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Compare Campervan Rentals in Launceston

Campervan rental in Launceston is easy with our time-saving comparison tool. Compare major brands to get better prices and peace of mind with hassle-free bookings.

Camper Champ will help you compare multiple campervan brands in Launceston.

Daily rates for campervans in Launceston usually range from about $40 to $400. Prices are dependent on time of the year, length of reservation as well as camper type.

RV travel is popular in Tasmania. Excellent infrastructure like public dump points, water refill taps, and free campsites make motorhome exploration a breeze.

Other options for exploring Tassie include renting a campervan from Hobart, or picking one up in Devonport.

Popular Campervans in Launceston

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4-Berth 2019

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Leisure Rent 4-Berth HiTop

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Launceston Airport Campervan Hire

Can I rent a campervan at the airport in Launceston?

There are no campervan rental companies based within the terminal at Launceston Airport (LST). However, most depots are just a short drive away.

The three companies that operate near Launceston Airport all offer a complimentary shuttle service with your rental. Usually, shuttles must be booked in advance.

The Self-drive Holiday in Launceston

Renting an RV in Launceston is the best way to explore Northeast Tasmania and beyond for the following reasons:

  • Cost-effective: A campervan combines your accommodation and transport expenses into one.

  • Convenient: You won’t have to double back to your hotel. Just pull into the nearest campsite instead.

  • Freedom: Follow the whims of the road rather than a tight, pre-set itinerary.

  • Get back to nature: Chill out in a scenic campsite while staring at the stars—it sure beats a stuffy hotel room.

  • Onboard amenities: Food, water, fresh clothes, and charging points are right there within arm’s reach.

When embarking on a motorhome vacation, remember these essentials when driving around Tasmania:

  1. All traffic moves on the left-hand side.
  2. Seatbelts and child restraints are compulsory.
  3. Carry a valid driver's license when traveling.
  4. Drive clockwise on a roundabout.
  5. There are no toll roads in Tasmania.
  6. Watch for wildlife, especially around dawn, dusk and when traveling at night. Country roads and long stretches of open roads are notorious for crossing wildlife.
  7. The blood alcohol content limit is 0.05%.
  8. Unless otherwise signposted, a 31 mph speed limit applies to urban roads in Tassie, with the maximum speed limit being 62 mph for sealed rural roads. School zones also have speed limits reduced to 25 mph during certain hours on school days. Always pay attention to posted speed limit signs and adjust your speed accordingly.

Travel Tips for Launceston

How can you save money on a campervan vacation in Launceston?

A campervan is the cheapest way to explore Tasmania, and a savvy traveler can further reduce expenses through these money-saving tips.

  • Avoid peak seasons: Christmas, New Year, Easter, and school vacations see hordes of mainlanders flock to Tasmania. Avoid these periods for lower rental rates.

  • Book ahead: Reserving your camper early gives you access to the best deals.

  • Shop around: Use Camper Champ to compare the top Launceston rental companies and find the best possible deal.

  • Go small: A cozy, budget-friendly campervan costs much less to rent than a flashy, oversized motorhome.

  • Stick to one region: Circumnavigating the entire state will consume stacks of fuel. Stick to Northeast Tasmania to save.

  • Shop around for fuel: The PetrolSpy app lets you compare fuel prices between every service station in Tasmania.

  • Go back to Launceston: Returning your RV to Launceston sees you avoid pricey one-way drop-off fees.

  • Look for extras: The best campervan rental companies include camping chairs and other perks, so you don’t have to purchase these separately.

  • Cook: Self-catering will save you big bucks in Tasmania. Good thing you’ve got an onboard kitchen.

  • Find free camps: Locate free camps near you—Tasmania has a wide range.

  • Consider a park pass: A two-month National Park Holiday Pass often works out cheaper than single-entry tickets.

  • Hike: Tasmania is a bushwalking mecca, and hiking won’t cost you a dime.

When is the best time to go campervanning in Launceston?

Australia's most southerly state gets notoriously cold. With nothing separating Tassie from Antarctica, you can expect fickle weather and ferocious winds.

The exception is summer when balmy temperatures and abundant sunshine bless the island state. The most idyllic season runs between mid-December and mid-March, with average daily highs and lows of 73°F and 52°F in Launceston. Extended daylight (up to 15 hours per day) and minimal rainfall beckon lengthy outdoor exploration.

Summer, however, attracts the thickest crowds, especially during the Christmas and New Year period and January school holidays.

The spring and autumn shoulder seasons get a bit too nippy for most mainland Americans. Still, if you're accustomed to the cold and don't mind bundling up, neither season is a terrible time to travel (aim for March and November).

Spring brings blooming greenery, while autumn sees the foliage turn. Expect average highs and lows of around 66°F and 45°F in Launceston, or even colder as you get closer to winter (i.e., May/September).

Winter is the low season for RV travel as rainfall drenches the island and the mercury plummets. Average highs and lows hover at a teeth-chattering 52°F / 39°F in Launceston, with sub-zero temperatures (and heavy snowfall) typical in the highlands. To stay warm, rent a motorhome with a heater and book holiday parks to plug into their 240v power.

How long do you need in Launceston and Northeast Tasmania for an RV vacation?

One to two weeks is a reasonable timeframe for a campervan trip around Northeast Tasmania.

Launceston only needs a day, and you can cover the Tamar Valley in one or two. The East Coast, however, has a seemingly endless selection of jaw-dropping beaches and lush forested reserves. It's wise to spend more time here.

Due to its small size, it's possible to explore other areas of Tasmania in a single, one-to-two-week trip. But you'll need to focus on the highlights.

If you plan on spending more time in the south or west, you might be better off renting a campervan in Hobart or Devonport instead.

Wherever you go, know that the rugged mountainous terrain makes drive times longer than anticipated. Add 20% to the timeframe your GPS suggests.

Parking a Campervan in Launceston

What are some of the best places to park a campervan in Launceston?

Parking can be hard to find in Launceston’s tightly-packed CBD. Available spaces cost between $1 and $3 per hour, paid via the EasyPark app or cash/card on an on-site ticket machine.

The City of Launceston has published a comprehensive list of its parking locations and fees. Free, unrestricted parking is available in some outer suburbs, but you’ll have to take public transport into town. See the City of Launceston online parking maps for more information.

Unfortunately, Launceston has no large parking bays reserved for big RVs. It’s legal to park across two spaces, though you must pay for both when fees apply.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of inner-city parking, leave your rig at the Inveresk Car Park ($2.50 per hour) and take the free Tiger Bus service between the top city attractions.

Where can you park an RV overnight in Launceston?

The City of Launceston prohibits sleeping overnight in a vehicle outside of a designated campground.

The best campground in Launceston is Old Macs Caravan and Motorhome Farm Stay, which offers affordable (from $15) waterfront sites just a 10-minute drive from the CBD. If it's full, you could try the BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park, Discovery Parks Hadspen, or Launceston Holiday Park.

The closest free camp to Launceston is the Prince of Wales Hotel in Evandale, a 20-minute drive away. Guests should repay the favor by purchasing a meal or beer at the hotel.

How much does it cost for a campervan to enter a national park in Tasmania? Are any permits required?

A valid park pass is required to visit any of the 19 National Parks in Tasmania.

The Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania charges an exorbitant single-entry day pass fee of $41.20 per vehicle for almost all its national parks. The exception is Cradle Mountain, which costs $25.75 for the day.

But budget travelers needn't worry. The price structure is merely a strategy to steer sales towards the national park holiday pass. For $82.40, you can get two months of vehicle entry into every Tasmanian park. Therefore, the holiday pass will pay for itself if you visit at least two protected areas.

Tasmanian park pass options are:

  • $41.20 per vehicle for a daily pass valid for up to 24 hrs (excluding Cradle Mountain)

  • 82.40 per vehicle for a holiday pass valid for up to 2 months (including Cradle Mountain)

Annual and two-year passes cost slightly more and include discounts for seniors. No discounts are available on the holiday or single-entry passes.

  • Pro tip: It's cheaper for a pensioner to purchase a discounted annual pass than a two-month holiday pass.

Most Tasmanian national park campgrounds are free. The exceptions cost between $7 and $16 per site per night, paid in person with cash upon arrival. Honeymoon Campground in Freycinet is so popular you must enter a ballot system to snag a spot during peak season (Christmas, New Year, and Easter).

Top 10 Campervan-friendly Campgrounds near Launceston

Don't settle for a run-down vacation park or trash-filled rest area. These epic Northeast Tasmanian campsites will blow you away.

Bakers Point, Narawntapu National Park

For beachfront camping without the crowds, head straight to Bakers Point. This charming little Narawntapu site welcomes more pademelons (small kangaroo-like creatures) than tourists.

Price: from $13 per site per night

Amenities: restrooms, non-drinking water, trash cans, dump station

Bay of Fires, Bay of Fires

Six amazing Bay of Fires campgrounds put you within feet of its famous orange-tinted rocks. Get in early to secure a nice site, especially during the busy summer months.

Price: free

Amenities: restrooms

Friendly Beaches, Friendly Beaches

Not far north of Freycinet, this famous beach camp has earned a legendary reputation for its epic ocean views. Arrive in the morning because the first-come-first-served site fills up fast.

Price: free

Amenities: restrooms

Lilydale Falls Reserve, Lilydale

This leafy little spot offers a peaceful stopover for road trippers exploring the east Tamar Valley. Access to the falls is via a quick rainforest hike from your campsite.

Price: free

Amenities: restrooms, trash cans, bbq

Old Macs Caravan & Motorhome Farm Stay, Launceston

Waterfront sites for a rock bottom price just ten minutes drive from Lonnie—what more could you want? Old Macs is by far the best place to overnight in the city.

Price: from $15 per site per night

Amenities: restrooms, potable water, powered sites, trash cans, dump station

Pub in the Paddock, Pyengana

Home to Priscilla, the beer-drinking pig, this cheerful farmyard tavern has been pouring pints since 1880. Grab a plate of delicious pub food and wash it down with an ice-cold beer.

Price: free

Amenities: Wi-Fi

Pondering Frog Café, Bicheno

Just a stone's throw from Bicheno, this popular donation-only campsite has a quirky on-site gift shop and cafe (try the ice cream). Say "hello" to the legendary owner, Lester—he's quite the character.

Price: donation

Amenities: drinking water, trash cans

Scottsdale Northeast Park

Duck-filled ponds, fern-lined walks, and colorful flower gardens help make this fantastic free camp put Scottsdale on the map.

Price: donation

Amenities: restrooms, showers, drinkable water, trash cans, BBQ, dump station

Tasman Holiday Parks, St Helens

The best place to stay in St Helens, this tidy vacation park has excellent amenities, delicious pizza, and a convenient location by the beach.

Price: from $44 per site per night

Amenities: restrooms, showers, potable water, powered sites, trash cans, barbecue, games, camp kitchen, laundry, dump point

Watermill Cottage Campground, Yorktown

An excellent choice on the west side of the Tamar, this quaint campsite features a reflective pond with a pint-sized watermill.

Price: from $10 per site per night

Amenities: fire pits

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of license do you need to hire a campervan in Launceston?

Australians need a full and valid (no Learner, Provisional, or Probationary) class C car license to rent a camper in Launceston. International travellers must have an International Drivers Permit or an English translation of a comparable foreign license.

Drivers under 21 can’t rent a camper in Australia. If you’re under 25, you’ll need to pay a young driver surcharge.

Many rental agencies don’t allow driving on unsealed roads (i.e., the southern parts of Bruny or Cockle Creek). Double-check your route with the company before you go.

Is it better to rent a motorhome in Launceston or in Hobart?

The majority of motorhome rental companies in Tasmania have their branch located in Hobart, so you'll find a wider selection of rental vehicles available there.

Can the RV be fitted with a bike rack?

Not many rental RVs in Australia accommodate a bike rack. Let’s Go Motorhomes allows and hires bike racks (on motorhomes only) while Jucy allows but does not hire bike racks. There is also the option to store a bike inside a larger motorhome rental from Apollo, Cheapa Campa, and Hippie. It’s worth noting that bikes should be kept in a bag if stored inside and extra care should be taken if bringing your own bike rack, where it is allowed

Are one-way rentals possible in Tasmania?

Yes, the most popular route is Hobart to [Launceston]((australia/launceston) (or in the opposite direction). Vehicles can also be picked up in Devonport, though the choices there are limited.

Most companies in Tasmania are located in Hobart, and hence the largest selection of campers is available there. As a result, many travelers decide to do a full circuit of the island, traveling one way along the east coast and the other along the west coast of the island.

This allows you to see many of Tasmania's popular tourist attractions, starting with visitor favorites Mount Wellington and Salamanca Market in Hobart City, through the Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet National Park, and Wineglass Bay on the east coast, to Cradle Mountain and the Tamar Valley up north and the Gordon River along the rugged west coast.

Can additional drivers be added to the RV rental agreement?

Yes, it’s standard for most companies to allow an additional driver. This driver and any others must be named on the rental agreement and there may be a nominal fee.

Additional drivers must also hold an appropriate driver’s license and must meet driver age requirements.

Do I have to pay a bond (security deposit) when renting my vehicle?

When renting a vehicle, it is standard to be charged a bond (security deposit), also known as ‘excess’, which is the amount the renter is liable to cover in the event of an accident or damage to the vehicle. The bond amount fluctuates based on the insurance package selected at the time of rental and is charged and debited on the renters’ credit or debit card.

Note: policies vary from supplier to supplier. Always check the T&Cs for your rental.

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