Melbourne RV Rental

Camper Champ compares multiple campervan rental companies in Melbourne.

Rental rates for motorhomes in Melbourne usually range from $20 to $30 per day. Costs will differ based on availability, length of reservation, and RV type. A wide range of vehicles is on offer - from smaller campers such as the Calypso Sturt to larger ones like the Maui River Elite.

Melbourne serves as a springboard for exploring Victoria, which has become one of Australia’s leading motorhome destinations. World-class RV infrastructure has sprung up to meet demand, with campsites, dump points, and water refills peppered throughout the state.

One-way rentals are also a popular option, with many travelers choosing to drive to Adelaide, up north to Sydney, or even Brisbane or Perth in Western Australia.

The cheapest months for renting a campervan in Melbourne are usually April through September. February and March are also reasonably priced, with daily rates spiking in December and January.

While there are no motorhome rental depots directly at the terminal at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine Airport), there are several campervan rental companies with their Melbourne branch within 3–38 km (2-24 miles) of the airport. JUCY, Calypso, and Let’s Go operate from off-airport depots, so plan to travel to the depot by taxi/rideshare or public transport (supplier options vary).

As we know, a campervan is the most cost-effective way to explore the highlights of Melbourne and beyond. Thrifty shoe-stringers can reduce expenses even further by following this curated list of money-saving tips.

• Avoid high season: Holiday parks and rental fees skyrocket during peak travel periods. The priciest times include Easter, Christmas/New Year, and Victorian school holidays.
• Book in advance: Campervan rental prices vary depending on what's available when you book. Like airfares, reserving early rewards well-organized travelers with better rates.
• Consider your vehicle: While a pimped-out motorhome is akin to "livin' the dream," do you really need all those lux extras? Opting for a budget-friendly campervan will slash your daily rental spend.
• Plan a route: Drafting a rough itinerary lets you minimize backtracking, saving you stacks of cash at the gas pump. As a nifty bonus, you'll spend less time driving and more time kicking back.
• Refuel strategically: Some Victorian gas stations charge more than others. Mobile apps like PetrolSpy let you compare rates, often in real-time.
• Travel with friends: Buddying up with a partner lets you share rental, campsite, and fuel expenses. If your BFFs aren't keen, consider seeking companionship on social media backpacker pages—always carefully pre-vet potential candidates.
• Find cheap campsites: Free and low-cost campgrounds abound in Victoria, especially in less-crowded inland regions.
• Self-cater: No need to fork out for expensive restaurants when you've got a fully-functional kitchen in your mobile home. Self-catering makes a massive difference to your daily budget.
• Look for free activities: Ticketed attractions entail high prices in Australia. Focusing on free stuff like hiking lets you savor Mother Nature on the cheap. If there's space in the camper, consider bringing a bike, inflatable kayak, or surfboard along for the ride.

The ideal seasons to explore Melbourne and Victoria in a campervan are fall (March to mid-April) and late spring (October and November). Balmy temperatures and thinner crowds make outdoor exploration ideal. Across these shoulder seasons, average daily temps are typically around 24°C / 10°C

Summer (average temps: 26°C / 15°C) is another excellent time to visit—the warm sunny weather sees the biggest influx of visitors to Victoria.

Coastal regions generally remain relatively comfortable thanks to sea breezes. Head inland, however, and you may hit hotter conditions. The exception is the Victorian High Country, where an elevated climate can keep temperatures cooler.

The downside is that peak summer demand means beaches and campsites can get busy, and school breaks often push campsite capacity to the brink.

Victoria isn’t a big winter destination for carefree RV travelers. Cooler temperatures (average 14°C / °6C) and more frequent rainy days can make camping a chore. Nonetheless, if you can handle less-than-perfect weather, you’ll often score cheaper rentals and a quieter trip.

As for festivals?

The warmer months (spring through early fall) see the most action. Big-ticket events include the Melbourne Cup (first Tuesday in November), New Year’s Eve celebrations (31 December), the Australian Open (mid-January to early February), the St Kilda Festival (February), the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (typically March), and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (late March to April).

Allow at least three full days to experience Melbourne's highlights, or more if you prefer to explore in-depth.

The ideal timeframe for a road trip from Melbourne depends on your destination.

Plan five days for the Great Ocean Road. Some do it quicker, but it's wise to take your time and savor the scenery at a relaxed pace.

The return trip east to Mallacoota should last about a week. Add on more time to cruise through our favorite High Country highlights.

The state's relatively small size means travel times are more manageable than elsewhere in Australia. But if you wish to discover all of Victoria's hidden gems, you'll need months of leave up your sleeve—there's no harm in making multiple trips.

First-time campervan renters should focus on a specific region rather than attempting to cover all corners of the state in one whirlwind trip.

Like any major city, parking in Melbourne can be a frustrating and expensive exercise, especially once you get close to downtown and other busy areas.

The City of Melbourne manages around 11,000 paid on-street parking spaces throughout the city. Downtown, many spaces have short time limits (often 1–2 hours) and can cost up to about $7 per hour, so always check the meter or sign for the current rate and limit. If that’s not enough time, the council also operates two off-street parking garages for longer stays—one at Council House (Little Collins Street) and another on Elgin Street (Carlton)—which are generally cheaper than many private downtown parking garages.

Council-run parking spaces outside downtown are usually cheaper (around $4 per hour or less for longer stays). A few signed free parking spaces still exist in inner-city suburbs like Fitzroy, Docklands, and Burnley, but these are limited and typically strictly time-controlled.

A wide range of private parking garages is available throughout the city, albeit at higher rates. Secure Parking lets you pre-book early bird specials for discounted all-day parking. Another handy resource is Parkopedia, which lists real-time availability and hourly rates across public and private spaces. Availability and pricing can change frequently, so it’s important to check on the day.

Due to the expense and hassle of parking a large campervan in the cramped city, many travelers prefer to pull up in an outer suburb and take public transport into town.

Victorian state laws don’t impose a blanket ban on sleeping in your vehicle. However, the City of Melbourne’s local laws treat sleeping in a vehicle on public land as “camping” and require a permit, so you should assume that overnighting on streets or in city parking lots is not allowed outside designated campgrounds or permitted areas.

You won’t find any official free campsites within the inner metropolitan region. For visiting downtown, the closest large campground is BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park in Coburg (about 9 km from the center), with several other RV parks scattered around the suburban fringe.

Many more options open up once you leave the city. Victoria has plenty of free camps scattered around the state, especially in its sparsely populated inland regions. Some of our favorite free spots include:

• Ada River Campground
• Plantation, The Grampians
• Reeves Beach
• Lerderderg Campground
• Mount Franklin Reserve
• Butts Reserve
• 90 Mile Beach
• Aysons Reserve

A moody rainforest-fringed road leads to this gem of a free camp hidden deep within Great Otway National Park. The first-come, first-served spot only accommodates a handful of sites, so get in early to snag one. Note: seasonal camping closure may apply.

Price: free (5 sites; non-bookable)

Main amenities: pit toilets, non-potable water (tank & tap; treat before drinking)

Overnight near the beach and an easy drive from the Penguin Parade at this BIG4/Ingenia RV park on Phillip Island. You won’t be roughing it for a second because this well-equipped RV park comes complete with plenty of family-friendly facilities.

Price: prices vary by season — check live rates when booking

Main amenities: restrooms, showers, electric hookup & no-hookup sites, trash bins, BBQ, game room, camp kitchen, laundry, WiFi

Take a look at little Wye on your Great Ocean Road adventure. This well-stocked Big 4 locale boasts all the bells and whistles and straddles the Wye River for a refreshing swim. Prefer the beach? It’s a two-minute walk away.

Price: from $39 per site per night (unpowered) / from $47 per site per night (powered)

Main amenities: restrooms, showers, water access (tap/hookup on powered sites), dump station, powered sites, camp kitchen, game room, laundry, WiFi

Camp near the water in comfort at Lake Eildon National Park’s best-equipped campground. Surrounded by tree-studded ranges, this sprawling watercourse is a hotspot for hikes and water activities. Don’t feel like paying the fee? Try the free camps on the other side of the lake.

Price: from $27.90 per site

Main amenities: restrooms, showers, potable water, fire pits, BBQ

High in the Cathedral Ranges lies Cooks Mill, a spectacular campground surrounded by dramatic mountains. If kicking back with a cold one doesn’t do it for you, work up a sweat on one of the several nearby hikes (the Southern Circuit is the pick of the bunch).

Price: from $15.60 per site per night

Main amenities: restrooms, fire pits

Less than 1.5 hours from Melbourne’s downtown, this leafy, eucalyptus-shrouded campground fills up with stressed-out city folks every weekend. To soak up some serenity, arrive midweek or wander through dense fern forests on the Cicada Circuit walking trail.

Price: from $15.60 per site per night

Main amenities: restrooms, fire pits, BBQ grills

Escape the daily grind with a relaxing stay at Johanna Beach. Located within the Great Otway National Park, this thickly forested region is a mecca for hikers and everyday nature lovers. Plus, the 12 Apostles is only a quick 50-minute drive away.

Price: from $15.60 per site per night

Main amenities: restrooms, non-potable water, dogs allowed

Set inside an ancient volcanic crater, this lush little free spot has you parked between towering pines. Stretch your legs on a tranquil four-hour hike or swing by Daylesford for charming small-town vibes. Arrive early to snag one of the flatter spots, and camp midweek to dodge the noise.

Price: no camping fee listed by Parks Victoria (first come, first served)

Main amenities: non-flush toilets, non-potable water (handwashing tank; seasonal), wood fireplaces (steel fireplaces), picnic tables, communal shelter

The Grampians is a hiking paradise, and this well-equipped campsite puts you right in the middle of it. Spacious, secluded sites mean your only neighbors will be marauding emus and kangaroos (lock up your food or lose it).

Price: from $15.60 per site per night

Main amenities: restrooms, showers, fire pits, non-potable water

Right in the center of the Prom, this convenient campground puts Victoria’s top national park at your doorstep. Norman Beach and Tidal River are just meters away, or you can hit the trails to take in the spectacular surrounding scenery. Book early, especially during peak season.

Price: from $33.80 per site per night

Main amenities: restrooms, showers, potable water, electric hookup sites, dump station, trash bins, BBQ grills, laundry

The two biggest cities in Australia! In this 7-day campervan itinerary, we’ll be exploring some of Victoria’s many attractions before heading north to Sydney, the capital of New South Wales and home of two world-famous icons: Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. This is a trip you’ll long remember, filled with uniquely Australian sights, sounds and experiences.

MORE: Melbourne to Sydney Itinerary

Victoria's Great Ocean Road is one of the most beautiful campervan road trips in all of Australia. Wonderful sights, sounds and experiences await you on the Great Ocean Road without having to rack up a huge mileage and spend many hours behind the wheel.

MORE: Great Ocean Road Itinerary

The two biggest cities in Australia! In this 7-day campervan itinerary, we’ll be exploring some of Victoria’s many attractions before heading north to Sydney, the capital of New South Wales and home of two world-famous icons: Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. This is a trip you’ll long remember, filled with uniquely Australian sights, sounds and experiences.

MORE: Victoria Silo Art Trail Itinerary