Sydney to Cairns Campervan Hire
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Sydney to Cairns One Way Campervan Rental
Planning a trip from Sydney to Cairns? Did you know you can rent a campervan one way? Compare vehicles from several campervan hire companies offering one-way rentals from Sydney to Cairns.
Travelling in the opposite direction? You can aso rent a camper from Cairns to Sydney
Popular Campervans
Find the perfect camper for your travel needs.
Alpha 2-Berth
Spaceships
Automatic
Vivid Camper
Apollo
Automatic
4-Berth HiTop
Cruisin
Automatic
Condo
Jucy
Automatic · Porta-potty toilet
2-Berth Hitop
Hippie
Manual
6-Berth Frontier
Britz
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
Maverick 4WD (2 Berth)
Britz
Automatic
Campervan - 2 Berth
Leisure Rent
Automatic
Polaris 2
Star RV
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
Euro Quest
Apollo
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
2-Berth Deuce
Mighty
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
Beach Elite
Maui
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
Sydney to Cairns One Way Itinerary
This route from Sydney to Cairns is approximately 3,000 km and will take you along Australia’s east coast and up into Tropical North Queensland.
Part 1
Sydney to the Blue Mountains
Distance: 60-100 km
Estimated driving time: 1-1.5h
Things to see:
- Blue Mountains
- Opera House
- Harbour Bridge
- Bondi Beach
Part 2
Blue Mountains to Hunter Valley
Distance: 250-300 km
Estimated driving time: 3.5-4h
Attractions along the way:
- Barrington Tops National Park
- Wineries
Part 3
Hunter Valley to Port Macquarie
Distance: 240 km
Estimated driving time: 3-3.5h
Things to see on the way:
- Koala Hospital
- Tacking Point Lighthouse
- Lighthouse Beach
Part 4
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour
Distance: 150-170 km
Estimated driving time: 1.5-2h
Popular Attractions:
- The Big Banana
- Dorrigo National Park
- Muttonbird Island
- Butterfly House
Part 5
Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay
Distance 230-250km
Estimated driving time: 2.5-3h
Things to see:
- Cape Byron Lighthouse
- Tallow Beach
- Arakwal National Park
Part 6
Byron Bay to the Gold Coast
Distance: 100km
Estimated driving time: 1.5-2h
Popular attractions:
- Surfers Paradise
- Theme Parks
- Whale Watching
- Springbrook National Park
Part 7
Gold Coast to Brisbane
Distance: 80-100km
Estimated driving time: 1-1.5h
Things to see:
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
- South bank
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Queen Street Mall
Part 8
Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast
Distance: 100-150 km
Estimated driving time: 1.5-3h
Things to see:
- Australia Zoo
- Glasshouse Mountains
- Sealife Aquarium
- Noosa Beach
Part 9
Sunshine Coast to Hervey Bay
Distance: 180-200 km
Estimated driving time: 2.5-3h
Popular Attractions:
- Whale Watching
- Fraser Island
Part 10
Hervey Bay to Bundaberg
Distance: 100-150 km
Estimated driving time: 1-2h
Attractions along the way:
- Bundaberg Rum Distillery
- Musgrave Island
- Southern Great Barrier Reef
Part 11
Bundaberg to Rockhampton
Distance: 250-300 km
Estimated driving time: 3.5-4h
Things to see:
- Rockhampton Botanic Garden
- Japanese Garden
Part 12
Rockhampton to Airlie Beach
Distance: 450-500 km
Estimated driving time: 5.5-6h
Attractions along the way:
- Airlie Beach
- Whitsunday Islands
Part 13
Airlie Beach to Townsville
Distance: 250-280 km
Estimated driving time: 3.5-4h
Attractions:
- Reef HQ Aquarium
- Magnetic Island
- Billabong Sanctuary
Part 14
Townsville to Cairns
Distance: 340-380 km
Estimated driving time: 4.5-5h
Things to see:
- Great Barrier Reef
- Daintree Rainforest
- Kuranda Scenic Railway
Popular Attractions Along the Way
Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are located west of Sydney in NSW, Australia. The mountains, which are part of a national park, are located in an area offering many outdoor activities.
There are numerous hiking trails in the area, with some offering the opportunity to see the famous Three Sisters, an unusual rock formation that is considered a popular tourist attraction.

The Great Barrier Reef
When you’re in Cairns, it’s hard to miss the 1,429 miles long World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
No shortage of tour operators can deliver a day outing by boat, with opportunities to enjoy warm, calm water snorkelling and scuba diving, surrounded by the reef system’s – renowned vibrantly coloured marine life.
There are also glass-bottomed boats and submarine experiences, and options to suit everyone, including pontoons, stationed within the Outer Reef and various islands of the reef.

The Rainforest
Apart from the reef, the second most likely destination you’re likely to explore near Cairns is the Wet Tropics Rainforest, with two of the most popular day trips being Kuranda and Daintree.
Kuranda is a town on the Barron River, 15.5 miles from Cairns, with a scenic train and cableway making for an easy day out.
Known for its exceptional biodiversity, the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest (which contains Daintree National Park), north of Cairns, is part of the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest on the Australian continent, as well as the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.
Surfers Paradise
Located on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Surfers Paradise is a seaside neighbourhood famous for its beaches, skyscrapers and lively nightlife. The area is home to many of the Gold Coast's best restaurants and cafes, with many of the high-rise buildings offering spectacular views of the surrounding seaside.

Sydney Harbour Cruise
A view of the famous Opera House, iconic Harbour Bridge, and majestic Sydney skyline is often the highlight of a stay in Sydney, and seeing the unique perspective from the water truly shows off the city’s charm. Several long-time cruise operators offer sailings of varying lengths: short narrated sightseeing trips, brunch and dinner cruises, and whale watching excursions.
Theme Parks
The Gold Coast is home to some of Australia's best theme parks. Just a short distance from each other, you’ll find Warner Bros. Movie World, Dreamworld and Sea World as well as two water parks: Wet’n’Wild and WhiteWater World. The companies offer multi-day passes, giving you the opportunity to visit multiple parks over a few days.
Whale Watching
Every year between June to October, whales migrate along the east coast of Australia. The Gold Coast is a popular place to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. Many companies offer guided tours or cruises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any one-way rental fees?
Campervan rental companies may charge a one-way rental fee. If there is such a fee we will include it in the rental price listed in our comparison tool.
Can I travel in the opposite direction - from Cairns to Sydney?
Yes - simply use the search tool at the top of this page to check availability.
Where can I park overnight in Sydney?
It’s recommended you stay in a holiday park or designated campsite. Free camping is not allowed in the city itself and is only allowed at designated sites throughout Australia. Most caravan parks are located away from the city centre.
Some popular campsites include: NRMA Lakeside Holiday Park, Cattai National Park Campground and Patonga Camping Ground.
If you wish to explore Sydney CBD and other city attractions like Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach or the Opera House, plan ahead. It's best to avoid peak traffic hours and to plan where to park ahead of time, especially if you're in a large motorhome.
Can I pick up a campervan rental around the Northern Beaches?
Currently, all the major motorhome rental brands have their Sydney branch close to Sydney Airport, on the southside.
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.
















