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Compare multiple campervan hire companies in Alice Springs. Several depots are located a short drive from Alice Springs Airport (ASP).
The hire cost for a campervan in Alice Springs is around $40-$420/day for most campers. Prices are dependent on seasonality, length of trip and campervan model among other factors. The range of offered vehicles includes affordable models like the Campervan Village Aventus 2 and larger motorhomes such as the Apollo Euro Deluxe.
The magic of the outback and a strategic central location make Alice a thriving motorhome destination for long-distance lappers and short-term holidaymakers alike. As a result, you’ll find excellent campervan infrastructure around the region, including dump points, water refills, and scenic campsites.
Spirit 2 T/S Ultima
Trailfinder 4WD Camper
Outback 4WD Camper
Safari Landcruiser 4WD
Cheapa Trailfinder 4x4
Trailfinder 4WD Camper
Outback 4WD Camper
Safari Landcruiser 4WD
Cheapa Trailfinder 4x4
Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.
Most campervan hires in Alice Springs cost between AUD $40 to $420 per day (most fees included).
Hire rates can vary depending on:
Hire companies offer three main camper types in Alice Springs:
The budget-friendly campervan has a fold-out couch and a slide-out kitchen for self-catering. Fancier models might have toilets or a high roof to stand inside.
The 4WD camper lets you explore rugged off-the-beaten-track locales like Palm Valley and the Mereenie Loop. On the downside, you’ll have to contend with limited space and basic amenities.
A motorhome refers to a larger, more luxurious vehicle with most of the amenities of a home. Expect an indoor kitchen, a spacious lounge room, and an en suite with a hot water shower.
The prices for renting a campervan in Alice Springs are steady throughout the year. However, May and June usually have slightly cheaper rates compared to the rest of the year.
A 4WD is not required to explore the wonders of the great outback. In fact, 95% of the Northern Territory's attractions are accessible by 2WD vehicles, such as motorhomes and campervans, because of the extensive network of sealed highways. Motorhomes and campervans must strictly adhere to driving only on sealed roads.
If you are new to campervanning, visiting Alice for the first time or travelling with family, we recommend using a motorhome or campervan. Getting around this way provides more flexibility.
Generally, 4WD campers may only be driven on recognised public roads and formed tracks (sealed or unsealed). Off-road driving is not permitted. In some cases, you can request written approval to access specific areas or routes and this must be arranged in advance.
In addition to unsealed roads, hire companies often restrict certain roads or tracks that are known to be especially rough, remote, or risky. If you drive into a restricted area, you may be liable for any damage and recovery costs, and your cover/insurance may be reduced or void. You may also be charged additional fees by the hire company, and if local regulations are breached, authorities may issue fines.
If you’re unsure whether a particular road or area is permitted, it’s best to contact the hire company before you travel.
For 4WD vehicles, a daily mileage allowance usually applies (around 300 km). After that, additional fees will apply.
The comparison tool will show which vehicles have unlimited kilometres and limited free mileage. Consult the rental agreement of the supplier for further details.
Some 4WD campers are equipped with a roof tent and self-inflating sleeping mats. This means that the vehicle doesn't have sleeping space inside. Instead, a tent is mounted on top of the campervan, which then can be set up for overnight camping.
For example the Britz Safari 4WD Camper (based on a Toyota Landcruiser) is mounted with a double-bed rooftop tent. The tent also has an annex with space for up to three more people.
Other 4x4 campervan rental models have a pop up roof (pop-top campers) allowing for beds to be located within the motorhome itself.
While there are no campervan hires directly at the terminal at Alice Springs Airport, there are several campervan hire companies in the city within 2–19 km (1–12 miles).
The depots are easily accessible by taxi or public transport.
Renting a camper in Alice Springs is the most convenient and cost-effective way to explore the Red Centre.
Here’s why you should hire a motorhome for your upcoming outback adventure:
Affordable: While hotel rooms cost a fortune in outback Australia, a camper lets you roll your transport and accommodation expenses into one.
Convenient: A camper lets you easily access all your essentials. You can also minimise drive times by pulling up at a nearby campsite instead of returning to your hotel.
Flexibility: A motorhome lets you explore the Red Centre on your own terms. No need to construct rigid itineraries—you’re free to bounce around the outback on a whim.
A closer connection with nature: Stop overnight in scenic campsites and drift off to sleep while gazing at the stars. A kitted-out camper brings you closer to nature than a hotel ever could.
Amenities: From fresh food to clean clothes (and maybe even a hot shower), all the amenities you need are right there in the vehicle with you.
When embarking on a motorhome holiday, remember these essentials when driving in the Northern Territory:
Renting a campervan in Alice Springs will save you stacks of cash compared to the traditional hotel / hire car combo.
A thrifty outback traveller can reduce expenses even further with the following money-saving tips:
Find early-bird specials: The early bird gets the discounted worm. Most rental agencies offer cut-price deals for travellers who book well in advance.
Compare prices: A comparison tool like Camper Champ lets you weigh up your options and find cheaper rates.
Avoid peak season: Demand outstrips supply in peak season. Snag a favourable rate by travelling outside the school holidays.
Go small: While a massive motorhome offers next-level luxury, it’ll cost substantially more to rent and refuel. Many travellers find a budget-friendly campervan sufficient for a quick Red Centre trip.
Ask about added extras: The best companies include camping chairs and cooking utensils. These add-ons mean you won’t have to purchase any last-minute camping gear.
Extend your stay: Some companies offer discounts for long stays of a week or more. Extra time lets you minimise your daily expenses and explore the region in more depth.
FIFO: Making the 3,000 km return trip from Darwin or Adelaide will cost you a fortune in fuel and waste 30+ hours of your life. Instead, fly in / fly out of Alice Springs and hire a camper from there.
Weigh up one-way rentals: A one-way rental from Alice Springs to Yulara (Uluru) is generally not available for campervan rentals, or may involve a hefty one-way fee. Many travellers find it’s worth returning their vehicle to Alice Springs.
Reduce backtracking: Vast distances and astronomic petrol prices make refuelling a considerable expense. Plan a rough route that minimises backtracking to save at the bowser. The exception is the Mereenie Loop, where you’ll have no choice but to backtrack a long way (unless you’ve got a 4WD).
Refuel strategically: Fuel costs a fortune in the outback, and not all service stations offer similar rates. Use a comparison tool like PetrolSpy to compare prices in real-time.
Free camp: Free campsites lie peppered along lonely outback highways.
Self-cater: Restaurants don’t come cheap in this isolated, inhospitable part of Australia. Load up on fresh groceries in Alice Springs and cook your meals to keep the budget on track.
Bushwalk: Helicopter, ATV, and Segway tours are also quite pricey in the outback. Aside from your national park pass, hiking is 100% free, and you’ll see the same scenery.
The Red Centre has a harsh, changeable climate with cold winters and sweltering hot summers.
The best time to visit is during the mildest months of late autumn (April–May) and late winter / early spring (August–September). Warm daytime temperatures and pleasant nights make for the most comfortable touring. Expect average highs and lows of 23°C / 8°C in May and 23°C / 6°C in August.
Winter is another great time to visit, but bring plenty of warm layers because early mornings can dip below 0°C. July, for example, has average daily highs and lows of 20°C / 4°C.
A Red Centre summer is—as you can probably imagine—horrendously hot. January averages hover around 36°C / 21°C, with midday temperatures that can exceed 40°C. If you decide to hike in summer, pack plenty of water and set off before sunrise.
Domestic tourists visit the Red Centre from all corners of the country, so school holidays can be tricky to avoid (most Australian states have different term dates). Overall, however, expect to see more holidaymaking families during late April, late June, late September, and the Christmas / New Year’s period.
Worthwhile Red Centre events include Parrtjima – a Festival in Light (April), Wide Open Space (late April/early May), the Alice Springs Cup Carnival (April–May), the FabALICE Festival (March), the Alice Springs Beanie Festival (June), and the Finke Desert Race (June).
The ideal length for a motorhome adventure around Alice Springs is five to ten days.
It’ll only take you a day or two to check out the galleries and other attractions in Alice Springs.
Avid hikers will want to spend at least five days trampling around the top MacDonnell Ranges trails. Add more time to tackle a few Larapinta sections (the full route takes about two weeks) or any remote 4WD tracks.
Allow at least four full days for a round trip visiting Kings Canyon and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park—don’t underestimate the drive times.
Home to 33,000 people, Alice Springs is a small city with plenty of parking.
The Alice Springs Town Council operates numerous car parks and parking bays throughout the city, almost all of which are free. Many are spacious enough to accommodate large motorhomes. If you’re struggling to find space for a large motorhome, try the ANZAC Oval or Stuart Memorial Park.
To help prevent theft, avoid leaving your campervan in an isolated area for a long stretch, even during the day.
Sleeping in a vehicle outside of a designated campsite is actively discouraged in the Northern Territory. In Alice Springs, camping/occupying/residing in a public place (including in a vehicle) between 9pm and 9am requires a permit.
Furthermore, while Alice Springs is relatively safe during the day, the town has a reputation for being dangerous at night. Crime after dark should be enough to discourage you from free camping on a random street—or leaving your vehicle unattended for multiple days.
Thankfully, Alice Springs has a wide selection of secure caravan parks in and around the city. Some popular options include Temple Bar, G’day Mate Tourist Park, and Discovery Parks. Nightly rates vary by season and site type; at Discovery Parks, nightly fees range from $32 per night for an unpowered site to $47 for a powered site.
There are no legal free camps within the city. The closest heading north is the Tropic of Capricorn Rest Area (29km) and the Mt. Polhill Rest Area (61km) going south. The nearest free camp to Uluru is Sandy View Roadside Rest Area (50km).
You’ll find an impressive selection of spectacular campsites scattered around the region, both free and paid. Some of our favourite Red Centre free camps include:
Point Howard Lookout
Neil Hargrave Lookout
Ginty’s Lookout Camp
Salt Creek Rest Area
Kernot Range Rest Area
Curtin Springs
Desert Oaks Rest Area
Uluru is located around 450 km from Alice Springs. This means the drive from Alice Springs to Uluru will usually take around five hours depending on the route you decide to take. There are plenty of campsites in the area which gives you the opportunity to spend a few days exploring the area.
Most people like to visit in the cooler months between May and September, when the average temperature is around 25°C and there is little rain. August and September also give you the chance to see colourful wildflowers in bloom.
In the warmer months (October to March), daytime temperatures can exceed 35°C, with frequent storms making it a much less pleasant experience. If you’re visiting during summer, be sure to read up on conditions in advance and prepare accordingly.
Alice Springs—the heart of Australia’s Red Centre. Over the next seven days, we'll take you on a journey through this beautiful region, showcasing some of the best experiences and activities available in this vibrant desert town.
MORE: 7-Day Alice Springs Itinerary
To get the most out of your trip across the country, we’ve put together a 9-day itinerary that absorbs a mix of world-famous landmarks and secret hidden gems. This campervan journey from the Northern Territory to South Australia is a must for any wannabe explorer.
MORE: Alice Springs to Adelaide Itinerary
Snake along the Stuart Highway as you traverse between the NT’s two main towns. See Katherine, Kings Canyon and even Uluru before reaching the quirky town of Alice Springs in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre.
MORE: Alice Springs to Darwin ItineraryYes, it’s standard for 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 licence and must meet driver age requirements.
Yes, many options are available. Some popular choices include the Ayers Rock Campground (close to Uluru), Alice Springs Tourist Park and the BIG4 MacDonnell Range.
Most campervan rental companies in Australia require the driver to be 21 years of age or older to rent from their full range of vehicles.
Some companies will rent to drivers aged 18 to 21, but only certain models may be available. A couple of companies have higher age requirements: 23 (Leisure Rent) and 24 (Captain Billy’s). Enter the driver’s age in our search tool and we will filter available vehicles to match.
For young drivers, additional insurance may be required and special conditions may apply.
Aussie travellers need a valid, full Class C (car) licence to hire a campervan in Alice Springs—no Ls, Ps, or probationary licences allowed. Overseas visitors will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an English translation of a comparable licence. You’ll usually need to be 21 or older to hire a campervan in Alice Springs, but some vehicle types/models allow drivers 18+ with a full licence (check the supplier’s terms). Drivers under 25 may pay a young-driver surcharge depending on the hire company. Most hire companies don’t want you taking their vehicles on rugged, unsealed roads. Always confirm the policy before venturing off the tarmac.
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 renter's credit or debit card.
Terms and conditions vary by rental company; however, most companies do not charge a fee if the cancellation is made three months prior to pickup (including Maui, Britz, Apollo, Cheapa Campa, StarRV, Hippie and Mighty). The closer the date to picking up the vehicle, the higher the cancellation fee will generally be.
Deposit amounts may not be refundable.
With the COVID-19 outbreak affecting many travellers’ plans in 2020, many suppliers have updated their cancellation policies.
To cancel a booking, contact our friendly support team via the Support Page.
Note: policies vary from supplier to supplier. Always check the T&Cs for your rental.
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