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Motorhome hire rates in Cairns range anywhere from $45 to $300 per day for the majority of campers. Among other factors, costs depend on seasonality, duration of reservation as well as motorhome model. Vehicles range from compact campers such as the Spaceships Alpha to more spacious motorhomes like the Cruisin Deluxe.
Camping is a popular pastime in the Tropical North (and throughout Australia), so expect excellent campervan infrastructure. Water refills, dump points, laundry facilities, and well-equipped campgrounds are rarely more than a quick drive away.** Motorhome-friendly campsites span rustic national parks to scenic cattle-strewn farms and flashy caravan parks—there’s something for every budget and taste.
Alpha 2-Berth
Vivid Camper
Drift
Lucky Roamer
2-Berth Hitop
Trailfinder 4WD Camper
Safari Landcruiser 4WD
Paradise S&T
Cheapa Trailfinder 4x4
Trail Finder 4 1
Alpha 2-Berth
2-Berth Hitop
Trailfinder 4WD Camper
Safari Landcruiser 4WD
Cheapa Trailfinder 4x4
Warrior 4WD
Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.
Most campervan hires in Cairns cost between AUD $45 to $300 per day (most fees included).
Hire rates can vary depending on:
Most companies offer three vehicle types:
The basic cheap campervan hire has a fold-down couch or a rooftop tent. All come with a decent kitchen set-up to self-cater on the road. Splash out a little more for a high-roof model with an indoor kitchen—some include toilets and outdoor showers.
The 4WD camper hire is a must for intrepid explorers hitting rugged off-road tracks. Although you can venture further off the beaten path (think Cape York or the Bloomfield Track), you’ll have to make do with fewer luxuries. Expect rooftop or ground-based tents, a basic outdoor kitchen, and limited room inside.
A spacious luxury motorhome hire offers abundant space for two-to-four guests, plus in-built luxuries like indoor showers, toilets, and kitchens. However, these sizeable beasts cost more to hire and refuel and can sometimes become tricky to park.
The cheapest months for hiring a campervan in Cairns are usually April to September. This is also the cooler part of the year in Far North Queensland and the best time to travel.
While there are no campervan hires directly at the terminal at Cairns Airport (CNS), there are several campervan hire companies within 4–8 km (3–7 miles).
Many campervan hire depots are easy to reach by taxi or Uber.
There’s plenty of cause to explore Far North Queensland in a motorhome hire. You’ll venture between breathtaking sites at your own pace and camp overnight amid spectacular scenery—all this is super affordable, too.
Travelling in and around Cairns in a campervan hire entails a broad array of benefits:
Cost-effective: A camper is hands-down the most affordable way to explore Tropical North Queensland. As your accommodation and transport come rolled into one, you won’t have to fork out for pricey tours or hotels.
Self-catering: Not only will you save on transport and accommodation, but you’ll slash your daily food spend. Any respectable campervan has a fridge and kitchen, letting you save big bucks by cooking at “home.”
Convenience: Forget returning to the city once you finish sightseeing for the day. With a motorhome, you can cruise to the closest campsite and wake up within easy reach of tomorrow’s adventure. Less driving and more soaking up the sites.
Freedom: The flexibility of motorhome travel is tough to overstate. Choose where you’re going on a whim—there’s no need to stick to a set schedule.
Onboard amenities: Large motorhomes have top-end facilities like indoor showers, kitchens, couches, TVs, and comfy king-sized beds. Some are even more luxurious than what you’re used to at home.
Remember these helpful tips when driving around Cairns in a campervan hire:
A campervan provides an affordable alternative to the stock-standard hire car and hotel combo. A thrifty traveller can reduce expenses even further by following our top money-saving tips:
Book early: Like airlines, campervan rental companies base their prices on availability. Booking ahead can save you a considerable sum on your daily rate, especially during peak seasons.
Avoid peak seasons: Supply and demand mean prices skyrocket during busy times. Avoid school holidays, the Christmas/New Year period, and Easter to snag the best deal. As a neat bonus, you’ll explore pristine tropical landscapes sans the maddening mass-tourism crowds.
Book a low-cost camper: Do you need a pimped-out motorhome with all the bells and whistles? Settling for a budget-friendly rig will save you big on rental fees and fuel. There’s no harm in roughing it when you’re only on the road for a couple of weeks.
Reduce backtracking: Plan a tentative circular itinerary to minimise backtracking. Fuel will be one of your major on-road expenses, especially when rolling in a huge petrol-guzzling campervan. Aside from saving at the pump, you’ll spend less time driving and more time taking in the scenery.
Shop around for fuel: Download the Petrol Spy app to compare petrol station prices in real-time. Some are substantially more expensive than others.
Enlist a travel buddy: Campervan rentals and fuel cost the same, no matter how many people you’ve crammed in your rig. Finding an adventurous travel companion (or two) will do wonders for your wallet. Try posting your plans on social media if you don’t know anyone. Always vet potential applicants.
Free camp: While they’re not as prevalent as they once were, you can still find a few free campsites scattered around Far North Queensland. Roadside rest areas make for a handy free overnight sleep—bring a pair of earplugs for passing trucks.
Use low-cost campsites: You’ll pay a pretty penny for high-end caravan parks, especially those straddling the coast.
Cook: Eating out is expensive in Australia, and this far-flung region is no exception. Self-catering most meals will save you stacks of cash each day—good thing your camper comes with a well-equipped kitchen, fridge, and sink. Shop at big-name supermarkets (Woolworths and Coles) instead of the pricier small-town general stores.
BYO snorkel: Opportunities for offshore underwater exploration abound around Cairns. Bringing your snorkel and fins will save you money on rental costs.
Unlike Australia’s southern regions, where four distinct seasons are the norm, Far North Queensland experiences a wet season (November to March) and a dry season (April to October).
Most folks arrive during the Australian winter (June to August), which lands bang in the middle of the dry season. Balmy average highs of 26°C and near-perpetual sunshine make it the perfect time to explore the outdoors. Winter also sees calmer seas for sailing and snorkelling, plus the annual migration of the humpback whale.
In stark contrast, the Aussie summer (December to February) brings heavy rain to the region. Sticky humidity and sweltering highs of 31°C leave travellers drenched in sweat. But it’s not all bad. The “green” season sees flora bloom and waterfalls rage.
Spring (September to November) is the best time for spotting birdlife, including the elusive cassowary. Wrap up your holiday before November to avoid the “build-up,” a notoriously humid period leading into the Wet.
Autumn (March to May) becomes sunnier and drier towards the end of the season. Mid-April to May usually entails relatively pleasant weather. Plus, you’ll experience far thinner crowds (at least outside school holidays and Easter) than the winter peak.
It’s not just the sweaty weather you need to consider. Far North Queensland’s paradisiacal beaches receive millions of painful pests during the stinger season (November to May). The nippy waterborne creatures, known locally as Irukandji jellyfish, make beach swimming foolish without a full-body stinger suit or a government-installed stinger net.
The deadly box jellyfish also bobs around Tropical North beaches during stinger season—follow all warning signs and take utmost precautions. Although injuries are rare in deep water, reputable snorkelling tour providers offer stinger suits to play it safe.
Speaking of safety, Far North Queensland is crocodile country. Heed all warning signs, and don’t wander too close to remote estuaries, beaches, and lagoons.
Seasoned grey nomads (retired Australian travellers) insist you need at least three months to do the region justice. And while that type of timeframe is undoubtedly ideal, fast-paced travellers can admire the highlights in a week or two.
With one week in Cairns, check out the main sites in Cairns and jump on a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling trip. Then head inland across the Atherton Tablelands to chase waterfalls at the Millaa Millaa Circuit.
Cruise between charming tableland towns (Yungaburra is our top pick) and check out a few fabulous fig trees on your way to Kuranda. Drive the scenic Captain Cook Highway north towards Port Douglas. Next, head deep into the Daintree to meander amid monstrously tall trees and plunge into croc-free swimming holes.
Two weeks in Cairns will let you run a similar course, albeit with additional stops and scenic side trips. Worthwhile pit stops include the likes of Mount Hypipamee, Wooroonooran, Danbulla, Granite Gorge, Crater Lakes, Lake Placid, Davey’s Creek, and Babinda Boulders.
If experiencing the Australian outback excites you, the Undara Lava Tubes and Chillagoe Caves make for great side trips (allow 3.5 hours drive in each direction). Tranquil tropical beaches more your jam? Mission Beach is within easy reach (2 hours each way). En route, stop by Paronella Park for a fairy-tale-style Spanish castle and Etty Bay to camp with cassowaries on the beach.
If you’re keen to savour a slice of island life, jump on the morning ferry to Fitzroy Island and pull up a towel on Nudey Beach. Don’t fancy leaving paradise that same day? Overnight in the ritzy Fitzroy Resort or the rustic Fitzroy Campground.
You'll find plenty of places to park your motorhome in the city. Unlike Australia's crowded state capitals, Cairns has minimal traffic and plenty of spacious car parks.
The Cairns City Council provides free and paid on-street parking. Paid parking costs a reasonable $2 per hour and only applies to the CBD's most high-demand streets. The city's abundant free parking spaces often have two-hour limits during business hours.
If you'd like to park for free while enjoying a lovely sea view, head to the northern end of the Esplanade. The car parks around Petanque Court and Fun Ship Playground offer unrestricted daytime parking just yards from the water.
Queensland State laws prohibit sleeping overnight in a vehicle outside of a designated campsite. Furthermore, Cairns City Council has by-laws forbidding overnight stays on public roads within the jurisdiction.
Enforcement is strict in desirable areas such as beachfront car parks and the Esplanade but relatively lax in other places. Although most first-time offenders receive a warning, hefty fines can apply at any time.
There are no official free camps within Cairns city itself; camping on council land (including the Esplanade, parks and car parks) is prohibited. Most motorhome travellers prefer to pay for a Cairns caravan park to save time. NRMA Holiday Park is the closest site to the CBD, but you'll find half a dozen others scattered around town. Remember, nothing is ever more than 15 minutes away.
Thrifty travellers can find a smattering of designated free camps around Far North Queensland. Some of our tried-and-tested favourites include:
A modest nightly fee gives access to several stunning campsites around the region. Some of the most spectacular low-cost options include:
This 7-day itinerary offers a fantastic mix of city, beach, and nature experiences. You'll explore the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, discover ancient cultures and hidden waterfalls, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the tropical paradise of Cairns.
MORE: 7-Day Cairns Itinerary
Set off on an adventure through the breathtaking natural beauty and deep cultural history of Australia's Northern Territory as you journey from Cairns to Darwin in a cosy campervan. You'll have 14 days to immerse yourself in some of the most captivating destinations in the Australian outback, from stunning landscapes, quirky wildlife, and lively Aboriginal culture. Transcend from the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef to traversing the untamed terrain of Kakadu National Park, discovering all the hidden gems in between, and revelling in the unparalleled splendour of the Australian wild.
MORE: Cairns to Darwin Itinerary
This itinerary follows the coastline between the two major Queensland cities of Brisbane in the South East and Cairns in the Tropical North, and covers a distance of over 1,800 km. What will thrill you the most? Spectacular white-sand beaches? Outstanding mountain scenery? Unique Australian wildlife? In tropical Far North Queensland, the rainforest meets the Reef, so get ready for an epic road trip across one of the most beautiful coastlines in Australia.
MORE: Brisbane to Cairns ItineraryFree camping is only allowed at designated sites in Cairns, and overnight parking is generally prohibited. Staying at a holiday park or caravan park will generally cost about $50–$260 (AUD) per night.
Some popular campgrounds include: NRMA Cairns Holiday Park, Cool Waters Holiday Park and NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park.
It’s worth planning to spend several days in the Cairns area, as there’s a lot to explore within a relatively short distance from the city. To the south are the Atherton Tablelands with multiple waterfalls, to the west is Kuranda and Barron Gorge National Park, and to the north are Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest.
Of course, Cairns City itself is a great base for excursions into the Great Barrier Reef.
No, the road from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown in Far North Queensland is unsealed and can be challenging. Generally, companies restrict access to this area. Check with your rental company if you have any questions about restricted areas.
Generally, regular 2WD campervans are not permitted to travel to Cape York. Many companies make exceptions for 4WD campers, but written permission must be obtained first. Check with your rental supplier for any questions regarding restricted areas.
Most companies generally have a minimum rental period. Weekend rentals are possible, but the minimum rental period can range from one day to a full week, depending on the time of year.
Enter your dates in the comparison tool to see which vehicles are available for your travel dates.
Yes, a large number of companies allow for one-way hires. Our comparison tool will show you availability on your preferred route and automatically factor in any one-way fees charged by the supplier.
A one-way motorhome road trip starting or ending in Cairns is a popular way to explore the East Coast of Australia. Many travellers choose Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney or even Melbourne as the other end of their journey.
Popular stopping points for travellers along their way to Cairns include Mission Beach, Airlie Beach and Townsville.
As always, Australians generally need a full, valid Class C (car) licence (no learner’s permit) to hire a campervan in Cairns. Few campervan hire companies rent to drivers under 21. Some budget campervans may be available from 18 years old, but most motorhome hire requires you to be at least 21 with a full licence; drivers under 25 usually pay a young-driver surcharge. International travellers must show a full car licence from their home country. If it’s not written in English, you’ll also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official English translation.
Note: policies vary from supplier to supplier. Always check the T&Cs for your rental.
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