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Campervan Hire

Campervan Hire Handbook

Our Reservations team put together this guide to help you at every step of your campervan holiday, from planning and comparing vehicles to booking and travelling.

The handbook is organised by the stages of your trip. Start with the stage you're at. If this is your first campervan hire, follow the steps below. DriveNow compares campervans from rental companies across Australia. The rental company you book with supplies the vehicle, and its rental terms apply to your hire.

If you can't find what you need, contact our team or search the handbook.

Need help during your trip?

How campervan hire works

If you're new to campervan travel, these are the main steps:

  1. Search and compare. Enter your travel dates and pick-up and drop-off locations on DriveNow. You can compare vehicles, inclusions and prices from different rental companies side by side. Our guide to DriveNow's comparison tools shows how.
  2. Choose your vehicle. Pick a campervan that fits your group, budget and travel style. See types of campervans below for the main categories.
  3. Book. Complete your booking online. Depending on the rental company and how far away your pick-up date is, you'll pay nothing towards the rental, a deposit or part payment, or the full amount, as explained in deposits and payment. Decide whether you want insurance and excess reduction at this stage.
  4. Collect. Pick up your campervan from the rental company's branch. Staff will walk you through the vehicle, explain its features and complete the rental agreement. Bring your driver's licence and the other documents you need, and a credit card for the security bond.
  5. Travel. Stay at caravan parks, holiday parks or permitted free camps, depending on your vehicle and preferences. Our overnight parking guide explains where you can stay.
  6. Return. Drop off the vehicle at the agreed location, with a full tank of fuel and in the same condition you received it, to avoid additional charges.

Before You Book

Choose the right vehicle, check that every driver is eligible, and plan your dates, route and budget.

Booking Your Campervan

Compare quotes on a like-for-like basis, understand what the price includes, and decide on excess reduction and extras.

Managing Your Booking

Read your confirmation, pay the balance, request changes or cancel.

Picking Up Your Campervan

Know what to bring, when to arrive and what happens at the branch.

During Your Trip

Get help when something goes wrong, stay safe and legal on the road, and learn to use the van's power, water and other systems.

Returning Your Campervan

Plan your drop-off time and return the van in a condition that avoids extra charges.

Types of campervans

Campervans come in a wide range of sizes and layouts. These are the main categories you'll find when searching on DriveNow. For photos, features and a fuller explanation, see our types of campervans available guide.

2-berth hitop campervan

The most compact and affordable option. It's a high-roof van with a double bed, small kitchen (gas cooker, fridge, microwave) and water tank, but no bathroom. Hitops are easy to drive and park, so they suit couples on shorter trips or travellers who prefer to use campsite facilities. Available from rental companies including Apollo, Britz, Mighty and Mighty Lite.

2–3 berth campervan with shower and toilet

A step up from the hitop, these mid-size campervans include a bathroom with hot and cold shower and toilet. They have a full kitchen and a comfortable double bed, so couples or small groups can camp without relying on campsite bathrooms. Available from rental companies including Britz, Maui and Cruisin.

4-berth family campervan

Designed for families or groups of four, these campervans typically have two double beds (one over the cab and one converted from the rear dinette), a full kitchen, and a bathroom with shower and toilet. They're around 7 metres long and balance space with driveability. Available from rental companies including Apollo, Britz, Maui and Mighty.

6-berth motorhome

The largest option, sleeping up to six people across three double beds. These motorhomes have the most living space, with a full kitchen (some with four-burner stoves), separate living and sleeping zones, and a bathroom. At around 7.5 to 8 metres long, they need more confidence when driving and parking. Available from rental companies including Apollo, Britz, Maui and Mighty.

4WD campervan

Built for off-road travel, 4WD campervans are based on vehicles like the Toyota Landcruiser. They sleep two adults (sometimes more with roof or ground tents), with a pop-top roof, basic kitchen and external shower. They carry extra fuel and outback safety gear for unsealed roads and remote areas where standard campervans can't travel. Rental companies still restrict some tracks, so check road restrictions before planning your route. Available from rental companies including Apollo, Britz, Maui and Mighty.

When to book

Peak season in Australia runs from December to February (summer school holidays), with Easter and the July school holidays also in high demand. Popular vehicles, particularly 4WD campervans and 6-berth motorhomes, can book out well ahead during these periods.

Shoulder season (March–April and September–November) offers a good balance of pleasant weather and better availability, often at lower rates.

Off-peak (May–August) is the quietest period in southern Australia, though it is peak season for tropical destinations like Darwin and Cairns, where the dry season brings ideal weather.

If your dates are fixed or you need a particular vehicle, start looking as soon as you know your route and dates. Our guide to booking well in advance or close to pick-up explains the trade-offs, and the best time to travel covers each state and territory.

What does campervan hire cost?

The daily rate depends mainly on the vehicle type, the rental company, the season and the length of your trip. Larger vehicles with a bathroom cost more than a basic hitop, rates rise in peak periods, and longer hires often attract better daily rates. Some rental companies set a minimum hire period at busy times or on long one-way routes.

On top of the daily rate, budget for:

  • fuel, campsite fees and food
  • excess reduction, if you choose it
  • optional extras such as camping chairs or child seats
  • fees payable at pick-up, such as one-way fees where they apply

Our guide to understanding pricing explains how days are counted, when minimum hire periods apply, what the price includes and excludes, and how to check the charges in a quote. Search with your own dates and route to compare current prices across rental companies.

Campervan hire suppliers

You can compare vehicles from these Australian campervan and motorhome rental companies on DriveNow. Each company page describes its fleet. Our guide to how we rate rental companies explains the stars you see when comparing brands.

Self-drive itineraries

Whether you're travelling by car or motorhome, these self-drive itineraries, submitted by staff and past passengers, can help you plan your route.

More help

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Frequently asked questions

Our Australian campervan hire FAQs give short answers and point to the detailed guides above.