In a nutshell
- We’ve already done two camper trips in Australia — once as a couple and once with a toddler. For us, Australia is THE destination for a campervan road trip.
- The infrastructure is so good that even complete beginners can manage just fine — wide roads, tons of campgrounds, and great apps to find the best spots.
- Choosing the right camper isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. We’ll walk you step by step through everything you need to look out for — from vehicle type to insurance to family-specific tips.
- There are brokers who will find and book the right camper for you — completely free of charge and with no extra cost to you. Our recommendation: Camperoase.
Introduction: Why Australia Is Perfect for a Camper Road Trip
We’re not really campers. Quite the opposite, actually — we’re big fans of not camping.
Our travel friends, however, made it pretty clear that you can’t go to Australia without trying at least one camper trip.
What can we say: we’ve now done two camper road trips through Australia — once in a classic motorhome and once in something in between a camper and a motorhome, a Sprinter van with a small kitchen, shower, and toilet.
Australia is incredibly beginner-friendly: wide roads, well-developed routes, and countless campgrounds — from large chains to small, genuinely beautiful spots right on the water. Free camping is even possible in many places, of course with clear rules.
In this article, we’ll show you what to keep in mind when planning, which vehicle really suits you, and what costs to expect — based on our own experiences.
Our Experiences
We’ve done two campervan road trips through Australia and will give you a quick overview here of which camper we had, which route we drove, and what the camper cost us per day.
Camper Road Trip: Perth - Albany

Where? Southwest Australia
Route: Perth – Margaret River – Denmark – Albany – Perth
Who: 2 adults
Booked through: Directly with Britz
Provider: Britz
Vehicle: Frontier 6BB
Duration: 8 days
Price per day: 200 AUD
Our experience:
The motorhome was great quality. We slept in the alcove and had a large sofa, a table, and a really well-equipped kitchen down below.
It was too big for us, though, and we weren’t used to driving such a large vehicle. Maneuvering in campgrounds was a challenge at first, but manageable.
We quickly realized we were happy to forgo the luxury and would have preferred something in between a motorhome and a camper van.
Camper Road Trip: Perth - Esperance

Where? Southwest Australia
Route: Perth – Margaret River – Denmark – Albany – Bremer Bay – Esperance – Wave Rock – Perth
Who: 2 adults + 1 child (12 months)
Booked through? Via Camperoase
Provider: Let’s go Motorhomes
Vehicle: 2+1 Berth Escape
Duration: 28 days
Price per day: 190 AUD
Our experience:
We absolutely did not want a large motorhome, but we also didn’t want a tiny mini camper. After all, there were three of us, including our 1-year-old son.
What we wanted: a large bed that all three of us could comfortably share, a small kitchen, a toilet, and the option for our son to sit up front in the cab in a car seat.
We searched high and low and were so grateful when a friend recommended Camperoase to us.
Our contact at Camperoase, Till, told us that the camper provider Let’s Go had just added a brand-new 2+1 Berth Escape to their lineup — and that it was exactly what we were looking for.
At the time, there was only one of these vehicles in existence, and we were lucky it hadn’t been booked yet.
We’ll explain exactly how Camperoase works in our tips for first-time campers. So keep reading.
Our Top Tip for Beginners: Renting a Camper for the First Time
#1 Start small if you can
Nobody’s born knowing how to camp. If you have no experience at all and don’t necessarily need a lot of luxury, go with a camper van or a small motorhome for your first trip — a Sprinter, for example. That said, if you really want the luxury of a full motorhome, you can absolutely make it work.
#2 Don’t drive far on day one
Take your time settling in, unpack your camper or motorhome, and get familiar with everything — how do you empty the toilet, what do all the buttons do, and so on. We recommend spending the first night close to the rental station. If something turns out to be wrong with the camper, you’re not stranded in the middle of your trip.
#3 Get free advice
There’s actually a company where you can get free, no-obligation advice on the question “Which camper should I rent?” They don’t just help you choose — they also book the camper for you, without you paying any more than you would directly through the provider.
No joke! Unfortunately, we only discovered this before our second camper trip through Australia. More on that in the next section.
Our top tip for first-time campers
Get free, no-obligation advice from Camperoase
What is Camperoase? A booking service for camper vans and motorhomes worldwide
- they compare different providers and models for you
- give you personal, free advice on routes, vehicle selection, and features
- help you find and book the right camper
- and know the important details that are easy to overlook yourself (car seat compatibility, insurance, or 2WD vs. 4WD)
Our experience with Camperoase
Honestly: if we’d known about Camperoase earlier, we would have saved ourselves a lot of stress on our first trip — and probably still ended up in an oversized motorhome.
You can of course wade through providers, models, and insurance options on your own. Or you can just get help for free. Sounds too good to be true? Yeah, we thought so too. But that’s exactly what Camperoase does.
And no — we don’t get paid for recommending them here.
We just genuinely think it’s great.
Get free advice from Camperoase.
How to Rent a Camper: A Step-by-Step Overview
- Which route will you drive?
- What features do you want?
- Which camper?
- Ask yourself the most important questions before booking
- Find the right provider
- What insurance do you need?
- The camper pickup
And we’re going to walk through all 7 steps with you right now.
Which Route Will You Drive?
In almost every major city, you can rent camper vans or motorhomes. But not every provider operates everywhere, and not every model is available at every location.
That’s why your first step should be figuring out which route you want to drive — and only then choosing the right camper.
What Features Do You Want?
Before you decide on a vehicle, think about what really matters to you.
- Size: Do you feel comfortable in a large motorhome, or would you prefer something more compact?
- Living area: Do you want to be able to sit and eat inside?
- Bathroom: Do you need your own toilet and shower?
- Bed: Do you want to convert your bed every day (seating area by day / bed by night), or would you prefer a fixed bed?
- Details: Are mosquito nets and blackout blinds important to you?
- Free camping: Do you want to free camp? Then your camper needs to be “self-contained” (with a wastewater and toilet system).
Which Camper?
Here we list the most common camper models. Depending on the provider and location, there are of course additional variations.
Sleepervan

A sleepervan is basically a regular van with a built-in bed in the back — often just a larger station wagon or panel van.
- easy to drive
- affordable
- low fuel consumption
- little space and barely any storage
- designed for sleeping only
- no kitchen, no bathroom or shower
Campervan

- easy to drive
- standing room & seating area
- usually a small kitchen
- easy to park
- less comfort
- no shower/toilet
Small Motorhome - Sprinter

This type of small motorhome is often also called a 2 Berth or 2+1 Berth (the +1 stands for +1 child).
- a great compromise between comfort and drivability
- kitchen, seating area, and bed
- usually a toilet and shower
- no lounge area unless you convert it every day
Classic Motorhome

- lots of space and comfort
- fixed bed (no converting)
- fully equipped (toilet, shower, kitchen, AC)
- harder to drive and park
4WD Camper with Rooftop Tent
- access to remote locations and beaches
- super flexible
- less comfort
- rooftop tent needs to be set up and taken down while traveling
What Questions Should You Ask Before Booking?
If you decide not to book through a service like Camperoase, you’ll need to keep a few important things in mind yourself. So you don’t miss anything, here are the questions that matter most to us.
- Insurance: What do you actually need, and how high is the deductible?
- Fuel consumption: How much does the camper realistically use?
- One-way rental: Does it cost extra to return the camper to a different location?
- Mileage: Is there a limit, or are all kilometers included?
- Vehicle age: How old are the vehicles on average?
- Additional drivers: Are extra drivers included or do they cost extra?
- Extras: What’s included in the price (e.g., camping chairs, table)?
- Self-contained: If you want to free camp, you’ll need a vehicle with the right setup.
- Restrictions: Are there roads or regions you’re not allowed to drive on?
Which Provider Is the Right One?
1. Premium Class
Vehicles usually 0–2 years old
These providers are aimed at travelers who value high comfort, automatic transmissions, and like-new interiors.
- Maui: The flagship of the thl group. Focused on large motorhomes with plenty of space and high-quality features.
- Star RV: The premium brand of Apollo. Guarantees very young vehicles (often under 12 months old) with the latest technology and upscale styling.
- Let’s Go Motorhomes: A specialized premium provider that often uses vehicles from Jayco (Australia’s largest manufacturer) and is known for excellent service.
2. Mid-Range / All-Rounders
Vehicles usually 2–5 years old
The solid middle ground. This is where you’ll find the best value for money for families and couples.
- Britz: Probably the best-known all-rounder. Huge fleet ranging from compact high-tops to 6-berth motorhomes and rugged 4WD campers.
- Apollo: The counterpart to Britz. Offers a very broad range of vehicle types, including very popular 4WD models for the Outback.
- Cruisin’ Motorhomes: A family-run company (originally from Tasmania) known for very well-maintained mid-range vehicles.
3. Budget & Backpacker Class
Vehicles often 5+ years old
Price is the priority here. The vehicles often have higher mileage and simpler features, but they’re mechanically sound.
- Mighty Campers: This is where the “retired” vehicles from Maui and Britz end up. They’re older, but professionally maintained.
- Cheapa Campa: Apollo’s budget brand. As the name suggests: cheaper, because the models have a few years on them.
- JUCY: Iconic for their green-and-purple paintwork. Very popular with younger travelers and for compact camper vans (minivans).
- Travellers Autobarn: Specializes in affordable vans for longer road trips, often with unlimited mileage and a focus on the essentials.
- Hippie Camper: Very basic and budget-friendly high-tops for those on a tight budget.
4. 4WD & Offroad Specialists
If your route heads into the real Outback or Western Australia, these providers are the top choice:
- Red Sands Campers: Absolute premium segment for 4WD. High-quality Toyota Hilux trucks with rooftop tents, perfect for challenging tracks.
- Adventure Rentals: Specialist for fully equipped all-wheel-drive vehicles (e.g., Toyota Land Cruiser Prado) with a focus on safety and quality.
- Broome and Beyond: A strong partner for Western Australia and the Northern Territory with modern 4WD campers.
What Insurance Do You Need?
Insurance is an extremely important topic when renting a camper in Australia — and honestly, a pretty confusing one too.
Almost all providers work with a high deductible (often several thousand dollars).
That means: if something goes wrong, you could end up paying a lot out of pocket — unless you reduce the deductible.
- Basic insurance is always included — but comes with a high deductible
- Reducing the deductible is almost always worth it — providers offer this option
- Zero deductible (“Zero Excess” packages) are the most expensive but the most stress-free
- Watch for add-ons like glass, tire, or underbody protection
Our experience:
On our first trip, the insurance was simply included as part of a package — honestly, we didn’t think too much about it.
On the second trip, we deliberately chose more comprehensive coverage because we were traveling with a child and just wanted to be on the safe side.
That did increase the price noticeably, but it also gave us much greater peace of mind. That said, we didn’t need to use our insurance on either trip.
Our tip:
Don’t underestimate insurance. It’s one of the biggest cost factors — but also the one that can save you the most stress.
If you’re unsure, get some advice (e.g., through Camperoase). They know the differences between providers and can tell you exactly what to watch out for.
The Camper Pickup: Pro Tips Before You Hit the Road
The camper pickup is the moment that determines whether your road trip gets off to a relaxed start — or whether you end up frustrated later about things you could have sorted out beforehand.
Take your time here and don’t let yourself feel rushed. Even if others are waiting: go through everything calmly.
We’ve experienced firsthand how small things — like a broken water pump or a busted drawer — only come to light on the road, and that’s when it gets annoying.
On our second camper trip, the awning was broken, and of course we only noticed once we were already underway. In the end, we managed to sort everything out, but it’s just so much nicer when you don’t have to deal with things like that during your trip.
Our most important tip: Film absolutely everything — inside and out. That way you’re covered if anyone later claims you caused damage.
And another real game-changer: If your schedule allows, plan your first night very close to the rental station. If you do notice something, you can simply drive back the next morning and sort it out.
- Exterior check: Walk all the way around the vehicle and film any scratches, dents, or stone chips.
- Interior check: Are the drawers, cabinets, and doors properly secured?
- Get a tech walkthrough: Have someone show you exactly how the gas, water, and electricity work — and try it yourself.
- Understand the toilet: Sounds basic, but it matters — ask for a full walkthrough of the chemical toilet.
- Water & wastewater: Where do you fill up fresh water and how do you empty the grey water tank?
- Gas & battery: Where’s the gas canister and how do you check the battery level?
- Test the awning: Open it and close it once.
Costs for a Camper Road Trip
The costs of a camper road trip in Australia can vary widely — depending on the season, vehicle type, and features.
During peak season (e.g., Christmas or European summer school holidays), prices are significantly higher than in the off-season.
Approximate prices per day:
- Sleepervan: approx. 60–120 AUD
- Campervan: approx. 80–150 AUD
- Small motorhome: approx. 120–220 AUD
- Large motorhome: approx. 180–300+ AUD
Camper road trip costs: our experiences
Both trips came in at pretty much the same range — even though we had different vehicles and providers.
Here’s what we paid:
- Trip 1: approx. 196 AUD per day
- Trip 2: approx. 193 AUD per day
Our conclusion:
Realistically, you should budget around 180–220 AUD per day for a camper in Australia — including insurance and typical extras.
What other costs should you factor in?
On top of the camper rental, there are a few additional costs that many people underestimate at first:
- Campgrounds: approx. 10–90 AUD per night (depending on facilities and location)
- Fuel: a major cost factor — depends on your route and vehicle
- Insurance: often already included, but can significantly increase the price
- One-way rental fee: applies if you choose different pickup and drop-off locations
- Mileage: sometimes limited, or unlimited only at an extra charge
- Extras: camping chairs, table, car seat, or bed linen often cost extra
Our tip: Always plan a total budget and don’t just look at the base rental price — the additional costs make a big difference in the end.
Tips for Renting a Camper as a Family with Kids

When you’re traveling with kids — or even with a baby — choosing the right camper suddenly becomes much more important than you’d think.
We experienced this firsthand. Suddenly, completely different questions come up:
- Is the bed big enough for all of us to sleep together comfortably?
- Is our child allowed to sit up front in the cab?
- Does it make sense to bring our own travel car seat?
- Does Australia have ISOFIX?
- What rules apply to car seats?
Our key takeaways:
- The right camper makes all the difference: The size, bed, and layout need to work for your family. Our 2+1 had a large bed (approx. 170 cm wide), but many motorhomes only have 140–150 cm. Think ahead: do you want everyone in one bed or split across two? And how important is interior space when the weather turns bad?
- Top Tether is mandatory: In Australia, the car seat must always be additionally secured — either with a seatbelt or ISOFIX + Top Tether.
- The seating position in the camper is crucial: Not every vehicle has a third seat up front. In that case, the child has to sit in the rear cabin — but only if a Top Tether anchor is available back there. For us, that wasn’t an option because our son hated being in the car and we didn’t want him sitting alone in the back.
Our tip: Especially when traveling with kids, it’s worth getting help with the selection. We searched for ages and were so glad that Camperoase came through for us in the end. They look at your trip in concrete detail and tell you honestly which vehicle actually makes sense — and which doesn’t. That saves you not just time, but often costly mistakes too.
Tips for Camping in Australia
How to Find the Best Campsites?

The question you’ll ask yourself every single day on your road trip: where are we sleeping tonight?
Luckily, in Australia this is super easy — as long as you use the right apps. They show you not only campgrounds but also free campsites, toilets, showers, and dump stations.
We recommend these two apps:
- WikiCamps: Our absolute go-to app in Australia. Huge database of campgrounds, free campsites, and everything else you need on the road. Best of all: you can use everything offline — perfect for when you’re out of range. The app isn’t free, but you pay a one-time fee (around 7 euros).
- CamperMate: Also very popular, but not quite as comprehensive as WikiCamps. CamperMate is completely free, though it’s funded through ads and in-app offers.
Our tip: We only used WikiCamps at the time and can highly recommend it. What helped us most were the reviews and comments — they’re often worth their weight in gold and tell you things you’d only find out on-site otherwise, like whether a spot is actually quiet or right next to a road.
Free Camping vs. Campground?

When you’re traveling through Australia by camper, you basically have two options for overnight stays:
- You free camp (wild camping)
- You stay at a campground
1. Free camping (or “wildcamping”):
Means that you don’t stay at an official campground, but instead, for example:
- at designated free campsites
- in parking areas or rest stops
- sometimes right out in nature
That’s pretty cool. But: there are rules, and it’s obviously not allowed everywhere.
- Rules: Every region has its own regulations. Free camping is often only permitted at designated spots. If you just park anywhere, it can quickly get expensive (fines).
- Self-contained camper: Many free campsites can only be used if your camper has its own toilet and wastewater system.
- Infrastructure: When you’re free camping, there’s no electricity, no water, and no dump station. That’s why you need a campground every few days to top everything back up.
- Apps: Without apps like WikiCamps, you’re lost.
2. Campgrounds
Are the exact opposite: less freedom, but more comfort. You get:
- electricity (powered site)
- showers & toilets
- often a kitchen, laundry machines, or even pools and playgrounds
Our experience:
The perfect mix is the way to go.
We spent most of our time at campgrounds — but we always tried to stay at smaller ones. Every now and then we’d free camp for a few days, right on the beach or out in nature, and then head back to a campground to recharge everything, shower, and get everything ready again.
Especially on the trip when we were traveling with a toddler, that setup was ideal for us.
Our tip:
Plan a mix of both from the start. Campgrounds only gets boring — free camping only gets exhausting after a while.
What Do Campsites Cost?
- Caravan parks (e.g., BIG4): 40–90 AUD per night (incl. power, pool, showers, playground).
- National park camping: 10–25 AUD per night (often pit toilets, no power, but amazing locations).
- Free campsites: 0 AUD (often only for “self-contained” vehicles at rest stops).
Our experience: A mix of everything
What to Pack for Your Camper Road Trip?
We’re big fans of minimalist, well-thought-out packing lists for travel. In a small camper, you don’t have much space to store your stuff. The rule is: less is more.
There are, however, a few things that make life in a camper easier, and we’ve listed them for you here:
- Soft bags instead of hard-shell suitcases: Hard-shell suitcases are really impractical in a camper — there’s nowhere to store them. Travel with a duffel bag or backpack that you can tuck away easily.
- Layers instead of outfits: Cool in the morning, hot during the day — pack several thin layers that you can mix and match flexibly.
- Flip-flops: Perfect for slipping on quickly in the camper and super handy for campground showers.
- White noise: Helps you fall asleep and sleep in longer in the morning — especially at campgrounds or when it gets noisy outside. Just play it from your phone or an app.
- Charging your phone: Car charger (we bought one locally), power bank, and if needed an adapter — so you never run out of battery on the road.
- Headlamp or flashlight: Worth its weight in gold, especially at basic campgrounds or when free camping.
Do You Need to Book Campsites in Advance?

Australia is a true camper’s paradise. It’s not just international travelers out on the road — many Australians themselves travel by camper and spend their vacations that way.
The short answer: most of the time you don’t need to book in advance — but in certain situations you absolutely should.
- School holidays: If you’re traveling during Australian school holidays, reserve your campsites early. Things fill up fast.
- Popular campgrounds: Smaller, especially beautiful spots — particularly right on the ocean — are often booked out well in advance.
- Hotspots: A great example is the campground at Lucky Bay near Esperance — one of Australia’s most famous beaches, known for the kangaroos that hang out there. Without booking early, you’ll often find no spots left.
- Fixed route: If you already know your route in detail, it can be worth booking the key stops in advance. You’ll have less flexibility, but you’ll secure the best spots at the most beautiful campgrounds.
- Securing your preferred spot: When booking, you can often even request specific sites — for example, right on the water.
- Check the reviews: Look at the comments in apps like WikiCamps beforehand — they often tell you which spots are especially popular or fill up quickly.
Our tip: Only pre-book the highlights and leave yourself plenty of room for spontaneous stops in between — that’s exactly what makes a campervan hire in Australia so special.
Driving in Australia
Many travelers are nervous about driving on the left. And yes, it felt really strange at first — the first few days we kept turning on the windshield wipers instead of the turn signal (because that’s on the other side too) — but we got comfortable very quickly.
The great thing about driving in Australia is that the roads are very well maintained almost everywhere.
There are a few things you absolutely need to know, though:
- Left-hand traffic: In Australia, you drive on the left.
- Practice reversing: Maneuvering can be tricky with larger campers — take a little time to practice at the start. With large motorhomes, the passenger should definitely get out and help guide.
- Patience: Distances are enormous. Build in enough time and try not to cover too many miles in one day.
- Road trains: Especially in the Outback, you’ll encounter extremely long trucks. You need a lot of room to pass — when in doubt, just stay behind.
- Dusk & nighttime: That’s when animals are most active (kangaroos!). Avoid driving at these times if at all possible.
- Speed limits: Speed limits are strictly enforced. Make sure you follow them.
- Seatbelts: Should go without saying, but worth mentioning: all occupants must be buckled up — including those in the back.
- Car seats: Strict rules apply for children — see our section on families.
- Don’t leave your vehicle: Especially in the Outback, if something goes wrong you should always stay with your vehicle and wait for help.
- Bring water: Always carry enough drinking water — especially on longer stretches.
- Blood alcohol limit: The legal limit is 0.05% and is strictly enforced.
- Fuel up: Gas stations can be far apart — fill up sooner rather than later.
What driver’s license do you need to drive in Australia?
Your regular driver’s license plus an international driving permit. You can apply for an international driving permit in person at your local motor vehicle authority or licensing office — it’s a straightforward process in most countries.
Pre-ordering Groceries
What many people don’t realize is that you can order the first groceries for your camper trip in advance.
You can either have them delivered directly to your camper provider. They’ll accept the delivery for you and can even stock your camper or motorhome before you pick it up. Just check whether your provider offers this service.
Alternatively, you can order online in advance and pick everything up at a supermarket along your route or near your first campground using click & collect. Supermarkets like Coles or Woolworths make this incredibly easy.
We found this especially handy when we were traveling with a child.
Money-Saving Tips: How to Make a Camping Trip Cheaper
Traveling by camper always sounds like a budget option. But renting a campervan in Australia is unfortunately not that cheap. There are, of course, ways to save.
- Find a travel buddy: For solo travelers, it’s not unusual in Australia to find someone else who wants to share a camper before the trip. If that sounds like something for you, check Facebook groups or platforms like Coseats or Rooride.
- Relocations: Move vehicles for as little as 1–5 dollars per day — perfect if you’re flexible. What does relocation mean? You drive a camper from point A to point B for the rental company. Check at Imoova, Transfercar, or directly with providers.
- Grocery shopping: Use discount stores like Aldi and go for store brands at Coles/Woolworths — that saves a lot.
- Compare fuel prices: Apps like Fuel Map Australia show you the cheapest gas stations near you.
- Discount cards: Memberships for caravan park chains can be worth it — often from as few as five nights.
- Top up on water: Free drinking water stations are easy to find through apps like WikiCamps.
- Avoid one-way fees: Plan your route as a loop. Often you can drive along the coast and return via faster inland roads — saving yourself the one-way fee, which can be quite pricey.
Classic Camper Routes in Australia
There are a few classic routes in Australia that are particularly well-suited for a camper road trip. Here’s a quick overview of the most popular ones:
Sydney – Cairns

The most popular route, with perfect infrastructure. Plenty of campgrounds, easy planning, and highlights like Byron Bay, the Whitsundays, and the Great Barrier Reef.
You should plan at least two to three weeks for this route. Anything less gets stressful fast, because there are simply an incredible number of stops. If you want to take it easy, three to four weeks is ideal.
Sydney – Melbourne

Perfect for a shorter road trip. You’ve got two really cool cities, beautiful stretches of coastline, national parks, and relaxed stops along the way.
The route between Sydney and Melbourne is a great alternative to the longer East Coast route and perfect if you don’t have much time.
Often five to ten days is enough here. If you want to make detours (e.g., into national parks), plan a bit more time.
If you ask us, after checking out the best sights in Melbourne, you should tack on a few extra days for the Great Ocean Road. You can also stay at a hotel in Melbourne and explore the Great Ocean Road by rental car.
Perth – Broome

Australia’s west coast is noticeably wilder and less developed. In return, you’ll find spectacular landscapes, remote beaches, and a true sense of adventure.
The route is long and the distances are large. Plan at least two to three weeks, ideally three to four. You’ll be covering significantly more miles here than on the East Coast.
And if you happen to have even more time, definitely make a detour to Karijini National Park, which absolutely blew us away.
Perth – Esperance

One of Australia’s most beautiful coastal routes. The Margaret River wine region, stunning stretches of coastline, turquoise water, and snow-white beaches are all along the way.
We’re really glad we made it all the way to Esperance. Cape Le Grand National Park is simply too beautiful for words.
We drove the return leg inland over two days and stopped to see Wave Rock on the way back.
For the camper route through Southwest Australia, plan around ten to fourteen days. That said, like all routes here, you could easily spend three to four weeks without getting bored.
Alice Springs – Uluru

Pure Outback. Red desert, vast distances, and iconic places like Uluru and Kings Canyon.
You can do the classic Red Centre route in three to five days. If you want to add more stops or take it at a slower pace, plan around a week.
Conclusion
Traveling through Australia by camper is easier than most people think. The infrastructure is good, there are plenty of campgrounds, and you quickly fall into a rhythm.
It’s also a genuinely great way to explore the country. You’re flexible, you see a lot, and you’re close to nature.
Even if you have no experience, Australia is ideal for getting started. It’s honestly one of the best countries to try campervan hire for the first time.
Still, there are a few things to sort out in advance: your rough route, key stops, and the basics — like campgrounds and connectivity.
Once you’re there, a lot of it becomes easy. You can decide spontaneously where to sleep and how long to stay.
Our tip: pre-plan the highlights and stay flexible in between. That’s how you get the most out of your road trip.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
How old do I need to be to rent a camper in Australia?
Typically you need to be at least 21. Some providers will rent to you starting at 18 or 19, but you’ll often pay a surcharge for that.
So it’s possible, but not always the cheapest option.
What driver's license do I need to rent a camper in Australia?
You just need your regular driver’s license plus an international driving permit (or an official English translation). Both together are completely sufficient.
Is wild camping allowed in Australia?
Yes and no. There are tons of free spots, but you can’t just park anywhere you like.
Often you’re only allowed to stay at designated spots — and sometimes only if your camper is self-contained.
When is the best time to travel Australia by camper?
It depends a lot on where you’re headed. The East Coast is pretty much always a good bet. The North is best from May to October (otherwise it’s rainy season). The South is at its most beautiful during the Australian summer.
What does campervan hire in Australia cost?
Approximate prices per day:
- Sleepervan: approx. 60–120 AUD
- Campervan: approx. 80–150 AUD
- Small motorhome: approx. 120–220 AUD
- Large motorhome: approx. 180–300+ AUD
Why does a camper need to be self-contained?
Why does a camper need to be self-contained?
Many campsites only allow overnight stays in self-contained vehicles. The reason is simple: environmental and nature conservation.
- Gray water: Water from washing dishes or showering must not be allowed to flow into the environment.
- Toilet: Many sites require an onboard toilet to prevent contamination.
- Inspections: Rangers check this regularly — violations can be costly (often 300–700 AUD).
- Equipment: This includes a fresh water tank, waste water tank, toilet, and a trash container.
What's cheaper: a rental car or a camper?
Renting a car is cheaper upfront. A camper is worth it when you’re traveling for longer, since you save on accommodation costs.
Is renting a camper in Australia worth it even if I've never done it before?
Totally! Australia is perfect for that. The roads are easy, everything is well organized, and you get the hang of it quickly.
If you want to try camper travel somewhere for the first time, this is the place to do it.