Travelling Australia by campervan is one of the easiest ways to see the country: your transport and your bed come in one vehicle, and you can wake up next to a beach, a national park or the outback. This guide covers where to go first, when to travel, the best road trips in Australia and how campervan hire works, so you can plan your route with confidence.
Australian Backpackers is a campervan comparison and booking agency. We don't own the vehicles: we compare campervans and motorhomes from rental companies across Australia, so you can see the options side by side and book the one that suits your trip.
Australia at a glance for campervan travellers
| Good to know | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | About 7.7 million km², roughly the size of the lower 48 US states |
| Driving | On the left. A campervan is easy to drive if you take it slowly at first |
| Seasons | Reversed from the northern hemisphere. Summer is December to February |
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| Campervan pick-up cities | 13, from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Cairns, Darwin, Perth and Hobart |
| Best for | Road trips, beaches, wildlife, national parks and the outback |
Distances are what catch most people out. Sydney to Melbourne is around 900 km on the inland highway, and Sydney to Perth is closer to 4,000 km. Choose one or two regions rather than trying to see everything, and you'll spend more of your trip out of the van.
How long do you need for an Australian road trip?→Best time to hire a campervan in Australia
There's a good season for a campervan trip somewhere in Australia all year round. The best time depends on which region you want to see:
- South and east coast (Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania): October to April, when it's warm and mostly dry
- Tropical north (Cairns, Darwin, the Kimberley): the dry season, roughly May to October
- Red Centre (Uluru, Alice Springs): April to September, when days are mild instead of scorching
- Western Australia: spring (September to November) for wildflowers, summer for beaches in the south
Campervan rental prices and availability change with the season. Summer and school holidays are the busiest, so book early if you're travelling then.
Best time of year to hire a campervan in Australia→Best places to visit in Australia by campervan
These are the places most travellers put at the top of their list. Most of them are within reach of a city where you can pick up a campervan.
- Sydney: the harbour, the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk and the Blue Mountains
- Byron Bay: a relaxed surf town and the most easterly point of the mainland
- Noosa and K'gari (Fraser Island): national park, beaches and the world's largest sand island
- Whitsunday Islands: white sand, clear water and sailing from Airlie Beach
- Great Barrier Reef: snorkel or dive from Cairns or Port Douglas
- Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation: where the rainforest meets the reef
- Great Ocean Road: 243 km of coast from Torquay, with the Twelve Apostles as the highlight
- Melbourne: coffee, laneways, street art and one of the country's best food scenes
- Tasmania: Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay and Hobart's food scene
- Adelaide and the Barossa Valley: wine country about an hour from the city
- Flinders Ranges: rugged red ranges and wide outback skies
- Uluru and Kata Tjuta: sunrise and sunset colours on the red desert
- Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges: gorges and waterholes
- Kakadu and Litchfield: waterfalls, rock art and wildlife in the Top End
- Margaret River: surf, wineries and tall forests
- Broome and Cable Beach: camels at sunset and turquoise water
- Esperance: some of the whitest beaches in the country
Best road trips in Australia to start with
If it's your first Australia campervan trip, these three routes are a good place to start:
- Sydney to Melbourne (around 900 km inland, longer via the coast): coastal towns, national parks and beaches. Allow 4 to 7 days
- Great Ocean Road (243 km): short and spectacular. Two to three days is enough
- Sydney to Cairns (about 2,400 km): the classic East Coast Australia road trip. Allow two to three weeks
Many routes work as a one way campervan hire between two pick-up cities, so you don't have to drive back. Some suppliers charge a one way fee on certain routes, which shows up when you compare quotes.
Best road trips in Australia by campervan→Sydney to Melbourne road trip guide→Brisbane to Cairns campervan itinerary→How campervan hire in Australia works
You pick up a campervan or motorhome in one city, drive at your own pace and return it at the end of your trip, either to the same city or another one. Australian Backpackers compares campervan rentals from many suppliers in one place, from budget backpacker campervans to 4WDs and family motorhomes, and discounts apply automatically when you book through us.
- Pick-up cities: Adelaide, Airlie Beach, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney
- Vehicles: lowtop and hightop campervans for 2 to 5 people, motorhomes with a bathroom, and 4WDs with a rooftop tent
- Licence: you don't need a special licence. If your licence isn't in English you'll usually need an International Driving Permit or an approved translation
- Age, bond, insurance excess and what's included vary between rental companies, so compare these as well as the price
Tips before you go
- Book early for school holidays and summer, when popular vehicles sell out
- Fill up with fuel when you can in remote areas. Distances between towns can be long
- Free camping rules vary by state and council, so check signs and use official sites
- Take sun protection seriously. The UV index is high even on cloudy days
- Kangaroos are most active at dawn and dusk, so avoid driving at those times where you can
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to travel around Australia?
For most travellers a campervan or motorhome is the most flexible way to travel around Australia. It combines your transport and accommodation, lets you stop where you like and suits road trips between cities and national parks. For very long distances, some people fly between regions and hire a campervan in each one.
Where should I go first on an Australia road trip?
For a first trip, the East Coast between Sydney and Cairns has the most variety: cities, beaches, islands and the Great Barrier Reef. If you only have a week, the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne or a loop of Tasmania is easier to cover without long driving days.
How many days do I need for an Australia campervan trip?
Two weeks lets you see one region properly, such as the East Coast between Brisbane and Cairns or Victoria and South Australia. Three to four weeks opens up the long coastal routes like Sydney to Cairns. Australia is big, so plan fewer stops rather than more driving.
What is the best time to hire a campervan in Australia?
It depends on where you're going. The south and east coast are best from October to April, the tropical north from May to October, and the Red Centre from April to September. Summer and school holidays are the busiest times, so book early then.
Is it easy to drive a campervan in Australia?
Yes. Roads between towns are generally good and traffic is light outside the cities. Australians drive on the left, and you don't need a special licence for a standard campervan. Take it slowly for the first day while you get used to the size of the vehicle.
Can backpackers hire a campervan in Australia?
Yes. Backpacker campervan hire is one of the most popular ways to travel Australia, and several rental companies offer budget campervans. You need a valid driver's licence, and minimum ages and conditions vary by supplier, so compare them before you book.
Can I camp for free in Australia?
In some places. Free camping rules vary by state and local council, so look for signs and use official free campsites. Many travellers mix free camps with paid campgrounds and holiday parks for showers, power and laundry.
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