Why rent a campervan in Australia? Freedom on the fifth continent

Renting a motorhome in Australia is the best and most popular way to experience the country's incredible vastness and diversity. The biggest advantage is your absolute independence. You are not tied to domestic flights or fixed hotel bookings and can redesign your route every day. With a platform like Campcruisers, you can plan your adventure perfectly: conveniently compare different models, sizes, and prices from providers all over Australia online. This way, you'll find the exact vehicle that fits your dream route. When you rent a camper in Australia, you are right in the middle of nature. You wake up to the sound of the Pacific waves, have a BBQ under the Southern Cross, and meet kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat. Important: In Australia, they drive on the left!

The best tours when you rent a motorhome in Australia

A rented camper is your ticket to the iconic landscapes of Australia. Here are three legendary route suggestions.

🌊 Tour 1: The Classic East Coast – From Sydney to Cairns

This route is Australia's most popular road trip, taking you along the Pacific coast to dream beaches and tropical rainforests.

• Duration: 21-28 days
• Distance: approx. 2,700 km
• Ideal for: First-time visitors, beach lovers, divers & snorkelers
• Day 1-3: Sydney & the Blue Mountains
• Start in Sydney. Explore the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach. Take a trip to the Blue Mountains with the "Three Sisters" rock formations.
• Day 4-7: Byron Bay & the Gold Coast (approx. 750 km)
• Drive north to the laid-back surfer hotspot of Byron Bay. Enjoy the alternative vibe and visit the easternmost point of the Australian mainland.
• Day 8-12: Fraser Island & the Whitsundays (approx. 1,100 km)
• Take a guided 4x4 tour to Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. Your next highlight is the Whitsunday Islands. Go on a sailing trip to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach.
• Day 13-21: Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef (approx. 650 km)
• Head into the tropics to Cairns. Visit the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world, and take an unforgettable snorkeling or diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

🏜️ Tour 2: The Red Centre – Adventure in the Outback

This tour takes you to the spiritual heart of Australia, the Outback. A 4x4 camper is often an advantage here.

• Duration: 7-10 days
• Distance: approx. 1,000 km from Alice Springs
• Ideal for: Adventurers, photographers, culture enthusiasts
• Day 1-3: Alice Springs & the MacDonnell Ranges
• Start in Alice Springs. Explore the gorges and waterholes of the West MacDonnell Ranges, such as Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole.
• Day 4 & 5: Kings Canyon (Watarrka) (approx. 330 km)
• Drive to Kings Canyon. The 3-4 hour hike along the canyon rim ("Rim Walk") is strenuous but offers spectacular views.
• Day 6 & 7: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (approx. 300 km)
• Your destination is Uluru (Ayers Rock). Experience the magical color change of the monolith at sunrise and sunset. Walk around Uluru and explore the rock domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).

🍷 Tour 3: The South – Great Ocean Road & Wine Regions

This route combines one of the world's most beautiful coastal roads with the culinary delights of South Australia.

• Duration: 10-14 days
• Distance: approx. 1,500 km
• Ideal for: Foodies, hikers, animal lovers
• Day 1 & 2: Melbourne & the Penguin Parade
• Explore the cultural metropolis of Melbourne. Take an evening trip to Phillip Island to watch the famous penguin parade as hundreds of little penguins come ashore.
• Day 3-5: The Great Ocean Road (approx. 250 km)
• Drive the legendary Great Ocean Road. Marvel at the "Twelve Apostles," Loch Ard Gorge, and other dramatic rock formations. Look for koalas in the eucalyptus trees near Kennett River.
• Day 6-8: Grampians National Park & the Coonawarra Wine Region (approx. 400 km)
• Hike in the Grampians National Park to viewpoints like "The Balconies." Then, drive to the famous Coonawarra red wine region.
• Day 9 & 10: Adelaide & Kangaroo Island
• End your tour in Adelaide. From here, take a multi-day trip (by ferry) to Kangaroo Island, a paradise for wildlife viewing (kangaroos, sea lions, koalas).

Getting to Australia: Flight to the other side of the world

The journey to Australia from Europe or North America is a long-haul flight.

• ✈️ By Plane:
• The main international airports are Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Perth (PER), Brisbane (BNE), and Cairns (CNS).
• From the UK, Europe, USA, & Canada: There are no direct flights from many locations. The journey will always involve at least one stop, typically in the Middle East (like Dubai, Doha), Asia (like Singapore, Hong Kong), or a major US hub. Expect a total travel time of at least 20-24 hours.

After your arrival, you will get to the pick-up location of your camper. The exact address of our partner's motorhome rental station and information on how to get there from the airport will be in your booking documents.

Australia's Cuisine: BBQ, Fresh Seafood & Excellent Wine

With a rented camper in Australia, you can enjoy the country's relaxed and multicultural food culture.

What you should definitely try:

• 🥩 BBQ (Barbie): Barbecuing is a national sport. Many public parks have free or coin-operated gas grills.
• 🍔 Burger with the lot: A huge burger with beef, cheese, bacon, egg, pineapple, beetroot, and salad.
• 🍤 Fresh Seafood: Especially prawns and Barramundi fish are delicious.
• 🍰 Lamingtons & Pavlova: Two famous Australian desserts.

Camping in Australia: Huge Choice for Every Budget

Australia is perfectly set up for campers and offers a huge variety of accommodation options.

• 🏕️ Wild Camping & Free Camping:
• Wild camping in Australia is highly regulated and only permitted in specially designated, often very basic areas ("Free Camps"). Apps like "CamperMate" or "WikiCamps Australia" are essential to find these legal spots. In cities and national parks, it is strictly forbidden.

• 🚐 Official Sites & Campsites:

• The infrastructure is excellent.
• National Park Campgrounds: Often basic but always spectacularly located in nature. Booking online is usually required.
• Caravan Parks: Commercially run sites with full service (power, water, kitchens, showers), comparable to European campsites.

• BIG4 Holiday Parks
• One of the largest chains with over 180 high-quality holiday parks across Australia, ideal for families.
• Discovery Parks
• Another major chain with great locations, often near tourist highlights.
• Ayers Rock Campground (Uluru)
• The only campsite near Uluru, offering a safe base for exploring the Red Centre.

You can also find and book campsites on Campcruisers as they become available.