A guide to the best caravan hire companies in Australia

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Keen to hit the road this summer? A caravan, campervan or motorhome is the perfect portable dwelling to help you on your way.

Piling everyone into a caravan for a taste of life on the road is a quintessential Aussie holiday experience: the wide open spaces, epic views and sense of freedom that #vanlife provides is one heck of a ride. But before you set off, you’re going to need the right vehicle.  From budget to luxe and from small to large, consult our guide to the best caravan hire companies below to get you on the road in style this summer.

Camplify

Best for: boutique accommodation lovers

 

Originally founded in Newcastle, Camplify is the peer-to-peer vehicle sharing service that makes Van Life a whole lot easier.

 

If you are lucky enough to own your own caravan it’s highly likely it sits in the front yard unused for numerous months during the year. Catching on to this supply and demand issue, Camplify steps in to safely connect holidaymakers with caravans, motorhomes and campervans in their neighbourhood to book, while unlocking new earning opportunities for van owners around Australia.

 

The interface is seamless to navigate, making it extremely easy to find a top-of-the-range luxury motorhome with all the bells and whistles or an older-style camper trailer to get you from A to B. There are options to suit every freedom seeker (human or canine) that is looking to make a stress-free upgrade from a tent.

 

Pros: easy to navigate, plenty of options, and a great way to keep your road trip interesting.

Vintage Volkeswagen caravan
Daisy from Bowral is just one of many in the Camplify fleet.

Travellers Autobarn

Best for: budget travellers

The orange logo slapped on the side of the Travellers Autobarn vehicles is hard to miss when driving along Australia’s long and open roads. As a well-established campervan hire company, Travellers Autobarn is a ‘one stop shop’ for the backpacker and budget travellers. They are one of the more affordable options on the market – especially during the off-peak season.

 

The campervans are all factory and purpose built, and because they’ve factored in the needs of open-road living, they go big on reliability and function. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to explore Australia.

 

Pros: purpose-built, plenty of new models to choose from, and affordable.

Travellers Autobarn van at the beach
It’s hard to miss Travellers Autobarn on the road.

Apollo Camper

Best for: off-the-beaten-track adventures

 

When you need a camper you can rely on, opt for an Apollo Camper. Proudly Australian owned, Apollo has been helping travellers get from A to B without issue for more than 35 years. Choose from self-contained motorhomes with cooking facilities, air conditioning and beds for up to six people to compact campers for an authentic van life experience, or rugged 4WDs designed for adventure seekers.

 

Pros: a long established, reliable brand that offers great customer service.

Apollo Camper surrounded by greenery
When reliability is key, opt for an Apollo Camper.

Camptoo

Best for: local camping

 

Last year, global RV sharing service and online booking platform, Camptoo, announced its expansion Down Under. The company positions itself as an Airbnb for motorhomes and campervans, providing a reliable vehicle to experience life on the road without the commitment of a DIY renovation project.

 

From fully kitted out family-friendly motorhomes to quirky converted VW campervans for last-minute romantic staycations, there are over 4,000 campervans, caravans and motorhomes to rent directly from vehicle owners.

 

Our picks include this Mojud Vintage Mercedes Bus from Coolangatta, the Cute Gypsy Wagon in Warburton, Victoria and the Spiderman-clad Art Motorhome from Perth.

 

Pros: the giant range of campervan options means you can tailor your road trip experience to your personal preference.

The Mojud Vintage Mercedes Bus from Coolangatta.
The Mojud Vintage Mercedes Bus from Coolangatta.

Jucy Rentals

Best for: road trippers on a backpacker budget

 

The bright purple and green JUCY campervans began transporting New Zealand travellers around the country in 2001. Today, they have more than 3,800 cars, campervans and motorhomes to rent around the globe.

 

There are myriad vehicle types depending on your specs and budget. For budget-conscious travellers, the El Cheapo Sleeper is perfect for those happy to travel Australia in “no frills" style. At the top of the range is The Condo: a fully self-contained option that sleeps four. It comes complete with a cassette toilet and grey water tank, plus all the classic bells and whistles.

 

Pros: a popular, affordable option with plenty of drop-off and pick-up locations.

Kangaroos surround a Jucy Van
Meet the locals in a Jucy Van.

Britz / Mighty

Best for: long-term adventures

 

Britz is the largest campervan rental company in the entire Australasia region. Their motorhome fleet is top of the line, with thousands of glowing reviews from travellers listed from all around the world. Become one of them by renting one of their 4WD, 2WD and campervan options.

 

All campervans feature AM/FM radio and CD player, fridge, gas stove and microwave, alongside plush linen and bedding, kitchen essentials and all the general living gear you’ll need. They also come with an unlimited mileage allowance.

 

Once the Britz vehicles have done their share of open-road adventures they are transformed into Mighty campers: the more affordable, youth-skewed sister brand to Britz.

 

Pros: an unlimited mileage allowance means you can spend less time kilometre tracking and more time enjoying the great beyond.

Britz Van on the bridge in Woollongong
See Australia’s most iconic sights in a Britz.

Maui

Best for: high-end family travellers

 

Hitting the road with the kids can often feel like a daunting prospect. One that’s made a whole lot easier with a top-of-the-line vehicle that guarantees you one less thing to worry about. Maui vehicles are known for their reliability, making them a great choice for any long-term Aussie caravanning adventure.

 

Still within the THL (Britz, Mighty) family, Maui is Australia’s premium offering of two- to six-berth motorhome vehicles. Most vehicles are guaranteed to be under two years of age, ensuring the highest level of reliability, comfort and, of course, state-of-the-art features.

 

Pros: like a hotel room on wheels, you needn’t skimp on the creature comforts.

Maui luxury van at sunset
Meet your hotel room on wheels.

Hippie Camper

Best for: nomads with no-fuss attitude

 

Hippie Camper’s ethos of quality and affordability has made them pretty popular among budget conscious travellers throughout Australia and New Zealand. You may recognise these vehicles from the boho decals that line the side panels; they’re frequently seen on the road all around the country transporting travellers who are clearly having a good time.

 

Their rental fleet options are pretty limited, only catering to parties of two, three and four people. However, they’re a great option for those in need of a base camp where they can rest their head for the night.

 

Pros: living proof that great views and comfortable lodgings need not cost the earth.

Hippie Camper in the outback
A Hippie Camper will take you to the back of the beyond.
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The Gold Rush town that’s become Victoria’s best country escape for foodies

    Jocelyn PrideBy Jocelyn Pride
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    The well-preserved Gold Rush town where an idyllic country vibe meets the best of city living.

    Cafe culture

    ‘Slow down’ is the mantra of Tortoise Espresso , and it’s apt for anyone visiting town. This local coffee hangout was the brainchild of Lloyd Meadows, who at 16 started it as a hole in the wall of an old pub. Five years on, it graces a fine shopfront with a menu of around 60 different coffees. Other one-off centrally located daytime cafes, such as Saffs, Togs, Saint Florian and Lazy Bones, are tucked into historic buildings and serve creative menus featuring local produce. A personal favourite is Origini, where chef Luca Sartori brings a taste of northern Italy to his rustic restaurant. For the best banh mi outside Vietnam head to Super Hero, and the pastries at Johnny Baker are legendary.

    the Saint Florian Cafe, Castlemaine
    Saint Florian is one of many businesses tucked away in a historic building. (Image: Griffin Simm)

    On the town’s fringe you’ll find some treasured cafes: Blackbird. Grist, Doveton Corner Store, and the cosy Aitken’s Corner. The Mill precinct also brings another dimension to Castlemaine. Located directly opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens, this once-derelict woollen mill is a hive of creativity and collaboration. Retaining an industrial feel, it is home to a myriad of 44 unique businesses, galleries and studios that stretch over the three-hectare site.

    Brilliant brews, bars and food

    diners at The Mill, Castlemaine
    The Mill is home to many local businesses. (Image: Visit Victoria/Michelle Jarni)

    The Mill is also home to one of Castlemaine’s bespoke breweries, Shedshaker Brewing Company and Taproom. Within the sensitively restored walls of the oldest part of the building (circa 1875), small-batch, handcrafted beer features alongside fine wholesome food and live music.

    A more recent newcomer to the brewing scene is Love Shack . Starting small as a laneway pop-up in 2021, visionaries Conna Mallett and Harry Cox were armed with a Melbourne beer culture pedigree, which helped them create a great new ‘pub’ that feels as though it’s been there since the 1850s. Other atmospheric bars and restaurants are dotted around town – Grafting Cellars for local wines by the pour; buzzy Mostyn Street Cellars; Table Records plays vinyl on weekends; and the quirky Maurocco bar is not to be missed.

    food and drinks at Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro, Castlemaine
    The nostalgic Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro serves comfort food. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    For food you’ll write home about, the hatted Bar Midland serves exquisite dishes from Victorian-only produce. The freshly renovated Wild is located in the original firestation, Voor Ouker specialises in Indonesian/Dutch fusion, and the Railway Hotel oozes English pub charm.

    the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
    Theatre Royal is the longest continually operating theatre on the mainland. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Much-loved Teatro Regio, found in the magnificent Theatre Royal , is the go-to for pizzas with a twist. As mainland Australia’s longest continually running theatre, this grand dame is also one of more than a dozen performance spaces that add to a rich and diverse entertainment and festival scene.

    pizza at Theatre Royal
    Dine before a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)

    Quirky country stays

    Quirky, authentic and perfectly located, the Midland Hotel is a private hotel that dates back to 1879. Each of the nine rooms at the Northern Arts Hotel is different and named in honour of an Australian artist. Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation also has a range of properties to suit all types of travellers.