Plan your Australian road trip with a campervan or campervan hire from Indie Campers and explore one of the most rewarding drive destinations on earth. Australia is a country the size of the contiguous United States with a fraction of the population, which means open roads, uncrowded national parks, and the kind of wilderness that genuinely earns the phrase "off the beaten path." Cruise the coastal drama of the Great Ocean Road, follow the East Coast from Sydney to Cairns, or push inland to the Red Centre from Darwin. Choose from Indie Campers' range of campervans and motorhomes, all with unlimited kilometres, flexible one-way hires, 24/7 online support, and extras like bedding kits, BBQ sets, and outdoor furniture. Backed by a 4.7-star rating from over 73,000 travellers, Indie Campers is your most reliable way to see Australia on your own schedule.
Our Road Trips Itineraries
Australia drives on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right. The adjustment takes a day or two rather than a week. Give yourself extra conscious attention at every turn for the first 48 hours.
Speed limits in Australia are posted in kilometres per hour. The main thresholds to know:
Speed cameras are common across all states, including on open highways. Point-to-point average speed cameras in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland calculate your average speed between two fixed points, sustained speeding is detected even if you slow down at obvious enforcement zones. Fines are issued by mail and passed on through the hire company.
Australians call it petrol, not gas. Prices are listed per litre, not per gallon. At current averages ($1.80–$2.20 AUD per litre). Prices in metropolitan areas are generally lower than at rural roadhouses. In the Northern Territory and remote Western Australia, petrol stations can be 200–250 miles apart. Fill up whenever you drop below half a tank on any regional route.
In the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and outback Queensland, road trains, trucks hauling two to four trailers, can run up to 175 feet in total length. Never attempt to pass a road train unless you can see clearly for at least 500 metres ahead. When a road train overtakes your vehicle, ease off the accelerator slightly to help it clear you faster.
Kangaroos are most active at dawn, dusk, and overnight. A large kangaroo striking a moving vehicle causes serious damage and is a significant risk on any rural road after dark. Avoid driving in rural areas between dusk and dawn where possible.
Australia sits in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons run opposite to North America. December through February is summer; June through August is winter. What this means for road tripping changes significantly depending on which region you're visiting.
December through February (Australian Summer) Best for: Tasmania (peak hiking season), the Great Ocean Road, Sydney and New South Wales coast, Melbourne Avoid: The Northern Territory and far north Queensland, monsoon season with extreme heat in the Outback and some roads impassable due to flooding.
March through May (Australian Fall) Best for: East Coast shoulder season before Queensland humidity builds, Western Australia, the Outback as temperatures begin to cool Highlights: Whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef (March–July), wildflowers beginning in Western Australia
June through August (Australian Winter) Best for: Northern Territory (Kakadu, Uluru), Western Australia's north, Queensland's Whitsundays and Tropical North. This is the single best window for the Outback and the Red Centre. Note: Winter in southern Australia (Melbourne, Tasmania, the Great Ocean Road) is mild but wet. Still roadworthy; pack layers.
September through November (Australian Spring) Best for: Broadly the most reliable season across every region. Western Australia wildflowers peak August through October. The East Coast before Queensland's wet season. The Outback before summer heat arrives. Victoria and New South Wales at their most temperate.
The most popular months for Australia campervan hires are December, January, and July.
Minimum age: 21.
License: A current, valid driver's licence is accepted across all Australian states and territories. No International Driving Permit required.
National Parks passes: Most Australian national parks do not charge entry fees. Exceptions include Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park ($38 AUD per adult for a 3-day pass). Budget separately for any Uluru itinerary. Book through Parks Australia (parksaustralia.gov.au) for federal parks; state systems (NSW National Parks, Parks Victoria, Queensland National Parks, Parks Tasmania) each run separate booking platforms.
Free camping apps: WikiCamps Australia and Campermate are the two most widely used tools for mapping free and low-cost camping on public land. For a full rundown, see our guide to essential camping apps for your Australian road trip.
Driving hours: The Australian government recommends a break every two hours on any long drive. Fatigue is the primary road safety risk on long outback stretches, take it seriously.
Sun and insects: Australia has the world's highest rate of skin cancer per capita. Sunscreen, a hat, and UV-protective clothing are standard travel gear, not optional. Flies are abundant in rural and inland areas in summer; a fly net hat is practical equipment in the Outback.
Our Road Trips Itineraries
For most travelers, a special licence is not necessary to hire a campervan in Australia. A valid driving licence is required, though, to operate any of our vehicles. If you are a non-EU citizen, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required in addition to your home country’s driving licence. Additionally, your licence must match the transmission type of the vehicle (manual or automatic). You can find more details about driving licence requirements here.
Yes, our campervans are pet-friendly. Just be sure to add the extra cleaning service when booking. This ensures a professional anti-allergy cleaning is carried out after your trip. Please note that only one pet is allowed per campervan, and it must not exceed 30kg in weight. Also, we are not liable for any legal fees related to traveling with pets. If you’re booking through our marketplace, check the “vehicle rules” section to confirm if the vehicle is pet-friendly.
The sleeping capacity of our campervans and motorhomes varies depending on the model and size. Our Class C motorhomes can typically accommodate 4 to 8 people, while our Class B campervans can sleep between 2 to 4 people. Vehicles equipped with a rooftop tent generally have space for around 2 people. For a full breakdown of our models and sleeping capacities, click here.
If you're exploring Australia in a campervan rental, it's essential to be aware of the country’s official camping regulations. Many natural areas are legally protected, so using designated overnight parking spots or official campsites is strongly recommended. This not only helps preserve the environment but also ensures a safe and enjoyable experience. For more guidance on safety and responsible camping, click here.
We provide three different protection plans to cover any incidents or damages that might occur during your campervan rental. All Indie Campers campervans come with third-party vehicle insurance, and property damage coverage (which varies based on the country). For marketplace rentals, insurance options may differ depending on the host. For further details on campervan insurance, visit this page.
Yes, our search filter makes it easy to rent a campervan close to your location by using a 60km radius system. Depending on where you're searching from, you can quickly find the nearest Indie Campers campervan rental pick-up centre.
Yes, a selected number of Indie Campers RV rentals in Australia include unlimited mileage, allowing you to explore freely and make the most of your road trip! Please note that unlimited mileage applies exclusively to Indie Campers RVs and is subject to responsible use.
“Very good service, vehicle was new and very clean ! Definitely recommend :) ”
“Great experience and would recommend highly. Will be happy to use IndieCampers again.”
“Great overall experience! Clear instructions throughout and very helpful staff. Would recommend! ”
Our Campervans
