If you’re looking for the best motorhome hire in Australia, it doesn’t take long to discover there are a lot of options. Different hire companies, different vehicle sizes and layouts, 2WD and 4WD campers, premium and budget fleets, and often quite a difference in price.
So, which one should you choose?
The answer depends on your holiday plans. Your travel dates and route are important, but so are the number of people travelling, your budget and what matters to you once you’re settled into the motorhome.
At Gallivanting Oz, we work with a range of motorhome and campervan hire companies across Australia, rather than one particular fleet. This means we can compare the options and help you work out which vehicles are the best fit for your plans.
Is There Really a ‘Best’ Motorhome?
When you first start looking at motorhome hire in Australia, it’s easy to focus on the hire company or a price. You may recognise some of the bigger names, have been given a recommendation by friends or family, or are simply trying to make sense of the different options you’ve found online.
But the name on the motorhome or the price you see is only one part of the decision. What makes a motorhome the right choice for you comes down to the vehicle itself as well as the holiday you’re planning.
For one couple, a newer premium motorhome with a permanent bed and onboard toilet and shower might be high on the list. Another may be quite happy with an older vehicle if it keeps the hire cost down. A family might be less concerned about the age of the motorhome and more interested in how the beds are arranged, how much storage there is and whether everyone has enough room.
Where you’re travelling can change the options too. A 2WD motorhome may be exactly what you need for one route, while another holiday may call for a 4WD camper. Your travel dates can also affect which vehicles are available and what you’ll pay.
This is why we prefer to start with your holiday plans and what you need from a motorhome.
Australian Motorhome Hire Companies Compared
Once you know roughly what you’re looking for in a motorhome, the next step is to see which of our partners have suitable options for your holiday.
We work with a number of established motorhome hire companies across Australia, covering everything from newer premium motorhomes through to older, more budget-friendly fleets. Many of our hire partners offer similar types of motorhomes, but there can be variations in vehicle age, layouts, depot locations, pricing, insurance options and what’s included in the hire.
Here’s a closer look at some of the hire companies we work with and how they may fit into your search.
Maui
Maui sits at the premium end of the motorhome hire market, with a fleet aged up to two years and an Elite fleet that guarantees a vehicle less than one year old at pick-up.
Their range includes motorhomes for couples through to larger groups, all with an onboard toilet and shower. If having a newer motorhome is high on your priority list, Maui is one of the options we’re likely to recommend when comparing suitable vehicles for your holiday.
Britz
Britz is another premium option we may consider, although its vehicle range is quite different to Maui, with a mix of campervans, smaller motorhomes and 4WD campers.
If you’re comparing Maui vs Britz, it makes more sense to start with the style of vehicle and features you’re looking for rather than the brand itself. The two ranges are quite different, so your preferred layout and how you plan to travel may naturally point you towards one or the other.
Apollo
Apollo offers a broad mix of campervans, motorhomes and 4WD campers and generally sits between the newer premium fleets and the older economy options.
If you’re comparing Maui vs Apollo or Britz vs Apollo, vehicle age may be one of the differences, but it’s also worth comparing the individual layouts, features and pricing available for your travel dates.
That’s why we compare the actual options available for your holiday rather than assuming one of these companies will always come out ahead.
Cruisin
Cruisin is a little different in that its range covers both premium and premium-economy vehicles, with campervan and motorhome options and a variety of layouts.
When comparing Cruisin with Maui or Apollo, vehicle age and layout are part of the picture, but there can also be significant differences in the insurance and liability options. We’ll look at why this matters when comparing the overall cost of your motorhome hire later in the article.
Mighty
Mighty sits at the more budget-friendly end of the market, with an older fleet than the premium brands. This can make it an option for travellers who are comfortable hiring an older vehicle in return for potentially lower rental costs.
Its range includes campervans and motorhomes as well as 4WD campers. We’ll look more closely at when a 4WD camper may be needed later in the article.
GoCheap
GoCheap also sits at the budget end of the market and can be worth considering when keeping the rental cost down is a higher priority than having one of the newest vehicles. Its range includes campervans and motorhomes in a variety of sizes and layouts.
A lower daily rate on its own doesn’t necessarily tell you which option offers the best value once the complete hire costs and inclusions are taken into account. We’ll look at how to compare these costs properly later in the article.
Star RV
Star RV offers motorhomes for couples and larger groups, with quite a broad vehicle age range across its fleet. This can make it another option to consider depending on your budget and what you’re comfortable with in terms of vehicle age.
Not Sure Which Motorhome Is Right for You?
If you’re already wondering how you’re going to compare all these options, that’s where we can help. Tell us your travel dates, route, who’s travelling and what’s important to you, and we can compare the suitable motorhomes available across our network of partners.
The best bit is you don’t pay extra to book through Gallivanting Oz for our service and experience.
What’s the Best Motorhome for Couples in Australia?
It’s easy to assume that if there are two of you travelling, you only need a 2 berth motorhome. For many couples that will be exactly the right choice, but it isn’t the only option worth considering.
There are numerous variations between 2 berth layouts. Some have a permanent bed, while others use the rear seating area as a bed at night. You’ll also find differences in storage, kitchen and bathroom layouts, so it’s worth thinking about which features will make a difference to you during your holiday.
A 4 berth motorhome can also work well for two people. You may prefer the layout, want more room inside or like having the option of leaving one bed made up rather than converting your main seating area each day. On the other hand, a more compact vehicle may be exactly what you want, particularly if you don’t need the additional space.
How long you’re hiring for can influence that decision too. The layout you’re happy with for a short trip may not be the one you’d choose if you’re travelling for several weeks or a couple of months.
When we’re helping you find the best motorhome for couples in Australia, we don’t automatically limit the search to vehicles labelled as 2 berth. We look at how you want to use the space, the features that matter to you and the suitable vehicles available for your holiday.
What’s the Best Motorhome for Families?
Choosing the best motorhome for a family isn’t quite as simple as matching the number of people travelling to the number of berths.
For two adults travelling with one child, for example, a 3 berth motorhome may be an option. The third bed is generally a smaller single bed, so the age and size of your child are important. As a guide, these can suit a child up to around 13 years of age.
If you’re a family of four, a 4 berth motorhome may seem like the obvious choice, and in many cases it will work very well. However, the ages of your children and the sleeping arrangements are worth considering before you decide.
If your two children are in, or approaching, their teenage years, think about whether they’ll be happy sharing a bed. A 6 berth motorhome may give them the option of separate beds and make for a much more peaceful holiday.
Child restraints are important too, particularly when you’re travelling with younger children. Not every motorhome can accommodate a child or booster seat, and some vehicles can only take one rather than two. This is something we check carefully when helping families compare their options, so make sure you let us know the ages of any children travelling with you.
It’s also worth looking at the other features that could be useful for your family, such as an onboard toilet and shower, the dining area or an external awning for sitting and enjoying al fresco dining.
Premium vs Budget Motorhomes
One of the choices you’ll come across when comparing motorhome hire in Australia is whether to go with a premium, premium-economy or budget fleet.
Vehicle age is one of the main differences. Premium fleets have the newest vehicles, while premium-economy and budget fleets contain progressively older vehicles. If having one of the newest motorhomes is important to you, paying more for a premium option may be worthwhile. If keeping the hire cost down is more important, you may be comfortable considering an older vehicle.
As vehicles move through the different fleet categories, you’ll often find similar layouts between the premium, premium-economy and budget options, although the newer models will have updated features or layouts.
Budget vehicles are naturally more pre-loved than the newer premium models and will have seen a few more Aussie sunsets along the way. However, all rental vehicles are maintained to be roadworthy and come with 24/7 roadside assistance.
By comparing suitable options at different price points, we can show you the differences and help you decide whether paying more for a newer vehicle is important to you, or whether you’d prefer to put that part of your holiday budget towards something else.
Do You Need a 4WD Camper?
A 4WD camper opens up travel options that aren’t available in a conventional 2WD motorhome, but that doesn’t mean you need one simply because you’re planning an Australian road trip. The right choice comes down to where you want to go and the roads and tracks you intend to explore.
If your holiday is predominantly on sealed roads, a 2WD campervan or motorhome will give you a much wider choice of vehicles, layouts and onboard features. The 2WD vehicles available through our hire partners allow limited travel on well-maintained unsealed roads to access recognised campgrounds or tourist attractions, although the permitted distance and conditions vary between our partners. If your plans take you further off the sealed road network, then it’s time to look more closely at the 4WD options.
There are also different types of 4WD campers to consider. Some have higher ground clearance and are designed for more adventurous 4WD routes, while others have lower ground clearance and are better suited to less challenging roads and tracks. Knowing where you’re planning to travel helps us narrow down which type of 4WD is appropriate rather than simply choosing any vehicle with 4WD capability.
RedSands Campers
RedSands specialises in premium 4WD camper hire, with vehicles purpose equipped for remote and off-road travel. Their campers include additional 4WD and safety equipment, and they take an all-inclusive approach with much of the camping equipment you’ll need already provided.
They also place a strong emphasis on vehicle preparation and support, which can be particularly useful when you’re planning a more remote 4WD holiday.
Britz, Apollo and Mighty 4WD Campers
Britz, Apollo and Mighty also offer 4WD campers, with some of the same vehicle types available across the three brands at different fleet ages. This gives us options across premium and more budget-friendly price points without necessarily changing the style of camper.
Britz has the widest choice of the three, including additional higher-clearance 4WD campers for routes where greater ground clearance is needed. Apollo and Mighty have a more limited 4WD range, with the main difference between comparable vehicles being their age and the price available for your travel dates.
Don’t Compare the Daily Rate Alone
The daily rate is an obvious place to start when comparing motorhome hire, but it doesn’t always show you what the complete hire is going to cost.
Different booking websites display their pricing in different ways. You may see an attractive daily rate on the first screen, only to find one-way fees, remote location fees or other compulsory charges added as you work your way through the quote. At Gallivanting Oz, we price these costs upfront so you know what you’re looking at and there are no nasty surprises when you arrive to collect your motorhome.
Motorhome insurance and liability options are another important part of the overall cost. The level you choose can make quite a difference to the final price, but it can also change what’s included in your hire. Depending on the vehicle and level of insurance you go for, items such as additional drivers, outdoor tables and chairs and other extras are often included with higher levels of cover and are available to hire as an additional cost if you opt for the standard level of insurance.
This is where comparing motorhome quotes can quickly become a case of comparing apples with oranges. Each of our hire partners structures its insurance, liability and inclusions differently, so a daily rate alone doesn’t give you the full picture.
Most of our clients choose a higher level of cover for peace of mind. Something as simple as a stone chip to the windscreen can happen, so it’s worth understanding what you are and aren’t covered for. We can explain the options, what’s included and the differences in liability so you can decide what works for you.
There’s a lot to compare, and after many years working with Australian motorhome hire it’s difficult to cover every possible variation in one article. We can explain what is and isn’t included and make sure you’re comparing the complete hire costs rather than just the rate you first saw on screen.
Your Route Can Change Which Motorhome We’d Recommend
Not all of our hire partners operate from every Australian city, so where you want to pick up and return your motorhome can immediately narrow down the options available to you. The vehicle ranges can also differ between locations, which means a motorhome available from one depot may not be an option from another.
Your direction of travel can make a difference too. If your holiday plans are flexible, reversing your route can sometimes give us different availability or pricing to work with, so it’s worth letting us know if either direction would work for you.
You don’t need to have every overnight stop planned before you ask us for a quote. Your pick-up and drop-off locations, the general route you’re considering and any places you particularly want to include give us a good starting point for narrowing down which motorhomes are suitable. We have lots of great resources and suggested travel routes for motorhome and campervan holidays on our website to help provide some framework for length of travel on the popular routes.
Which Motorhome Should You Choose?
There isn’t one best motorhome hire company in Australia or one motorhome that we would recommend to everyone. What works well for one holiday may not be the right choice for another.
We’ve been helping people plan motorhome holidays around Australia for many years, so we know the vehicles, the different fleet categories and the things worth looking at when you’re comparing your options. We can talk you through the differences and help narrow things down without you having to work your way through multiple hire companies and try to compare everything yourself.
And you don’t pay extra to book through Gallivanting Oz for our service and expertise. The easiest place to start is to tell us about the holiday you’re planning – take a look at our motorhome and campervan hire options or get in touch and we’ll take it from there.
