Ditch the Hostel — Hit the Road from $29/Day
Why share a dorm when you can have your own campervan? Budget campervan rentals from Sydney start at just $29/day — often cheaper than a hostel bed, with the freedom to explore NSW and the entire east coast on your own terms.
Sydney is where most backpackers start or end their Australian adventure, and for good reason — the harbour city is iconic. But instead of burning through your budget on overpriced hostels in Kings Cross or Bondi, hire a cheap campervan and turn your accommodation into an adventure vehicle.
Backpacker campervan rentals from Sydney start from as little as $29 per day. That's often cheaper than a hostel dorm bed in Sydney, and you get your own private space, a comfortable double bed, a kitchen to cook your own meals, and the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want.
Sydney is the perfect launchpad for Australia's best backpacker routes. Head north along the Pacific Highway to Byron Bay and Brisbane, south along the coast to Melbourne, or west to the Blue Mountains for a wilderness adventure. With a campervan, the entire east coast is your oyster.
From $29/day — split between two, that's $14.50 each. Most Sydney hostel dorms cost $30–$50 per night.
No snoring strangers, no 6 AM alarm clocks that aren't yours. Your campervan is your private room.
Sydney restaurants are expensive. Cook meals in your campervan and save a fortune on food.
No bus timetables, no tour schedules. Drive wherever the mood takes you, whenever you want.
Sydney is the perfect starting point for the classic east coast backpacker route to Byron Bay, Brisbane, and Cairns.
Pick up in Sydney, drop off in Melbourne, Brisbane, or Cairns. No need to backtrack.
Several companies specialise in budget backpacker campervans in Sydney:
Sydney sits at the crossroads of Australia's best backpacker routes. Here are the most popular drives:
Maximise your budget by cooking in your campervan kitchen, using free camping spots (WikiCamps app is essential), shopping at Aldi for groceries, and travelling with a partner to split costs. Look for relocation deals — companies regularly need vehicles moved from Sydney, sometimes offering $1/day rates.
NSW has excellent free camping along the coast, particularly south of Sydney. Rest areas on highways and some council-designated areas allow free overnight stays for self-contained vehicles. National park campgrounds are also affordable at $6–$12 per person per night.
Collect your campervan from any of our 10 depots across Australia