Ditch the Hostel — Hit the Road from $29/Day
Why share a dorm when you can have your own campervan? Budget campervan rentals from Cairns start at just $29/day — cheaper than most hostels, with the freedom to explore tropical North Queensland on your own terms.
Cairns is one of Australia's top backpacker destinations, and for good reason. The Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife make it a must-visit on any Australian backpacking itinerary. But instead of being stuck in a hostel dorm, why not hire a cheap campervan and combine your accommodation and transport into one affordable package?
Backpacker campervan rentals from Cairns start from as little as $29 per day — often cheaper than a hostel bed in peak season. You get your own private space, a comfortable double bed, basic kitchen facilities, and the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want. No more bus schedules, no more shared bathrooms, no more noisy dorm mates.
Whether you're working your way down the east coast, exploring the Daintree, or just looking for a base while you tick off bucket-list experiences like the reef and bungee jumping, a cheap campervan from Cairns is the smartest way for backpackers to travel.
From $29/day — split between two people, that's just $14.50 each. Cheaper than most Cairns hostel dorms.
No more shared dorms, noisy room-mates, or fighting for bathroom time. Your campervan is your private room on wheels.
Save a fortune on food by cooking in your campervan kitchen instead of eating out every night.
Go where you want, when you want. No bus timetables, no tour schedules, no checkout times.
Save even more by using free camping spots and rest areas throughout tropical North Queensland.
Pick up in Cairns, drop off in Brisbane or Sydney. Perfect for the classic east coast backpacker route.
Several rental companies specialise in budget backpacker campervans in Cairns. Here are the most popular options:
The Cairns to Sydney east coast drive is the quintessential Australian backpacker road trip. In a campervan, you can do it at your own pace, stopping at all the highlights along the way.
Key stops include Mission Beach (cassowaries and white-water rafting), Townsville and Magnetic Island (koalas and snorkelling), Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays (sailing and reef tours), Hervey Bay (whale watching), Noosa (surf and sunshine), Byron Bay (beaches and vibes), and finally Sydney. Most backpackers take 2–4 weeks for this epic drive.
Maximise your budget by cooking meals in your campervan kitchen, using free camping spots (check WikiCamps app), filling up at cheaper petrol stations outside major towns, and travelling with a partner to split costs. Many campervans have solar panels or dual batteries, so you can camp off-grid for free instead of paying for powered sites.
Look out for relocation deals — rental companies often need vehicles moved from Cairns to Sydney or Brisbane, and offer these one-way hires at huge discounts, sometimes as low as $1 per day. These deals are time-limited, so you'll need to be flexible with dates.
Collect your campervan from any of our 10 depots across Australia