What's the minimum age to hire a campervan?

Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21. Some budget companies accept drivers from 18 with a young driver surcharge of $10-$25/day. Check specific age requirements when requesting a quote.

Can I hire a campervan on a working holiday visa?

Yes — international visitors with a valid overseas driving licence can hire campervans in Australia. If your licence isn't in English, you'll need an International Driving Permit. Working holiday visa holders are eligible for standard rentals.

Is a campervan cheaper than hostel travel?

For two or more travellers, a campervan is almost always cheaper than hostels plus bus fares. A budget campervan at $25/day for two people equals $12.50 each — less than most hostel dorms. Add cooking savings and free camping, and the difference is significant.

What are relocation deals?

When rental companies need vehicles moved between cities (e.g., excess campervans in Cairns need to be in Sydney), they offer heavily discounted one-way hires — sometimes as low as $1/day. These deals have fixed routes and timeframes but offer incredible value.

Can two people share driving duties?

Yes — most campervans allow an additional driver at no extra cost or for a small daily fee. Both drivers must meet the minimum age requirement and hold a valid licence. Sharing driving on long trips is highly recommended.

Cheap Campervan Rental for Students in Australia

Budget-Friendly Adventures for Gap Years & Uni Breaks

Australia is the ultimate student travel destination, and a campervan is the cheapest way to explore it. With budget vehicles from $25/day covering transport and accommodation, your dollar goes further on the road.

Whether you're on a gap year, uni break, or working holiday visa, a campervan is the most affordable and adventurous way to travel Australia. For the price of a hostel bed, you get your own private vehicle with a comfortable bed, kitchen for cooking meals, and the freedom to go wherever the road takes you.

Student travellers love campervans because they combine transport and accommodation into one low daily cost. Instead of paying separately for bus tickets, hostel beds, and restaurant meals, everything is covered by your campervan hire — and you can cook your own food to save even more.

We specialise in finding the cheapest deals for budget-conscious travellers. Our entry-level campervans start from just $25/day, and multi-week discounts bring the cost down even further for extended trips.

Why Students Choose Campervans

From $25/Day All-In

Budget campervans cover transport and accommodation in one low daily rate — cheaper than hostels plus buses.

Cook Your Own Meals

A campervan kitchen saves $30-$50/day on food compared to eating out. Buy groceries and cook for free.

Unlimited Kilometres

Drive the entire east coast or circumnavigate Tasmania without worrying about mileage charges.

Free Camping Options

Thousands of free camping spots across Australia mean you can travel for days without paying for a campsite.

Social Travel

Campgrounds are social hubs where you'll meet fellow travellers from around the world.

Flexible Plans

No fixed itinerary means you can stay longer at places you love or change direction on a whim.

Best Budget Campervans for Students

For students on a tight budget, these vehicle types offer the best value:

Station Wagon Camper — the cheapest option with a mattress and basic camping gear, from $20/day
Low-Top Campervan — compact, fuel-efficient, with a proper bed and basic kitchen, from $25/day
Hi-Top Campervan — full standing height, better kitchen, more comfortable for longer trips, from $35/day
Relocation deals — one-way specials that need vehicles moved between cities, sometimes from $1/day

How to Save Even More Money

Stretch your travel budget further with these student-tested money-saving strategies:

Book longer hires — daily rates drop significantly for 14+ day rentals, sometimes by 30-40%
Travel off-peak — avoid school holidays (Dec-Jan, Easter, June-July) when prices are highest
Use free camping — apps like WikiCamps list thousands of free and low-cost camping spots
Cook every meal — supermarket groceries cost a fraction of restaurant meals
Share fuel costs — travelling with a friend halves the fuel bill instantly
Look for relocation deals — rental companies sometimes offer $1/day deals to move vehicles between cities
Fill up at major brands — supermarket fuel dockets and major station loyalty cards save cents per litre

Popular Student Road Trip Routes

These routes are favourites among student and backpacker travellers:

Sydney to Cairns East Coast (2,500 km, 2-4 weeks) — the classic backpacker route with beaches, hostels, and adventure activities
Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road (900 km, 1-2 weeks) — dramatic coastline and wine regions
Tasmania Loop (1,500 km, 2 weeks) — compact island with incredible nature and friendly campgrounds
Perth to Exmouth (1,250 km, 2 weeks) — Ningaloo Reef snorkelling, whale sharks, and deserted beaches
Adelaide to Alice Springs (1,530 km, 1-2 weeks) — outback adventure through the heart of Australia

Working Holiday + Campervan Combo

Many students on working holiday visas use campervans for the travel portions of their stay. Work in a city for a few months, then hire a campervan for a multi-week road trip before your next job. Some travellers buy campervans for extended stays, but hiring is more practical for trips under 2 months — no registration, insurance, or maintenance hassles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Backpacker Campervan Hire Solo Traveller Hire Low-Top Campervan Hire Road Trip Costs Guide Free Camping Guide

Pickup Locations Across Australia

Collect your campervan from any of our 10 depots across Australia

Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Perth Adelaide Cairns Darwin Gold Coast Alice Springs Hobart Auckland Christchurch Queenstown

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Ready For Your Next Adventure?

Book now and start planning your dream trip. Special prices for early bookings.

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