Photo: Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr) · CC BY-SA 4.0
Campervan Hire
Sydney
Most popular pickup. Direct flights from everywhere, the big brands all have depots near the airport.
Your Sydney van, best rate found
We check the big brands with a depot in Sydney for your dates and reply with the best rate, usually within 24 hours. Free, and no booking fees.
About picking up in Sydney
Sydney is where most Wanderlust customers start. All major rental brands have depots near Sydney Airport with shuttle pickup. Direct routes north (Pacific Highway → Byron → Brisbane → Cairns) or south (Princes Highway → Melbourne).
Sydney is the default start for the East Coast run, and the fleet here is the biggest in the country, so last-minute deals turn up more often than anywhere else. The big brands all have a depot a short shuttle from the airport, which makes a fly-in, drive-out day one easy.
North is the classic move: the Pacific Highway to Byron, Brisbane and the tropics, about 21 days if you want Cairns without rushing it. South runs the Princes Highway to Melbourne through Jervis Bay and the Sapphire Coast, quieter roads and better free camps. One-way fees to Cairns are higher from Sydney than from Brisbane, so if the north is all you want, compare both.
Most relocation deals start in Sydney too, which is how a van drops to a few dollars a day when your dates are flexible and you can move fast. We flag those when they come up.
Around Sydney
Three places worth the trip once you've got the keys.
Popular routes from Sydney
Top one-way and return trips travellers take from here. Times include sightseeing stops.
21+ days · Pacific Highway · Byron · Brisbane · Whitsundays
Get a quote for this routeRoad trips from Sydney
All road trips →
Sydney → Cairns
Surf towns, sand islands and the Reef, one coastline the whole way.
- Distance
- ≈ 3,000 km
- Stops
- 13 overnight bases
Brisbane → Melbourne
The whole south-east coast: Byron's surf, Sydney Harbour, Jervis Bay and the Prom.
- Distance
- ≈ 2,300 km
- Stops
- 11 overnight bases
Brisbane → Sydney
A week of NSW surf towns, from Byron Bay down to the Harbour Bridge.
- Distance
- ≈ 1,000 km
- Stops
- 6 overnight bases
Van types available from Sydney
2-Seater, 2-Sleeper Campervan
From $49/day
Compact wagon with a full bed in the back. Cheapest way to road-trip Australia in a vehicle you can sleep in.
Hi-Top Campervan
From $95/day
The mid-tier sweet spot: stand-up roof, gas stove, fridge, mostly self-contained. Cooks comfortable, sleeps comfortable.
Motorhome
From $175/day
House on wheels. Hot shower, toilet, full kitchen, big fridge. Sleep 2–6 in proper beds. Park-free with reliable plumbing.
Low-Top Campervan
From $79/day
Bigger than a 2-seater, cheaper than a hi-top. Single body height (no stand-up roof) but more storage and a permanent bed setup.
Roof Top Tent
From $119/day
An SUV/4WD with a fold-out tent on the roof. 60-second setup, off the ground for safety/comfort, kitchen kit in the back. Perfect for outback tracks where caravans can't go.
4WD Campervan
From $159/day
Proper 4WD with a built-in camper conversion, pop-up roof, inside bed and kitchen, all on a high-clearance off-road chassis. The only rental rig that does Gibb River Road AND a hot dinner.
Campervan hire in Sydney: common questions
Can I do a one-way rental from Sydney? +
Yes. Sydney to Brisbane, Cairns or Melbourne one-way is standard. Operators charge a one-way fee that moves with season and route, and we build it into the quote so there are no surprises.
How old do I need to be to hire? +
Most operators rent to drivers 21 and over. Some take 18 to 20 with a young-driver surcharge, and we only quote vans you can actually drive once you tell us your age.
What is the minimum hire length? +
Usually four to five days for backpacker vans, sometimes less off-peak. One-way rentals can carry their own minimum, which we confirm for your route.
When is it cheapest? +
May to August is the cheapest window out of Sydney. December and January are peak and book out, so lock it in early or chase a relocation instead.
Can I take the van onto K'gari (Fraser Island) or off-road? +
No. Standard 2WD campervans are not insured for sand or unsealed tracks, so K'gari and the rough sections past Cape Tribulation are out. Park the van and jump on a tour for those, which we can book too.
