DriveNow makes it straightforward and simple to arrange a campervan rental in Cairns by working with the biggest and best brands in the market. Trusted suppliers such as Apollo, Britz, Camperman Australia, Jucy Rentals, Lucky, Let's Go, Maui, Maui Elite, Mighty, and Travellers Autobarn, give you a variety of great makes, models, and sizes to pick and choose from, ensuring you get the keys to the cheapest vehicle that suits your needs.
In addition to awesome selection and convenience, you’ll also get good, honest pricing. Our comparison service is impartial and unbiased, and the prices you see are always the best available, backed up by our lowest price guarantee. You also don’t have to worry about nasty hidden fees, leaving you to spend your money stocking up your new campervan with everything you need for an awesome holiday. All of these perks add up to easy and efficient Cairns campervan or motorhome rental that will help you to get your adventure started off on the right foot.
Why Use DriveNow for Campervan Rental in Cairns?
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Comparing campervans in Cairns since 2003
Having camper or motorhome hire in Cairns is a memorable, laid back, and fantastic way to explore the area. We’ve been helping Australians gain access to the campervans they need for more than a decade, and are ready and waiting to help you compare and find the right fit.
When's the best time to rent a campervan in Cairns?
The most popular months to pick up a campervan in Cairns are during the dry season between May and November.
Which campervan providers are available in Cairns?
All Australia's major camper rental companies have branches in Cairns. These include Apollo, Britz, Camperman, Cheapa Campa, Cruisin, Go Cheap, Hippie, JUCY, Let's Go, Maui, Maui Elite, Mighty, Star RV and Travellers Autobarn.
How much does a campervan in Cairns cost to hire?
This will depend on the time of year and size of vehicle. A mid-range 4 berth campervan with kitchen, toilet and shower rented for 7 days in July will cost around $209 a day. The same vehicle in November will cost circa $149 a day and in January will be $173.
What type of Campervans can I rent in Cairns?
2, 3, 4 and 6 berth campervans are available, catering for every travelling style from budget campers through to luxury appointed motorhomes. 4 Wheel Drive campers are also available and popular for exploring Cape York and the Cairns hinterland.
Can I hire a campervan in Cairns with a toilet and shower?
Yes. All 6 berth motorhomes come equipped with toilet and shower facilities whilst there are 2 and 4 berth campervans with and without bathroom options.
Can I collect a Campervan in Cairns and drop it off in another city?
Yes. One-Way rentals are a common way of exploring Australia and travelling from Cairns down to Brisbane or Sydney is a popular route. Depending upon rental provider and drop-off location there may be a one way fee.
Where are the Campervan branches located in Cairns?
Apollo, Cheapa Campa, Hippie and Star RV - 432 Sheridan Street in Cairns - 4km from the airport
Britz, Maui, Maui Elite and Mighty - 419 Sheridan Street in Cairns - 4km from the airport
Camperman - 440 Sheridan Street in Cairns - 4km from the airport
Cruisin' and Go Cheap - 397 Sheridan Street in Cairns - 4km from the airport
JUCY - 55 Dutton Street in Portsmouth - 7.5km from the airport
Let's Go Motorhomes - 104 Kenny Street in Portsmouth - 8km from the airport
Travellers Autobarn - 123 Bunda Street in Cairns - 7km from the airport
Where's the closest place to fill up with fuel before returning my campervan?
There are 5 petrol stations located on Sherdian Street from the airport through to the city centre which are in close proximately to all the campervan branches.
How does it take to drive a Campervan from Cairns to Sydney?
The most popular route from Cairns to Sydney is down the Bruce Highway tracking alongside the Coral Sea. The journey covers a distance of 2600km and around 28 hours of driving time. Allow yourself 7 days at least to soak up this magnificent coastline.
For first-time campers, making the switch from the comfort of hotels to a home on wheels can be quite a daunting prospect. Questions like, ‘How will we know where we can park?’ and ‘How do we drive such a big machine?’ are understandable if you’ve never been behind the wheel of one. Luckily, hiring a campervan is really a simple, flexible, and fun way to travel, and after you’ve nailed your first trip, you might just be a convert for life. Here are a few simple guidelines to help you prepare for your campervan trip to Cairns, so you’re ready to make the most of your adventure.
Parking Etiquette
Choosing to park at a designated camping ground is the best option with a campervan
Although wild camping away from other people offers optimal peace and quiet, it’s not so easy when you have a vehicle involved. What’s more, it’s hard to know what’s private property or protected landscape, so the safer option is to look for formal camping areas. There are hundreds of beautiful, unspoilt camping spots all over Queensland, where various useful facilities are provided to ensure you are well equipped. If you choose to park up on a spot that’s not a camping ground, be aware that you could land yourself a hefty fine!
Sunny Queensland is perhaps Australia’s most popular holiday destination, thanks to a glorious yearly average temperature of 29C. Even in winter, the temperature in this part of the country doesn’t often dip below 18 degrees, making it an ideal spot for a camping holiday all year round.
The only time that the numbers of tourists flocking to Cairns slows down is during the wet season, which runs from November to early May. Although the chances of rain are higher, booking during this period will likely mean you can get lower rates, cheaper activities, and encounter far less people on your travels.
The busy season in Cairns is May to August, when the weather is best, and you’ll likely find more tourists. Make sure to do your booking through DriveNow to get the cheapest price at your chosen time of year.
Equipment
Enjoy the comforts of home by booking a campervan equipped with everything you need
As you would expect, having a home on wheels requires a substantial amount of kit. Thankfully, DriveNow's partners takes care of all this for you, by equipping your campervan or motorhome with all the essentials for eating, cleaning and sleeping. However, there are a few useful extras that are included with some suppliers and not included with others, like outdoor awnings, tables and tents. To make sure you have everything you need, make sure you check with your chosen supplier before heading off to ensure your van is well equipped for your holiday.
Driving
If you’re a first time camper, the idea of driving such a large vehicle can be a daunting one. However, you’ll be surprised to find that modern campervans like those in the fleets of DriveNow's rental partners are pleasantly easy to drive, with power steering, automatic transmissions, and sleek design to make life much easier for those behind the wheel. Driving your slick, kitted out campervan in Cairns will be a lot easier and fun than you think!
As nice as it sounds to simply cruise up to a deserted beach and park up your campervan, the reality is not always quite as simple. Besides the concern of being kicked out by an angry farmer, it’s also useful to be able to stock up on water and electricity, buy essential supplies, and use a shower! For that reason, camping parks and grounds are advisable places to stop. Luckily there are plenty of these in and around Cairns, equipped with all the facilities you need to be able to fill up, get some shut-eye, and hit the road again.
Cairns Holiday Park
With a swimming pool, Wi-Fi and many other useful facilities, no wonder these campers are smiling! Source:cairnsholidaypark.com.au
If you’re looking to set up camp as soon as you arrive in Cairns without too much driving, then Cairns Holiday Park could be your spot. This popular holiday park is located just 3.5Km from Cairns CBD and just 5km from the airport, so you can cruise from plane to park in no time at all. The park offers a range of facilities such as a swimming pool, Wi-Fi and TV room, so any campers struggling to adapt to life on four wheels will feel right at home. You can choose from unpowered, powered or en-suite spots with varying different facilities at different prices, so make sure you book in advance to get one that suits your needs.
Bramston Beach Campground
Just one hour south of Cairns is the picturesque Bramston Beach Campground. The location is peaceful and secluded, with plenty of opportunities to go for a dip, a spot of fishing, or just relax on the beach. Depending on the needs of your campervan or motorhome, you can take a powered or unpowered spot, and there are also BBQ, toilet, and laundry facilities.
Palm Cove Holiday Park
Experience the beauty of Palm Cove from the comfort of your campervan at Palm Cove Holiday Park Source:turu.com.au
Palm Cove is regularly top of the ‘must visit’ list for visitors to this area, so it’s convenient that they have a well-equipped and motorhome-friendly holiday park for you to set up camp in. Just half an hour’s drive from Cairns Airport, Palm Cove is a peaceful, beachside escape full of exciting activities for you to make the most of the area. Palm Cove Holiday Park is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable, relaxing time in your Cairns campervan, with BBQs, Wi-Fi, and excellent kitchen facilities. With stunning sunsets and the beach right on your doorstep, your plan to stay here one night might just turn into a lot longer!
The beauty of campervan rental in Cairns is that it gives you the freedom and flexibility to do exactly as you please. Without the ties of a hotel to return to every evening, you can change your itinerary on the spot and head wherever the wind takes you. Despite this, it is always good to know what sights, landmarks, and visitor attractions there are, so you have the option to fit them into your road trip and don’t just drive straight past. Here are just a few of the most popular hotspots in and around Cairns to help you get the most into your road trip.
Great Barrier Reef
Explore the habitat of thousands of kinds of marine life with trips to the Great Barrier Reef Source: reeftrip.com
One of Queensland’s biggest attractions for visitors is its proximity to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef the world’s largest coral reef and, in fact, the largest living organism full stop. The famous reef stretches over 2,300 km long and is home to thousands of species of marine life. Not only does the reef make for amazing aerial photos, but it’s an awe-inspiring place to go for a dive, snorkel, or boat trip to learn more about what goes on under the water. Cairns and the surrounding towns along Queensland’s far north are well equipped to offer you any of these activities, with tours, instructors, and guides ready and waiting to help you explore.
The Daintree Rainforest
Experience the outstanding natural beauty of the ancient Daintree Rainforest
Not content with just one outstanding gift from nature to dazzle visitors to the area, Queensland decided it needed another one! The Daintree Rainforest is arguably just as fascinating and beautiful as its neighbour the Great Barrier Reef, as, at more than 135 million years old, it is the most ancient of its kind in the world. What’s more, the two neighbouring spectacles are the only instance where two World Heritage listed sites exist side by side. The Daintree region starts at Mossman Gorge, just an hour’s drive in your Cairns camper hire, and continues for 95km towards Cooktown. There are many ways to experience and enjoy the rainforest, from zip lining to hiking to taking an aboriginal tour.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
See the Austrlaian Tropical Rainforest from a unique perspective with the Skyrail Cableway Source:skyrail.com.au
While there are numerous tours and activities available within the rainforests of Far North Queensland, none will offer you quite the same perspective as the one you can get from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This award-winning gondola system allows you to soar high above the trees in your own cabin to view the canopy of the forest in a close but environmentally friendly way. The Skyrail has terminals in Kuranda, just a short drive from the centre of Cairns, and the gondola will take you 7km away to the terminal in Smithfield. For a memorable way to spend an afternoon or even the whole day, make sure to add this one to your list.
Atherton Tablelands
Another great part of campervan holidays is the freedom of self-catering and not having to fork out on expensive restaurants every night. While this can sometimes pose a challenge, leading to meals that might not quite be restaurant standard, it’s all part of the fun. Heading to places where you know there is definitely good food is a step in the right direction, and for that reason Atherton Tablelands could be a wise stop. The area, just 80 km (49 miles) from Cairns, is known as the ‘food bowl’ of Northern Queensland, boasting the optimal climate for growing hundreds of different types of produce. A cruise around here in your Cairns campervan rental will mean you can stop off at the many specialty farm shops and cafes, or even go on a food tour sampling all the delicious products, from coffee to mangoes to macadamia nuts.
Chances are, like many happy campers before you, once you’ve got the keys to your new best friend you won’t want to simply stay in one place. The beauty of Cairns campervan hire is the freedom to travel and discover a new place every single day, and Queensland is the perfect place to do this. If you’re stuck for ideas for where to start once you hit the road, check out some of these popular routes that have been driven time and time again by campers in Australia.
Cairns to Brisbane
You’ll see plenty of native Australian wildlife on your road trip from Cairns to Brisbane Source:travelwheels.com.au
Whether you decide to tackle this one from north or south, it will still be one of the most popular journeys in the whole of Australia. A total of 1859km, this route can take anywhere from three days to three weeks, depending on how long you choose to stay in each place and how much driving you want to do. Taking the scenic Bruce Highway, you’ll have the chance to stop in some of Queensland’s most iconic towns, including Mission Beach, Townsville, Airlie Beach, Gladstone, Hervey Bay and Noosa. What’s more, you won’t have to worry about getting your vehicle back to Cairns once you’ve finished your trip, either. Pick up one of our campers or motorhomes in Cairns and drop it off once you get to Brisbane before you hop on the plane. Simple!
The Great Tropical Drive
Explore everything this area has to offer with this action packed road trip Source:australia.com
The Great Tropical Drive gives you access to some of the region’s most beautiful scenery and landmarks, taking in the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, and the tropical Tablelands. Although there are more than 20 different variations of the route in order to cater for all lengths of trip, the full 12 day, 2080km route starts and ends in Cairns, heading as far north as Cooktown and as far south as Charters Towers. This route ensures you won’t miss out on any of Queensland’s hot spots, from historical landmarks to hiking routes, so for a true taste of it all, pack your bags for this 12 day voyage!
Cairns to Darwin
While it could be easy to assume Australia is all turquoise waters and dazzling white sands, there’s far, far more to it than that. Taking a road trip in your campervan from Cairns to Darwin will give you a taste of what else the country has to offer, showing the fascinating Australian outback in all its glory. The 3000km route takes you past thermal springs, national parks, and magnificent, untouched scenery. There are plenty of variations of this route, but most involve driving via Townsville, Mount Isa, Daly Waters, and Katherine amongst other stops. This is a great trip to do with a few weeks on your hands, so make sure you have at least 14 days to really make the most of rugged, inland Australia.
Traverse Northern Australian from Cairns across to Darwin and take in some of Australia's most iconic country in Outback Queensland and on into the Northern Territory's Top End
