If you have ever checked the cost of hiring a motorhome you quickly realise that it can be quite expensive. Fortunately, it is possible to get cheap motorhome hire if you know where to look and have the freedom to travel at short notice. We hired a 6-berth motorhome for $5 per day.
Read on as we show you how hiring a campervan or motorhome is possible for as little as $1 per day.
Need a car or van for your road trip? Check prices here
Choices of travel in Australia
A road trip is one of the best ways to explore Australia. Whether you are travelling the outback or the coastline of Australia there is nothing like getting out on the open road. During our travels we often camp in our tent which we love. As great as camping is, there are times when we think wouldn’t it be nice to have a little more comfort.
Visit any van park and you will soon realise just how many people are out and about exploring Australia in a caravan or motorhome. While this is a great way to travel, there are many people that don’t have a caravan or motorhome and the only option is hiring.
Click here for motorhome hire with 10% discount for bookings made by 31st August 2023.
What are the benefits of hiring campervans or motorhomes?
Apart for the obvious cost of owning, hiring has many advantages such as:
- Trialling different campervan or motorhome configurations
- Accessibility when arriving by air at a new location
- Ability to choose the best type of campervan or motorhome to suit the terrain you want to visit
- Freedom to travel and explore locations at your own pace
- No ongoing maintenance costs or ownership fees
- Overall cost saving without having to outlay for a purchase
- Campervans for hire can be found in most large towns Australia wide
Budget campervan hire advertisements may seem like a great deal, but you need to also factor in any hidden charges. Just as you would with car hire when renting a motorhome or campervan you still need to factor in the costs of additional insurance to cover the vehicle should the unexpected happen. Plus, their will likely be a requirement that the vehicle is returned with a full tank of fuel and if applicable a full gas bottle.
Other things to check especially with cheap motorhome hire rates is the number of kilometres you are allowed, as you may find it is capped at a certain distance per hiring day. Also factor in if the vehicle can be driven on unsealed roads.
So, what is the difference between a campervan and a motorhome?
Basically, campervans are conventional van-sized vehicles that are configured for self-contained living with beds, cooking facilities etc and usually best suited for 2 persons with a focus on outdoor living.
Whereas motorhomes are larger and come with air conditioning, toilet, shower and will have more general space. The larger motorhomes for hire can accommodate up to 6 persons. Also, if it is raining a motorhome would be more comfortable than a campervan.
How to get cheap motorhome hire for $1 per day
When motorhomes and campervans are hired, they are often hired for a certain number of days and driven in one direction. For example, from Brisbane to Cairns or Perth to Darwin or across the Nullarbor etc. This shuffling of vehicles means that at times vehicles need to be relocated back to major hubs.
This becomes especially relevant during change of seasons when demand for campervan hire is greater in the southern states for people wanting to travel north. Or when demand drops off for the Northern Territory due to the onset of the wet season from November to April when demand ceases for places such as Darwin.
To get the vehicles returned most of the campervan hire companies offer relocation deals for campervans and motorhomes sometimes as little as $1 per day. The only stipulation is that these deals come with a set number of days to complete the journey. The good thing however is that you only pay $1 or sometimes $5 per day for the hire. Cheap campervan hire does not get much better than that.
What are the pros and cons of relocation deals?
Pros:
Very cheap rental as low as $1 per day.
Often generous allowance is provided for fuel.
Full-service vehicle including all amenities the same as a full paying rental.
Often a selection of vehicles available.
Extra day can usually be added for additional reduced rate.
If you are considering purchasing a motorhome or campervan it is a cost-effective way of trying out such a vehicle.
Cons:
Set time limit on the duration of the cheap motorhome hire.
Set kilometre allowance depending on start finish locations.
Night driving is not permitted.
Vehicles cannot be driven on unsealed roads.
Refundable deposit payable upon booking.
Rentals are pre booked but you run the slight risk of the vehicle not being available. Although this is rare, it can happen. For instance, if a full paying customer had a breakdown and the vehicle you were allocated had to be quickly put into service.
Real world experience of motorhome relocation in Australia
We completed a Darwin to Cairns motorhome relocation and paid just $5 per day. The journey started at Darwin and took us through spectacular scenery of the Northern Territory, along the Barkly Highway through Cloncurry onto Townsville and up the east coast to Cairns.
Over 3000 kilometres for the 2 of us in a 6 Berth motorhome. It was a trip to remember, and the total hire cost was 6 days at $5 per day plus and optional day rental at $75. Total hire $105 for 7 days in a fully equipped motorhome.
We were also provided with a $450 fuel allocation that was paid to us on arrival in Cairns after providing receipts for fuel purchases.
Click here to see our video of the motorhome we relocated plus pros and cons of taking a motorhome relocation.
Would we recommend taking a motorhome relocation in Australia?
Relocation deals are snapped up quickly as they are such a great deal, so you need to get in quick to secure one. If you have the time available for short notice travel, then they are a great way to travel in comfort for a fraction of the normal rental cost.
Most of the campervan and motorhome rental companies have relocation deals available on there websites. Or alternatively there are websites that specialise in relocations.
Click here for motorhome hire with 10% discount for bookings made by 31st August 2023.
The website we used is called DriveNow. They have a daily email of last minute campervan relocations and upcoming campervan, motorhome and even 4WD relocations. The whole booking process for us was very straight forward and the hire went off without any hitches.
We would consider doing another relocation to explore different regions of Australia at a greatly reduced hire rate.
Last words on cheap motorhome hire
If you are considering Australian motorhome rentals, then it is well worth looking at the various motorhome relocations on offer. You may find a great deal just like we did. Have you done a motorhome or campervan relocation? We would love to hear how it went.
Also, if you have any questions on relocations feel free to drop us a line as we are always willing to help. Happy Road Tripping?
