Campervan & Motorhome Hire Cairns
Tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.
Secure your booking today with a small deposit and travel later with confidence.
Plan ahead: Secure your vehicle now with a small deposit.
Why Start in Cairns?
Cairns is the gateway to tropical North Queensland. Start your adventure at the Great Barrier Reef, explore the Daintree Rainforest, or head south along the coast to the Whitsundays and Brisbane.
Top Things to Do Near Cairns
Must-visit attractions and experiences within easy driving distance of Cairns — perfect day trips and stopovers for your campervan adventure.
Great Barrier Reef
Day trips from CairnsThe world's largest coral reef system — snorkel or dive among 1,500 species of fish and 400 types of coral.
Daintree Rainforest
2 hours northThe oldest rainforest on Earth (180 million years). Spot cassowaries, crocodiles, and rare plants.
Cape Tribulation
2.5 hours northWhere the rainforest meets the reef — one of Australia's most spectacular landscapes.
Kuranda Village
30 minutes westQuirky mountain village accessible by Skyrail rainforest cableway or the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Atherton Tablelands
1.5 hours westHighland plateau with waterfalls, crater lakes, platypus spotting, and cooler temperatures.
Practical Info for Cairns
Pickup & Depot Info
Cairns campervan depots are mostly located on Sheridan Street and the Captain Cook Highway, just 10 minutes from Cairns Airport and the CBD. Apollo, Britz, Maui, and Travellers Autobarn all operate here. JUCY has a depot on Mulgrave Road. The compact layout means all depots are within a few minutes of each other.
Driving Tips
North of Cairns, the Captain Cook Highway is scenic but winding. The road to Cape Tribulation includes a cable ferry crossing at the Daintree River ($30 return). Watch for cassowaries on the road in tropical areas. Wet season (December–April) can bring flooded roads and creek crossings — check conditions on TMR. Crocodile warning signs are real — never swim in unfamiliar waterways.
Caravan Parks & Campgrounds
Cairns Holiday Park (Little Street) is walking distance to the Esplanade. BIG4 Cairns Crystal Cascades is set in beautiful tropical gardens. For a first night, Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort is highly rated with resort-style facilities. Palm Cove and Trinity Beach (20 minutes north) also have great beachside parks.
Road Trip Guides from Cairns
Detailed itineraries with real campsite recommendations, driving tips, and hidden gems — written by travellers who've driven every route.
One-Way Campervan Hire: Cairns to Sydney Full East Coast
The ultimate Australian road trip: one-way campervan hire from Cairns to Sydney covering the entire East Coast. Compare one-way fees, find relocation deals, and plan the trip of a lifetime.
Campervan Hire Cairns: Tropical Road Trips, Prices & Best Brands (2026)
Your guide to campervan hire in Cairns — prices, brands, Great Barrier Reef access, Daintree day trips, and routes south to Brisbane or west to Darwin.
Tropical North Queensland Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide
Explore Tropical North Queensland by campervan — the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Atherton Tablelands, and remote Cape York country.
Best Waterfalls Near Cairns: Day Trips & Weekend Adventures
Tropical North Queensland is a waterfall wonderland. From the famous Millaa Millaa Falls to Australia's tallest single-drop waterfall, here are the best cascades near Cairns.
Cairns to Darwin Road Trip: The Savannah Way
The Savannah Way stretches 2,700 km from Cairns to Darwin through Australia's wild top end — gorges, hot springs, outback pubs, and unforgettable starry skies.
Cairns to Cape Tribulation Road Trip: Into the Daintree
Drive north from Cairns into the ancient Daintree Rainforest — the only place on Earth where two World Heritage sites meet: the reef and the rainforest.
Available Campervan & Motorhome Brands in Cairns
Compare Apollo, Britz, Maui, JUCY, Red Sands Campers, Spaceships, Star RV, Travellers Autobarn, Cruisin Motorhomes, Camperman, Adventure Rentals, Auto Sleepers, Calypso Campervans, Go Cheap, Lucky Rentals and Cheapa Campa campervan and motorhome hire in Cairns.
Apollo
Premium campervans & motorhomes
One of Australia's largest motorhome rental companies offering premium campervans, motorhomes, and 4WD campers. Modern fleet with well-maintained vehicles.
Best for: Couples, families & luxury travellers
Britz
Premium 4WD campers & motorhomes
Premium 4WD and motorhome specialist known for adventure-ready vehicles. Part of the Tourism Holdings Limited group with depots across Australia and New Zealand.
Best for: Adventure-focused travellers
Maui
Luxury motorhomes
Luxury motorhome brand offering top-of-the-line vehicles with premium interiors, modern features, and comprehensive inclusions for an elevated road trip experience.
Best for: Premium road trips & luxury travellers
Red Sands Campers
Outback-ready campervans
Australian-owned campervan company specialising in outback-ready vehicles. Well-equipped campervans built for the unique demands of Australian road trips.
Best for: Adventurous travellers & couples
Star RV
Premium modern motorhomes
Premium motorhome brand offering the newest and most luxurious fleet in Australia and New Zealand. Mercedes-Benz based vehicles with leather interiors and full en-suites.
Best for: Luxury travellers & premium road trips
Travellers Autobarn
Budget campervan hire
Popular backpacker campervan company with affordable rates, free airport transfers, and vehicles designed for young travellers exploring Australia and New Zealand.
Best for: Backpackers & young travellers
Calypso Campervans
Fun & affordable campervans
Colourful Australian campervan brand offering great value vehicles with everything you need for the open road. Popular with backpackers and young travellers.
Best for: Backpackers & budget travellers
Cheapa Campa
Affordable campervans
Apollo's budget brand offering affordable campervans and motorhomes across Australia and New Zealand. Good value vehicles suitable for travellers who want reliable transport at lower prices.
Best for: Budget travellers & families
Vehicle Categories Available in Cairns
Browse campervan and motorhome types available from trusted suppliers in Cairns.
2 Berth Campervans in Cairns
4 Berth Campervans in Cairns
6 Berth Motorhomes in Cairns
Best Time to Travel
The dry season (May–October) is the best time to visit Cairns with warm days (25–28°C), low humidity, and minimal rain. This is peak season for campervans. The wet season (November–April) brings tropical monsoon rain, high humidity (30–33°C), and some roads may be impassable. Stinger season (October–May) requires stinger suits for ocean swimming.
How Much Does Campervan Hire Cost in Cairns?
Budget campervans from $50/day. Mid-range 4-berth $100–$160/day. Off-season (wet season) rates 40–50% lower. Daintree River ferry: $30 return. Campground costs: $25–$50/night. Fuel: ~$1.70/L in tropical QLD.
Prices are indicative and vary by season, vehicle type, and rental duration. Compare live prices above for the most accurate rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adventure Tours with Dundee
Book your campervan through CamperCompare and unlock 10% off incredible adventure tours — Great Barrier Reef, outback safaris, rainforest experiences, and more.
