Apollo Alice Springs: Hire Fleet, Depots & What to Expect

Why Apollo is One of the Most Popular Choices in Alice Springs

Alice Springs is one of the most logistically interesting places in Australia to pick up a campervan. It sits roughly in the dead centre of the continent, it's a long way from anywhere, and the roads radiating out from it — north to Darwin, south to Adelaide, west to Uluru — are some of the most dramatic driving you'll do in your life. Apollo is one of the few operators with a genuine depot here, which immediately puts it on the shortlist for anyone planning a Red Centre trip.

Apollo is Australia's largest campervan hire group. Under its umbrella you'll also find Britz, Mighty, and Cheapa Campa — all operating from shared or nearby depots. That scale matters in Alice Springs because it means a bigger fleet, more one-way options, and generally reliable vehicle availability even in peak season (May to August). It also means you should compare carefully, because the same depot might offer you a very different vehicle at a very different price depending on which brand you book through.

If you want to see how Apollo stacks up against its sister brand, our Apollo vs Mighty comparison breaks down the differences in fit-out, pricing, and who each brand suits best. And if you're weighing Apollo against Britz specifically, the Apollo vs Britz guide covers that in detail too.

The Apollo Alice Springs Depot: Location and Practicalities

Apollo's Alice Springs depot is located on the southern edge of town, close to the airport on Stuart Highway. The address is around 46 Stuart Highway, Stuart — a short taxi or rideshare ride from the Alice Springs Airport terminal, which is itself only about 15 kilometres from the town centre. If you're flying in, budget around $20–$30 AUD for a cab to the depot, or check whether Apollo is offering a shuttle at the time of your booking (availability varies by season).

Depot hours are typically 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, with reduced hours on weekends. This is not a 24-hour operation, so if your flight lands late on a Sunday afternoon, you may need to overnight in Alice Springs before picking up. Always confirm current hours directly with Apollo when you book — they do adjust seasonally and around public holidays.

The depot handles vehicle handovers, briefings, and returns. Briefings in Alice Springs tend to be more thorough than at coastal depots because staff know you're heading into remote country. Pay attention: they'll cover water tank capacity, tyre change procedures, and what to do if you break down on an unsealed road. Don't rush this part.

Apollo's Fleet Available from Alice Springs

Not every Apollo vehicle in the national fleet is available from Alice Springs. The depot here focuses on the models most suited to outback travel — generally the mid-range and larger campervans and motorhomes. Here's a realistic overview of what you're likely to find:

Vehicle	Sleeps	Toilet/Shower	Approx. Daily Rate (AUD)	Best For
Euro Camper	2	No	$90–$160	Couples, budget travel
Euro Deluxe	2	No	$110–$180	Couples wanting more comfort
Endeavour	2	Yes (ensuite)	$140–$220	Couples, longer trips
Euro Star	4	Yes	$160–$260	Small families, groups of 4
Motorhome (6 berth)	6	Yes	$200–$320	Families, extended trips

Rates above are indicative ranges based on shoulder and peak season bookings — actual pricing shifts significantly depending on travel dates, hire duration, and how far in advance you book. Peak season (June–August) in Alice Springs can push rates toward the top of those ranges or beyond. Always check live pricing directly or use CamperCompare to compare what Apollo, Britz, Mighty, and others are actually quoting for your specific dates.

One thing worth knowing: Apollo vehicles from Alice Springs are generally well-maintained and relatively modern. The fleet turns over regularly. That said, if you're after a premium motorhome experience, you might also look at Star RV (also part of the Apollo group) or consider an independent operator. Our Cruisin' vs Apollo comparison is worth a read if you're in that bracket.

One-Way Hire: The Real Reason to Book Apollo from Alice Springs

One of Apollo's biggest advantages in Alice Springs is its one-way hire network. Because it operates depots in Darwin, Adelaide, Broome, Cairns, and all major capitals, you can pick up in Alice and drop off almost anywhere — or vice versa. This is genuinely useful in the Red Centre, where doing a return loop isn't always the most interesting option.

The most popular one-way routes from Alice Springs are:

• Alice Springs to Darwin — roughly 1,500 km up the Stuart Highway, typically 5–10 days. See our Alice Springs to Darwin Stuart Highway guide for the full route breakdown.
• Alice Springs to Adelaide — around 1,530 km south through the outback. If you're coming the other way, the Adelaide to Alice Springs Explorer's Way guide covers that route in detail.
• Darwin to Alice Springs — the reverse of the Stuart Highway run, popular with travellers heading south. Our Darwin to Alice Springs guide has everything you need.

One-way fees apply and vary by route and season. On popular routes like Alice to Darwin, the fee can be minimal or even waived during relocation periods — worth asking Apollo about when you enquire. On less common routes, expect to pay $200–$600 AUD in one-way fees on top of your hire rate.

The Uluru Run: Alice Springs as Your Base

A huge proportion of people hiring from Apollo Alice Springs are heading to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta. The drive is about 450 km each way on the Lasseter Highway — sealed all the way, straightforward driving, but remote enough that you need to be prepared. Apollo vehicles are fine for this route; you don't need a 4WD.

For a detailed breakdown of the route, campgrounds, and the permit situation for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, read our Alice Springs to Uluru campervan trip guide. The short version: book your campsite at Ayers Rock Resort's Yulara campground well in advance (especially June–August), carry extra water, and fill up with fuel in Alice before you leave.

What Apollo Includes — and What Costs Extra

Apollo's standard hire includes basic kitchen equipment (pots, cutlery, crockery), bedding and linen, and a GPS in most vehicles. What it doesn't include by default:

• Insurance reduction: The standard excess on an Apollo vehicle can be $5,000–$7,500 AUD. You can reduce this to $0 by purchasing their Platinum Cover, which typically adds $35–$65 per day depending on vehicle size. This is worth serious consideration in the outback.
• Camping chairs and table: Often available as an add-on pack, around $30–$50 for the hire period.
• Baby/child seats: Available to hire but must be booked in advance.
• Additional drivers: Usually $5–$10 per day per extra driver.
• Fuel: You pay for all fuel. Alice Springs petrol prices are higher than capital cities — budget accordingly. Diesel vehicles are more economical on long outback runs.

One gotcha specific to Alice Springs: some Apollo vehicles have restrictions on unsealed roads. If you're planning to drive on dirt tracks — say, out to Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop rather than the sealed route — confirm with Apollo whether your vehicle is permitted on that road. Breaching road restrictions can void your insurance entirely.

How Apollo Compares to Other Operators in Alice Springs

Apollo isn't the only game in town, though the field is thinner here than in Sydney or Melbourne. Here's a quick comparison of who operates from or near Alice Springs:

Operator	Own Alice Springs Depot	Fleet Size (Alice)	One-Way Options	Price Tier
Apollo	Yes	Large	Excellent	Mid
Britz	Shared with Apollo	Large	Excellent	Mid–Premium
Mighty	Shared with Apollo	Medium	Good	Budget–Mid
Cheapa Campa	Shared with Apollo	Medium	Good	Budget
Travellers Autobarn	No (nearest: Adelaide)	N/A	Limited	Budget
Jucy	No	N/A	Limited	Budget
Star RV	Shared with Apollo	Small	Good	Premium

The practical upshot: if you want a depot physically in Alice Springs with a proper fleet, you're largely choosing between Apollo's family of brands. That's not a bad thing — the vehicles are reliable and the one-way network is genuinely useful — but it does mean you should compare across those brands rather than just defaulting to Apollo. Running a search on CamperCompare for your specific dates will show you what Britz, Mighty, and Cheapa Campa are quoting alongside Apollo, which can save you a meaningful amount on a two-week hire.

For a broader look at all your options, our Alice Springs campervan hire operators guide covers the full picture including outback preparation tips.

Practical Tips for Picking Up in Alice Springs

A few things that will make your Apollo Alice Springs hire go more smoothly:

1. Book early for peak season. June, July, and August are busy. Vehicles at the Alice Springs depot sell out. If you're travelling in this window, book at least 3–4 months ahead.
2. Arrive the day before if you can. Picking up first thing in the morning gives you a full day of driving. Arriving late and picking up the next morning means you lose a day.
3. Do a thorough pre-departure check. Walk around the vehicle with the depot staff and photograph every scratch, dent, and mark before you drive away. This protects you on return.
4. Stock up in Alice. Woolworths and Coles are both in town. Once you leave Alice heading toward Uluru or Darwin, prices at roadhouses jump significantly and selection drops.
5. Check tyre condition. Ask the depot staff about the spare tyre and make sure you know how to use the jack. Outback roads are hard on tyres.
6. Download offline maps. Mobile coverage disappears quickly outside Alice Springs. Google Maps offline or a dedicated app like Hema Explorer is essential.