Apollo vs Britz: Which Campervan Hire Brand is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Apollo and Britz is arguably the most important campervan hire decision you'll make in Australia or New Zealand. These two brands dominate the market — Apollo with the biggest fleet in the southern hemisphere and Britz with its premium mid-range positioning under the THL Group umbrella. Together they account for roughly 60% of all campervan bookings across both countries.

But here's the twist most travellers don't know: since 2022, Apollo and Britz are technically part of the same family. THL Group acquired Apollo, meaning the competitive landscape has shifted. So how do they differ in practice, and which one should you book? This comprehensive 2026 guide covers every angle — pricing, fleet quality, insurance, depot networks, customer service, one-way options, and hidden fees — so you can make an informed decision.

Company Background: Understanding the THL Connection

Apollo Tourism & Leisure was founded in Brisbane in 1985 and grew to become the largest campervan hire company in the southern hemisphere. With a fleet of 5,000+ vehicles across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, Apollo built its reputation on affordable pricing and wide vehicle choice. In 2022, Apollo merged with Tourism Holdings Limited (THL Group), the NZ-based company that already owned Britz, Maui, and Mighty.

Britz was founded in New Zealand in 1985 (the same year as Apollo!) and has been part of the THL Group for decades. Britz positions itself as the reliable mid-range option — not as budget as Mighty, not as premium as Maui, but the sweet spot for most travellers. THL also owns Maui (premium, newest vehicles) and Mighty (budget, oldest vehicles in the rotation).

Now that Apollo sits under the THL umbrella, you might expect both brands to merge into one fleet. That hasn't happened — Apollo retains its own identity, pricing structure, and vehicle standards. But behind the scenes, fleet management is increasingly shared. An older Maui vehicle becomes a Britz, and may eventually filter into the Apollo fleet. This cascading model means Britz vehicles are typically newer on average than Apollo's.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Apollo	Britz
Parent Company	THL Group (since 2022)	THL Group (long-standing)
Founded	1985 (Brisbane, Australia)	1985 (New Zealand)
Fleet Size	5,000+ vehicles	3,500+ vehicles
Vehicle Age	2–5 years	1–3 years
Vehicle Range	2-berth to 6-berth + 4WD	2-berth to 6-berth
Price Range	$55–$250/day	$65–$300/day
Minimum Driver Age	21+	21+
AU Depots	10 (incl. Alice Springs, Darwin)	8 (major cities + Alice Springs)
NZ Depots	3 (Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown)	3 (Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown)
Budget Sub-brand	Hippie Camper	Mighty (sister brand)
Premium Sub-brand	—	Maui (sister brand)
Toilet/Shower Available	✅ Yes (4+ berth models)	✅ Yes (4+ berth models)
One-Way Hires	✅ Widely available	✅ Widely available
4WD Campervans	✅ Yes (Adventure Camper)	✅ Yes (Outback 4WD)
Countries	AU, NZ, USA, Canada	AU, NZ

Fleet & Vehicles: What You'll Actually Be Driving

Apollo's Fleet

Apollo operates the largest campervan fleet in the southern hemisphere — over 5,000 vehicles across Australia and New Zealand. This scale is a genuine advantage: better availability during peak season (December–February), school holidays, and Easter when smaller operators sell out weeks in advance.

Apollo's vehicle lineup covers almost every need:

• Hitop — The flagship 2-berth campervan built on a Toyota HiAce. Standing room inside, gas cooker, 65L fridge, sink, and a comfortable double bed. Arguably the best-value 2-berth van in Australia for couples.
• Euro Tourer — 2-berth motorhome with a more car-like driving experience, built-in kitchen, and shower/toilet in larger configurations.
• Euro Star — 4-berth motorhome with rear lounge converting to a double bed plus overhead sleeping area. Popular with young families.
• Euro Deluxe — 6-berth motorhome with full bathroom (toilet and hot shower), spacious kitchen, multiple sleeping configurations, and enough room for a family of 5-6.
• 4WD Adventure Camper — Purpose-built 4WD camper for unsealed roads. Perfect for the Gibb River Road, Cape York, or Central Australia where sealed-road-only vehicles can't go.

Vehicle age across the Apollo fleet typically ranges from 2–5 years. Since the THL merger, some vehicles cascade down from Maui (newest) to Britz to eventually Apollo's fleet. This doesn't mean you'll get a tired vehicle — maintenance standards are high across all THL brands.

Britz's Fleet

Britz operates approximately 3,500 vehicles across Australia and New Zealand. The fleet is generally newer than Apollo's — typically 1–3 years old — because Britz sits in the middle of THL's vehicle cascade: Maui gets the newest vehicles, Britz gets them next, and Mighty gets them last.

Key Britz models include:

• Venturer — 3-berth motorhome with shower/toilet, perfect for couples who want self-contained comfort. Equivalent to the Maui River but 1–2 years older.
• Explorer — 4-berth motorhome ideal for families. Double bed plus dinette conversion, full bathroom, well-equipped kitchen. Equivalent to the Maui Beach.
• Frontier — 6-berth motorhome for larger families. Three sleeping areas, spacious living space, and all the creature comforts.
• Outback 4WD — 4WD campervan for outback adventures. Rooftop tent, built-in kitchen, and genuine off-road capability.
• HiTop — Britz's 2-berth budget option, similar specification to Apollo's Hitop but typically a year or two newer.

The newer vehicle age is Britz's single biggest advantage over Apollo. You're more likely to get a van with modern infotainment, better fuel economy, fresher upholstery, and the latest safety features.

Pricing: Where Apollo Wins on Value

Apollo is consistently 5–15% cheaper than Britz for comparable vehicle types. Here's a realistic pricing comparison for a 14-day hire in peak season (January 2026):

Vehicle Type	Apollo (14 days)	Britz (14 days)	Difference
2-berth Hitop/HiTop	$1,190–$1,540	$1,330–$1,680	Apollo saves $140–$200
4-berth Motorhome	$2,100–$2,660	$2,380–$2,940	Apollo saves $280–$350
6-berth Motorhome	$2,800–$3,500	$3,150–$4,060	Apollo saves $350–$560
4WD Camper	$2,450–$3,080	$2,660–$3,220	Apollo saves $210–$350

These savings add up quickly on longer hires. A 3-week family trip in a 6-berth motorhome could save you $500–$800 by choosing Apollo over Britz. The trade-off is a slightly older vehicle — but if the van runs well and the kitchen works, most families won't notice the difference between a 2022 and 2024 model.

Pro tip: Both brands run seasonal sales. Britz's "Early Bird" promotions (book 90+ days ahead) can close the price gap, and Apollo's last-minute deals can make them even cheaper. Always compare both on CamperCompare for your specific dates and route.

Insurance & Excess Reduction

Insurance is often the hidden cost that catches first-time campervan hirers off guard. Both Apollo and Britz include basic insurance (CDW — Collision Damage Waiver), but the standard excess is high:

Insurance Level	Apollo	Britz
Standard Excess	$5,000–$7,500	$5,000–$7,500
Reduced Excess (daily fee)	$25–$45/day → $500–$2,500 excess	$30–$50/day → $500–$2,500 excess
Zero Excess (daily fee)	$40–$65/day → $0 excess	$45–$70/day → $0 excess
Windscreen/Tyre Cover	Included in higher packages	Included in higher packages
Overhead Damage Cover	Included in top package	Included in top package

Both companies use a similar tiered model — you pay a daily fee to reduce or eliminate the excess. Apollo's insurance packages are typically $3–$5/day cheaper than Britz's, which further extends Apollo's price advantage.

Third-party excess reduction: An increasingly popular option is to skip both brands' internal insurance and buy a standalone excess reduction policy from a provider like RentalCover or iCarhireinsurance. These typically cost $8–$15/day and reduce your excess to $0, saving significantly compared to both Apollo and Britz's own zero-excess packages. Just check that the policy covers campervans and motorhomes (not all do).

Depot Network: Where You Can Pick Up & Drop Off

Depot locations determine which routes are possible with one-way hires. Here's where each brand has depots:

Australia

City	Apollo	Britz
Sydney	✅	✅
Melbourne	✅	✅
Brisbane	✅	✅
Cairns	✅	✅
Perth	✅	✅
Adelaide	✅	✅
Darwin	✅	✅
Alice Springs	✅	✅
Hobart	✅	✅
Gold Coast / Surfers Paradise	✅	❌

Apollo has a slight edge with its Gold Coast depot — useful for one-way hires along the East Coast. Both brands cover every major capital city and popular outback departure points (Darwin, Alice Springs, Cairns).

New Zealand

Both Apollo and Britz have depots in Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown. This covers the standard NZ hire routes (Auckland → Christchurch, Christchurch → Queenstown loop). Neither has depots in Wellington, though both allow drop-offs at ferry terminals for North–South Island crossings.

One-Way Hires & Relocation Deals

One-way hires are one of the most popular ways to explore Australia — pick up in Sydney, drop off in Cairns after driving the East Coast. Both brands excel here:

• Apollo: One-way fees range from $100–$400 depending on the route. Popular routes (Sydney→Melbourne, Brisbane→Cairns) are often fee-free during peak season when the operator needs vehicles repositioned. Apollo's larger fleet means more availability for one-way options.
• Britz: Similar one-way fees. Britz is particularly strong on the Darwin→Adelaide route (which crosses the Red Centre) as they maintain good fleet numbers in both cities.

Relocation deals: Both brands offer deeply discounted relocation hires when they need vehicles moved between depots. These can be as low as $1/day + fuel — genuinely incredible value if your schedule is flexible. Check CamperCompare's relocation section or the brands' own relocation pages.

Customer Service & Reviews

Both Apollo and Britz have mixed reviews online — which is normal for high-volume rental operators. Here's a balanced assessment based on aggregated reviews from Google, TrustPilot, and ProductReview:

Category	Apollo	Britz
Google Rating	3.8/5	3.9/5
Pick-up Process	Efficient, can be busy	Smooth, well-organised
Vehicle Condition	Good (occasional older van complaints)	Very good (newer fleet)
Roadside Assistance	24/7, responsive	24/7, responsive
Damage Claim Disputes	Occasional complaints	Occasional complaints

The most common complaint for both brands relates to damage claims at return — minor scratches or chips that the renter didn't notice during pickup. The solution is the same for both: take detailed photos and video of the entire vehicle (including the roof!) before driving off the lot. Make depot staff note any existing damage on the contract.

Who Should Choose Apollo?

Apollo is the better choice if you:

• Want the cheapest price for a reliable campervan from a major brand
• Don't mind a vehicle that's 2–5 years old rather than brand new
• Need a 4WD campervan for outback adventures (Apollo's Adventure Camper is excellent)
• Are hiring from the Gold Coast (only Apollo has a depot there)
• Want the widest choice of vehicle types and sizes
• Are comparing prices across multiple brands and Apollo comes out ahead on your dates

Who Should Choose Britz?

Britz is the better choice if you:

• Prefer a newer vehicle (1–3 years old) with modern features
• Are willing to pay 10–15% more for newer fit-out and better fuel efficiency
• Want the THL ecosystem — option to upgrade to Maui or downgrade to Mighty at booking
• Are planning a long trip (2–4 weeks) where newer vehicle reliability matters more
• Value a slightly slicker brand experience at pickup/dropoff

Best Routes for Apollo and Britz

Both brands work well on any major route, but here are some where each excels:

Best with Apollo

• East Coast (Sydney → Cairns or vice versa): Apollo's Gold Coast depot lets you break this epic drive into segments. Excellent availability on Australia's most popular campervan route.
• Central Australia (Alice Springs → Darwin): The 4WD Adventure Camper handles unsealed detours to places like Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges.
• Tasmania loop: Apollo has a Hobart depot and the cheaper pricing makes Tassie road trips very affordable.

Best with Britz

• Great Ocean Road (Melbourne → Adelaide): A beautiful coastal drive where Britz's newer, more comfortable vehicles shine.
• New Zealand South Island: Britz has strong availability in Christchurch and Queenstown for the classic NZ circuit.
• Perth → Exmouth (Coral Coast): Long-distance drive where a newer, fuel-efficient vehicle saves money over the 2,500+ km journey.

Hidden Fees to Watch Out For

Both brands charge similar add-on fees that can increase your total cost significantly:

• Booking/administration fee: $50–$100 (both brands)
• Additional driver: $5/day per driver (Apollo) vs free with some Britz packages
• Child/baby seat: $10–$15/day, max $150 per hire (both)
• Camp table and chairs: $5–$10/day (both)
• GPS navigation: $5–$8/day — honestly, just use your phone with an offline maps app
• Linen pack: $35–$50 one-off (bring your own sleeping bag instead)
• One-way fee: $100–$400 depending on route and availability
• Late return: Up to a full day's rental charge (both brands)
• After-hours return: $50–$100 (both brands)

To minimise fees, book early, avoid unnecessary extras, bring your own bedding and navigation, and always return on time.

New Zealand: How They Compare Across the Ditch

Both Apollo and Britz are major operators in New Zealand with depots in Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown. The pricing differential is similar to Australia — Apollo is typically 5–15% cheaper — but the NZ market has some unique considerations:

• Self-contained certification: NZ requires many campervans to be certified self-contained (with onboard toilet) for freedom camping. Both brands offer self-contained vehicles, but Britz has a higher proportion of self-contained options in their NZ fleet.
• Ferry crossings: If your route includes crossing between the North and South Islands, both brands allow this but charge a ferry surcharge on top of the actual Interislander or Bluebridge ferry ticket. Budget $200–$300 for vehicle + passengers.
• Winter driving: NZ's South Island requires snow chains in winter. Both brands offer these as a paid extra ($30–$50 per hire). Britz vehicles tend to have slightly newer tyres, which matters on wet, winding NZ roads.

The Verdict: Apollo vs Britz

This is genuinely a close comparison between two excellent brands. Here's the simple breakdown:

Choose Apollo if price is your primary driver. Apollo consistently undercuts Britz by 5–15% and offers excellent vehicles despite being slightly older. The larger fleet also means better availability, especially for last-minute bookings and school holiday periods.

Choose Britz if you want the newest possible vehicle and are happy to pay a modest premium for it. Britz's position in the THL cascade means you'll typically get a van that's 1–3 years old — newer interiors, better fuel economy, and the latest safety features.

Either way: Both brands are reliable, well-maintained, and have comprehensive depot networks across Australia and New Zealand. You won't regret choosing either one. The best approach is to compare both on CamperCompare for your specific dates and route — seasonal pricing and promotions can swing the value equation in either direction.