Guide To Renting Your First Motorhome In Australia

If you have never rented a motorhome before, you should absolutely consider this unique method of transport for your next Australian adventure! A motorhome gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and see parts of the country that you may miss by following the main tourist routes…

In this guide, you’ll find some helpful tips to organise your trip and explore Australia the best way!

Planning A Motorhome Holiday

1. Motorhome Size

We offer different motorhome sizes to suit every traveller. The first thing you need to think about is: how many people will be travelling?

2-Person Motorhomes

Our Cruisin’ Sandpiper, Cruisin’ Rover and Cruisin’ HiTop are perfect for couples or solo travellers. With two seat belts, these ones are for up to 2 people. The motorhomes are about 6 metres long and fit in a standard car spot!

You’ll have everything you need in the motorhome from a fully equipped kitchen (cutlery and all your cooking utensils included), permanent or convertible comfy beds (linen, pillows, doona included), lots of storage and even an onboard shower and toilet (except for the Cruisin’ HiTop).

Consider the area that you will be driving to, your holiday activity plans, and your motorhome requirements. We provide well-equipped and maintained motorhomes so you have a comfortable motorhome holiday in Australia.

💑 Here is why the Cruisin’ Sandpiper is perfect for couples' travels!

Image: Cruisin’ Sandpiper

4-Person Motorhomes

Discover our Cruisin’ Adventurer and Cruisin’ Seeker for an amazing family road trip. Those two are perfect for a family with young children seeking a budget-friendly motorhome hire adventure. With 2 double comfortable beds, a fully equipped kitchen with all your accessories as well, your own private ensuite bathroom with a separate shower and toilet, plenty of room for everyone, a TV/DVD player for movie night with popcorn… You’ll spend an amazing time exploring Australia, feeling like you’re going back home every day.

And for a little more luxury, our Cruisin’ 4-Berth Deluxe is the one for you. Enjoy our latest model on the fleet, guaranteed to be less than 2.5 years old, with our latest layout and amenities. Say hello to convenience with a fixed rear bed and a cosy overhead bed – guaranteeing no fuss at bedtime! This vehicle is also perfect for couples seeking extra space and luxury on the road.

Image: Permanent bed at the rear of our Cruisin’ 4-berth Deluxe

6-Person Motorhomes

Discover convenience and spaciousness with our Cruisin’ Discovery, perfect for larger families or groups of up to 6 persons. This motorhome hire makes life on the road easy. Enjoy a great open kitchen with everything you need there, a 3-burner stove, a massive fridge for all the family’s favourites (and even a freezer for some later ice-cream treats…).

Also enjoy the overhead bed, as well as 2 convertible dinettes. You’ll be happy to have your own private ensuite bathroom in your motorhome to feel refreshed anytime!

And last but not least, elevate your Australian holiday experience to the pinnacle of luxury with our Cruisin’ 6-berth Deluxe. Meticulously designed with modern amenities, this motorhome hire has space for up to 6 travellers and is ideal for large families and groups. With a guarantee to have the latest model under 2.5 years old, this is the ultimate modern and luxurious vanlife experience you could ever ask for!

🌸 Read our full guide about travelling with kids (and make the most of it)!

Image: Cruisin’ 6-berth Deluxe, perfect for young or large families & couples

2. Branch Locations’ Opening Hours

With branches in Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and Perth, you are sure to find a starting and ending point for your Australian road trip!

Make sure that your chosen depot is open on the day and at the time that you plan to start your Motorhome hire Australia holiday. You may need to adjust your travel plans for the first day to fit in with the time that you can pick up the motorhome.

Feel free to reach out to our friendly team at 1300 664 485 if you have any questions or concerns! You can also read our FAQs.

3. Get To Know Your Motorhome

When you pick up the motorhome, our friendly staff will go through all the aspects of the motorhome that you may need to know and how everything works!

Please, don't be afraid to ask any questions at the depot, we’re here to help! We want your journey to be as smooth and stress-free as possible!

Visit the Cruisin’ Motorhomes YouTube channel and watch helpful demo videos about the motorhome you are renting. If something is not working or you’re having some issues, feel free to call our Roadside Assistance Team at 1300 016 532, available 24/7.

Image: Cruisin’ Sandpiper

4. Plan Your Route

When planning your motorhome holiday, there are a few things to keep in mind at all times:

You must drive on sealed roads only (read the difference between sealed and unsealed roads)
You must not drive at night (and here is why)
Follow those Dos and Don'ts (for a safe journey)

While living your motorhome road trip dream, you may discover the perfect beach and decide that you would like to spend a week just relaxing by the water… The joy of a motorhome holiday is to give you the freedom to explore at your own pace, to slow down and enjoy every little moment. Remember to be flexible, itself is a big part of the destination.

✨ Get inspired with our detailed itineraries and our latest blog articles!

Image: Bundaberg Rum Distillery, QLD

Packing Essentials For Your Road Trip

1. Cook Up Your Meals

One of the best features of a motorhome holiday is the ability to self-cater most of your meals or even all of them! Indeed, this is a great way to save money on your Australian road trip (but one restaurant or two is always enjoyable…).

Pack the basics with you or stop at a supermarket such as Coles or Woolworths to stock up on all your essentials for the road (think pasta & rice, favourite snacks, bread & spreads…). Then shop local for delicious fruits & veggies with meats or fish.

All our motorhomes are equipped with a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette: stove & grill, fridge & freezer and even a microwave! Plus, you will have everything you need to prepare your meals and enjoy them! Make sure you check our motorhome cooking tips and our best tips to stay healthy on the road!

Image: Cooking made easy in our fully equipped kitchen

2. Packing Tips

We recommend using soft bags and backpacks over larger hard suitcases. Then, you can pack your clothes into packing cubes! This is a great way to keep everyone organised on a campervan holiday.

Don’t overpack! We all do, but… A motorhome hire holiday is all about living on the road and going back to the essentials. Yes, we promise you don’t need those fourteen (14) t-shirts for a 14-day rental… 😊

Here's a list of everything included in your rental!

3. First Aid Kit

Don't allow small accidents to ruin your awesome motorhome holiday in Australia. Pack a basic first-aid kit with all the basics that you may need, such as painkillers, plasters, and anti-itch creams.

Don’t forget to bring lots of sunscreen! The sun in Australia can be quite strong, and sunburns are never welcome… Especially when you had planned to go hiking in Wineglass Bay the following day, or on a boat cruise to swim with thousands of colourful fish, it’ll be so sad to miss it!

Final Tips - Things To Keep In Mind

1. Allow Breaks During The Drive

Distance in Australia is always underestimated! Make sure you check your routes on Maps or another app to know exactly how far your next destination is. We recommend taking a short break every 2 hours of driving to stretch your legs and even include fun activities on the way.

When travelling with young kids, plan to stop for a few days at each campsite along the way. They can get very bored on long drives, and no one wants whining kids in the back of the motorhome…

Here are our best hobbies for a road trip!

Image: Cruisin’ 6-berth Deluxe, perfect motorhome for a family of four

2. Follow The Rules & Australian Laws

For your own safety, it is extremely important that all drivers become familiar with the Australian road rules.

Every passenger must have their seatbelts fastened at all times during driving. It is forbidden to use any of the amenities in the motorhomes while driving (such as the bathroom, the kitchen or lying down on the beds).

Children may need age-appropriate child seats or restraints. Check out our latest Child & Booster Seat guide.

3. In Case Of Emergencies

Each rental comes with our 24/7 Roadside Assistance. The phone number is on the back of the vehicle keys (1300 016 532). Feel free to save it to your phone so that you are prepared in case of any emergency during your holiday.

In Australia, all emergency services can be reached by dialling 000.

End

Image: Make the best stops while travelling with our Cruisin’ Motorhomes

Start Planning Your Trip!

The most important thing is to relax and enjoy the freedom that a motorhome holiday in Australia provides. Hit the road and discover all that this amazing country has to offer!