10 Things I Didn't Know About Hiring a Campervan in Australia

One of the first surprises when planning our trip was the sheer variety of campervans on offer. I had always pictured the standard camper – you know, a van with a bed and small kitchen – but companies like maui motorhomes offer everything from compact campervans perfect for couples to fully equipped luxury motorhomes that feel more like a hotel on wheels. Whether you’re after something cosy or need extra room for a family, there’s a vehicle to suit every style of travel. 

With so many campervans and campervan hire companies available, it can be a little overwhelming to choose a company to rent with. However, after plenty of research, I realised that what sets established rental companies like maui apart from private platforms like Campermate is the peace of mind they provide. Renting through maui means you’ll have quality assurance, reliable maintenance, and insurance options built into your package, so there are no surprises. Plus, their campervans often come with features like power steering and reversing cameras, making them much easier to handle than you might think. It’s worth taking the time to choose the right van for your trip—it can make all the difference! 

2. You don’t need a special driver’s license

Another revelation? You don’t need a special driver’s license to drive a campervan in Australia! I was worried about whether Nigel would need to upgrade his standard car license, but for most campervans and motorhomes, a regular driver’s license is all you need. If you’re visiting from overseas, check that your license is valid in Australia or get an International Driving Permit (IDP). 

Modern campervans are also much easier to drive than I’d imagined. With power steering, automatic transmission, and compact designs, navigating through cities or winding country roads is surprisingly straightforward. If you’re unsure, maui provides plenty of great driving tips to help you prepare and make your trip safer and more enjoyable, which I found incredibly helpful as a first-timer. 

3. Seasonal pricing and the best times to rent 

If you’re travelling on a budget like we were, understanding seasonal pricing is a true game changer. Rental prices fluctuate throughout the year, with peak holiday seasons (think Christmas, Easter, and school holidays) being the most expensive times to book a campervan hire. Planning our trip for early autumn helped us avoid the rush and snag a great deal. 

For budget-conscious travellers, the best times to rent are during the shoulder seasons, like March to May or September to November. The weather is still fantastic in most corners of Australia, but prices are often lower, and campsites are less crowded. Best of all, companies like maui will often run seasonal specials, so keep an eye out for promotions that could save you hundreds. 

Pro tip: If you have a flexible itinerary, booking a one-way campervan hire during less popular routes or times can sometimes score you a discount, as companies need to relocate their vehicles. 

4. Insurance options and roadside assistance

Before this trip, I had no idea how complex campervan insurance could be. Thankfully, maui motorhomes offers a range of insurance options, from limited liability to comprehensive coverage, so you can choose the level of protection that suits you best. For peace of mind, we opted for full coverage—for us, it was not worth the risk when exploring remote areas. 

One feature I’d recommend looking for is roadside assistance. It’s often included in packages from reputable companies, and it’s a lifesaver if you run into any issues on the road. This is another reason to rent through an established provider like maui rather than a private platform, where support may be limited or non-existent. 

Pro tip: Read the fine print of your rental agreement to understand what’s covered. For example, some policies exclude damage to the roof or undercarriage, so it’s good to know what to avoid. 

5. Hidden costs to watch out for

We quickly learned that the advertised rental price isn’t the whole story. Hidden fees like one-way hire charges, cleaning fees, or additional mileage costs can add up if you’re not careful. To avoid surprises, take the time to read the rental agreement carefully. We loved that maui’s terms and conditions are so straightforward, which made it easier to plan our budget. 

One trick we used was pre-paying for extras like GPS or bedding packs to avoid higher charges at pick-up. Also, return your camper clean and with a full tank of fuel to skip unnecessary return cleaning and admin fees. By understanding the potential costs upfront, you can enjoy your trip without worrying about blowing your budget. 

6. Flexibility in travel plans

One of the great perks of hiring a campervan in Australia is the ability to explore at your own pace. In fact, this is one of the reasons I was able to convince my reluctant partner to go on a campervan trip with me in the first place! Whether you're dreaming of a coastal road trip or an Outback adventure, there are truly endless options for planning an Aussie Road trip of your dreams. Whenever I need inspiration, I always head to the maui website as they have a huge catalogue of some of Australia’s most iconic road trips.  

With unlimited mileage and some options for after-hours drop-offs, maui also ensures your itinerary stays as flexible as you need it to be. Whether you decide to extend your stay at a national park or take a spontaneous detour, these features make campervan travel even more convenient. 

7. Campervan-friendly campgrounds and facilities

One of the biggest questions I had when starting out was, “can I park anywhere in a campervan in Australia?” While this is sadly not the case, finding the right spot to park your campervan overnight turned out to be much easier than I thought—and it was a fun part of the adventure!  

We discovered a mix of options, from well-equipped holiday parks with hot showers and BBQ areas to scenic free camping spots where it was just us and the stars. Apps like WikiCamps and CamperMate became our go-to tools for finding the best locations, whether we wanted a bit of luxury or a quiet retreat in nature. 

Plus, the thl Roadtrip App was a game-changer—it gave us recommendations for nearby campgrounds, facilities, and even activities we hadn’t considered. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about finding spots to park overnight, but with these resources, we always felt confident we’d find a safe and comfortable place to stop. Plus, some campgrounds even offered bonus perks, like Wi-Fi or communal kitchens, which made the experience even better. 

If you’re planning your own campervan hire road trip, I’d recommend downloading a few of these apps before you go—they’ll save you so much time and help you find hidden gems along the way. 

8. Eco-friendly travel options 

Nigel and I are always conscious of how our travels impact the environment, and campervan trips are no exception. One of the things we loved about hiring a campervan in Australia is that it already reduces your footprint compared to flying or staying in multiple hotels. But there’s still plenty you can do to make your journey more sustainable. maui motorhomes’ responsible travel guide really helped us figure out simple ways to travel greener. 

We took small but effective steps, like carrying reusable water bottles, avoiding single-use plastics, and planning our route to minimise unnecessary driving. Opting for a campervan with solar panels was a great way to reduce our reliance on traditional power sources. And honestly, things like refilling our water at designated stations or properly sorting our rubbish became part of the rhythm of our trip, reminding us to respect the incredible places we were exploring. 

9. Australia's unique road rules

Driving in Australia was definitely a learning curve for us, especially since I wasn’t used to driving on the left. But after a few hours on the road, it became second nature. We also realised there are a few road rules that might surprise first-time visitors. Thankfully, maui has a fantastic campervan driving tips resource that covered all the essentials, so we felt well prepared.