Motorhomes in Australia – providers, information, rent
#1 tips for choosing the right motorhome type
Whether at Uluru in the Red Center or at the famous Lucky Bay on the south-west coast: anyone who explores Australia in a motorhome will experience great freedom and can enjoy the unique nature of DownUnder particularly intensely. And in hardly any other country is vacationing in a camper as easy as on the fifth continent. The selection of campsites is almost too big, the locals themselves love this way of traveling and are extremely helpful with questions and problems. So there are really only two important questions: Which route do I choose? And what is the right motorhome type for me?
Vehicle selection: adventurous or comfortable?
The first thing to clarify is whether a mobile home is sufficient for tar roads or whether it should also be off-road. Beginners who have no experience should tend to book a normal rolling home. Basically, all vehicles offer sleeping places and a small kitchen with refrigerator and cooking facilities. Good to know: The refrigerator is powered by a second battery. You can therefore travel for a few days without needing a power connection. Brand new vehicles are also equipped with solar panels on the roof to keep the battery alive.
Four motorhome types to choose from
There are basically four different vehicle types. The two major landlords such as Maui&Britz and Apollo have all categories in their program, which can be compared despite the different designations and equipment. In principle, the following applies anyway: Even two vehicles in the same category from the same rental company can differ in details due to the different year of construction – sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.
Mobile home type 1: Small, manoeuvrable and economical
The smaller models are about the size of a VW bus and can be booked from Britz, for example, under the name Hitop. These are easy to drive, especially for beginners, fit into any parking space and consume comparatively little fuel. However, the space is very limited, so that the seating area has to be converted into a bed every day. In addition, there are no toilets or showers on board. In many cases there is also no air conditioning in the living cabin, which can be very disadvantageous depending on the travel time and region. Depending on the model and provider, between two and four people can travel inexpensively in such a vehicle. The sleeping places are usually distributed over a bed below (on the converted seating area) and the alcove, although many people are annoyed by the low height.
Mobile home type 2: Lots of comfort for two
In the medium-sized motorhomes, travelers enjoy significantly more space. They are based on a transporter such as a Mercedes Sprinter or VW Crafter and are assumed to be “Britz Venturer” or “Cheapa Campa – Cheapa 2 Berth”. It is true that the seating area, which is much larger and more comfortable, has to be converted into a very lavish and comfortable double bed. There is also a toilet and shower on board here – but in a mixed cabin, so that after the shower the area around the toilet is also wet. Almost all models of this size also have air conditioning and heating. The kitchen block is also larger here. In addition to the stove, some motorhomes also have a permanently installed outdoor grill – perfect for the evening BBQ. And if nature isn’t enough for entertainment, sometimes finds a television on board (although the antenna often does not receive anything). Depending on the design, these vehicles are suitable for two or three adults or two adults and one child.
Motorhome Type 3: For the family
Depending on the equipment, the large mobile homes are suitable for four to six people. They are recognizable by the length of the vehicle and the massive alcove above the driver’s cab. They are rented out as “Maui Beach” or as “Apollo – Euro Camper”. These vehicles usually have two large double beds – in the rear and usually in the alcove (with plenty of headroom). In addition, the seating area can usually be converted into a bed, which is only suitable for children and young people due to its limited length. Compared to the other vehicles, there is often an oven on board, and the refrigerator is even larger.
Motorhome Type 4: With four-wheel drive into the outback
If you want to explore DownUnder beyond the paved roads, you need an off-road mobile home. Driving on slopes with a normal camper is not only dangerous and is usually forbidden anyway for insurance reasons. In addition, the usual mobile homes are simply not suitable for this. Depending on the model, the all-terrain motorhomes – for example the “Cheapa Campa – 4WD Trailfinder” and the “Red Sands – 2 person all-wheel drive camper” offer space for up to three people, whereby it then becomes very cramped in both the driver and the living cabin . This vehicle category scores with all-wheel drive, high ground clearance and a so-called snorkel, so that water passages are also possible.
The equipment also includes a small refrigerator and a gas cooker with two burners. For sleeping, either the roof is folded up – on the bushcamper, on the other hand, the roof is permanently higher anyway. In addition to the upper lying surface, there is usually one in the living cabin (by converting the seating area). Alternatively, some models also have a roof tent – and instead of a seating area, they have plenty of storage space. If you want to discover regions like the Kimberleys, you have to rely on these vehicles. And the unique nature makes up for the limited comfort. We wrote our own blog post about vehicles with roof tents: Camping in the Roof Top Tent.
Another tip for your mobile home selection
Apart from the large mobile homes (category 3), storage space is scarce everywhere. So it is better to take travel bags with you instead of hard-shell suitcases. Sometimes the luggage can also be stored with the rental company, which of course does not work with one-way rentals with return at another station. As a rule, all mobile homes are equipped with sockets – but these only work if the vehicle is connected to an external power source at the campsite. This also applies to the microwave, which many of the larger models have.
#2 Tips for choosing the right motorhome provider
It’s not just about which type of motorhome you should choose, but also the question of which provider (i.e. brand) you should choose.
If you want to enjoy the vastness and wilderness of Australia with a motorhome, you have a wide choice when booking the vehicle. Travelers can rent their rolling home from around a dozen brands (providers). In a detailed comparison, we present the most important providers to make your choice easier. Because next to the model, the choice of the rental company is the second important decision. Depending on the provider, the age and equipment of the vehicle as well as the rental conditions also vary. In addition, not all rental companies are represented nationwide at the most important airports in Australia. In addition to individual companies, there are also providers who operate with several brands for different target groups – from comfortable to cheap. Maui, Britz and Mighty are all part of a company, as are Apollo, Cheapa Camper,
