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East coast motorhome trip planner

Know what your east coast motorhome trip will really cost

Rental is only part of the bill. Add diesel, campsites and one-way fees for your route, your dates and your family — then compare motorhomes with the full number in front of you.

Work out my trip cost Sydney to Cairns in 21 days
  • Rental, diesel, campsites and one-way fees in one total
  • Day-by-day routes with realistic driving times and rest days
  • Every price and specification linked to its source
A campervan parked on a hilltop above farmland at sunset
Rural VictoriaPhoto: Kenneth Sonntag / Unsplash

Example trip totals

Two classic one-way routes

4 travellersA$200 a daydiesel, campsites and one-way fee included

Sydney → Cairns 21 daysabout 2,400 km8 rest days Example totalA$6,207 Cairns → Brisbane 14 daysabout 1,700 km4 rest days Example totalA$4,251
Estimates from our calculator's starting values — not quotes. Use my numbers
  • Independent guideWe're not a rental company. We show companies we earn nothing from, too.
  • Sourced and datedEvery figure links to where it came from. Guides last reviewed 22 October 2026.
  • The whole costHeadline daily rates leave out diesel, campsites and one-way fees. We add them.

Trip planner

Your full trip cost, and who will rent to you

This is an estimate, not a quote. Tell us the trip, and we'll add up rental, diesel, campsites and the one-way fee, then show which rental companies fit it, using rules we checked on their own websites. Live prices and availability are only on the companies' sites.

Your trip
days
people
Vehicle and drivers
Suggested from the number of travellers. Change it if you want more room.
Under 7s must use a child or booster seat in Australia.
Rental
A$/ day
Example only. Published motorhome rates in Sydney range from about A$70 to A$360 a day depending on size and season.
A$
Varies by company: Britz, Apollo and Mighty publish A$200 between east coast cities, Cruisin' A$165, Spaceships none. Each company's fee is shown in the list below.
Driving
km
Detours to beaches, national parks and day trips.
L / 100 km
Published figures for 6-berth rentals run from 11 to 14 L/100 km.
A$/ litre
Campsites
A$/ night
Powered caravan park sites average about A$40–50; popular coastal spots can reach A$60–80 in peak periods.
%
Lower it if you'll use free or low-cost sites.

Estimated trip total

—

  • Rental—
  • Diesel (—)—
  • Campsites—
  • One-way fee—

Estimate, not a quote. Got a real quote? Put its daily rate above to see your true total.

Next: see companies for this trip

We check pick-up and drop-off branches, vehicle size, driver age and child seats against each company's published rules.

How this estimate is worked out
  • Rental = days × the daily rate you enter. Real quotes vary by date, vehicle and season.
  • Distance = our estimate of the main coastal route (Sydney–Cairns about 2,420 km, Cairns–Brisbane about 1,700 km, Sydney–Brisbane about 920 km) plus the extra driving you enter. Return trips count only the extra driving.
  • Diesel = distance × fuel use × diesel price.
  • Campsites = nights (days minus one) × nightly rate × the share of nights you pay for.
  • Not included: insurance or excess reduction, bond, extras, food, activities, tolls and ferries.

Step 2

Which companies fit this trip

Verified read on the company's own website on 22 October 2026 Confirm not published, or it depends on the exact vehicle Live prices only on the company's website

Motorhome Republic

Comparison site: searches many rental brands at once

Non-affiliate link

Compares several rental companies

    One-way fee Shown in each company's live quote

    What we verified, and what to confirm

    Verified 22 October 2026

    • Searches live prices and availability from several rental brands, including Apollo and JUCY, by pick-up city, drop-off city, dates, licence country and driver age. Source

    Confirm with the company

    • Which brands have vehicles for your dates
    • The rental company's own age and child-seat rules
    Compare live prices on Motorhome Republic

    Travellers Autobarn

    Budget campervans and station wagons

    Non-affiliate link

    Enter your trip above to check the fit

      One-way fee Not published as a fixed fee; shown in your quote

      What we verified, and what to confirm

      Verified 22 October 2026

      • Rents to drivers from 18 to 80 with no young-driver fee. Source
      • Branches: Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Source
      • Baby seats fit only the Station Wagon and Hi5 Campervan; the Chubby, Hitop and Kuga take booster seats only. You must tell them at booking if a child seat will be used. Source

      Confirm with the company

      • One-way fee for your route and dates
      • Which models sleep four
      See prices on Travellers Autobarn

      JUCY

      Campervans for couples and small families

      Non-affiliate link

      Enter your trip above to check the fit

        One-way fee Not published as a fixed fee; shown in your quote

        What we verified, and what to confirm

        Verified 22 October 2026

        • Campervans: drivers 18 or over. The campervan range lists 2-, 4- and 6-berth vans (Coaster, Condo, Sunseeker, Big Kahuna and others). Source
        • Motorhomes (Polaris 2- and 6-berth): drivers 21 or over. Source
        • Locations: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Source

        Confirm with the company

        • Which 6-berth an 18 to 20-year-old can book (campervan range 18+, motorhomes 21+)
        • Young-driver surcharge for drivers under 21
        • Whether your chosen van takes a child seat (some models can't)
        • One-way fee for your route
        See prices on JUCY

        Star RV

        Premium 2-, 4- and 6-berth motorhomes

        Non-affiliate link

        Enter your trip above to check the fit

          One-way fee Not published; added to your online quote. One-way hires need Star RV's approval.

          What we verified, and what to confirm

          Verified 22 October 2026

          • Drivers 21 to 75 with a full licence in English, an IDP or a certified translation. Learner and probationary licences aren't accepted. Source
          • Branches: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. One-way hires between any branches except Perth, subject to approval. Source
          • Maximum two children who need a child or booster seat: vehicles have two anchor points. You fit the seats yourself. Source

          Confirm with the company

          • One-way fee for your route
          • Which Polaris model has the anchor points you need
          See prices on Star RV

          Apollo

          2- to 6-berth campervans and motorhomes (thl group, with Britz and Mighty)

          Non-affiliate link

          Enter your trip above to check the fit

            One-way fee A$200 between Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide (A$205 for pick-ups from 1 April 2027)

            What we verified, and what to confirm

            Verified 22 October 2026

            • One-way fee A$200 between Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide; A$300 to or from Darwin, Broome, Alice Springs or Perth. A$205 and A$310 for pick-ups from 1 April 2027. Source
            • Drivers 21 or over, no maximum age. 18 or over only for the Mighty Highball and Double Down, Cheapa Hitop and Endeavour, and Hippie Hitop and Endeavour. Source
            • Australian range from 2 to 6 berths. Anchor points for child seats per model: 2 in most, 1 in the Euro Plus, none in the Euro Mini. Source
            • Child seats only in the forward-facing rear seats, pre-booked, fitted by you. Source

            Confirm with the company

            • Which models a driver aged 18 to 20 can book
            • Anchor points in your exact model
            See prices on Apollo

            Cruisin' Motorhomes

            Australian-owned motorhomes, 2 to 6 berths

            Non-affiliate link

            Enter your trip above to check the fit

              One-way fee A$165 between all branches; one-way hires have a 21-day minimum

              What we verified, and what to confirm

              Verified 22 October 2026

              • Drivers 21 to 79 with a full licence; an IDP or official translation if it isn't in English. Source
              • Branches: Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Perth. One-way rentals have a 21-day minimum hire. Source
              • One-way fee A$165 between all branches. Source
              • Child and booster seats only in selected 4- and 6-berths, two seats at most; none in 2-berths; no baby seats for under-6-month-olds. Source

              Confirm with the company

              • Seat hire price at booking
              See prices on Cruisin'

              Spaceships

              Compact campervans, no one-way fee

              Non-affiliate link

              Enter your trip above to check the fit

                One-way fee No one-way fee

                What we verified, and what to confirm

                Verified 22 October 2026

                • No one-way fee between official depots: Airlie Beach, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Source
                • Drivers 18 or over with a valid licence; no young-driver fee. Source

                Confirm with the company

                • Which models take a child seat
                • Whether a model sleeps four
                See prices on Spaceships

                Company links open in a new tab. None of them earns us a commission yet; when one does, it will be labelled “Affiliate link”. How we're paid.

                Itineraries

                Routes planned day by day

                Realistic driving days, rest days where they help most, and the practical details that catch first-time motorhome travellers out.

                Aerial view of the white sand and turquoise water of Whitehaven Beach
                Whitehaven Beach, WhitsundaysPhoto: Sofia Cerqueira / Unsplash
                One wayFamilies and couples
                1. Sydney
                2. Port Stephens
                3. Port Macquarie
                4. Coffs Harbour
                5. Byron Bay
                6. Gold Coast
                7. Noosa
                8. Hervey Bay
                9. Agnes Water
                10. Yeppoon
                11. Airlie Beach
                12. Townsville
                13. Mission Beach
                14. Cairns

                Sydney to Cairns in 21 days

                Distance
                ~2,400 km
                Rest days
                8
                Example total
                A$6,207

                The full east coast, one way: Byron Bay, Noosa, Agnes Water and the Whitsundays, with realistic daily driving.

                See the itinerary
                Aerial view of the Noosa Heads headland and beaches
                Noosa Heads, Sunshine CoastPhoto: Dillon Hunt / Unsplash
                One wayCouples and families
                1. Cairns
                2. Mission Beach
                3. Townsville
                4. Airlie Beach
                5. Yeppoon
                6. Agnes Water
                7. Hervey Bay
                8. Noosa
                9. Brisbane

                Cairns to Brisbane in 14 days

                Distance
                ~1,700 km
                Rest days
                4
                Example total
                A$4,251

                Tropical north to the Sunshine Coast — the classic two-week motorhome holiday.

                See the itinerary

                Choosing a vehicle

                Which size of camper do you need?

                Start with how many people sleep on board and how many child seats you need. Size drives the daily rate, the diesel bill and where you can camp.

                View from a campervan bed through the open rear doors to the sea at sunrise
                Illustrative photo, South AustraliaPhoto: Sean Gatz / Unsplash

                Campervan, 2–3 berth

                Couples and solo travellers

                • Easiest to drive and park in towns.
                • Many smaller campervans have no shower or toilet, so you rely on campsite facilities.
                • Check: is there an onboard bathroom, and is the bed made up every night?
                Plan a campervan trip
                Two travellers at the dinette table inside a motorhome
                Illustrative photo, United KingdomPhoto: Peyman Shojaei / Unsplash

                Motorhome, 4 berth

                Couples who want space, or families with young children

                • More room to live in on a long trip than a campervan.
                • Check: is there an onboard shower and toilet, and can one bed stay made up?
                • Check: how many child-seat anchor points are in the rear?
                Plan a 4-berth trip
                Lounge seating inside a motorhome
                Illustrative photo, United KingdomPhoto: Peyman Shojaei / Unsplash

                Motorhome, 6 berth

                Families of four to six

                • The four 6-berths we compared with published specs all have an onboard toilet and shower.
                • Published fuel use: 11–14 L/100 km.
                • Child-seat space varies from one to two seats by model.
                Compare 6-berths side by side

                Company links open in a new tab. None of them earns us a commission yet; when one does, it will be labelled “Affiliate link”. How we're paid.

                Before you book

                What price-comparison sites don't tell you

                Most rentals can't go on ferries

                Taking a rental on a ferry can void the insurance. For K'gari or Magnetic Island, park the motorhome and book a tour or a passenger ferry, and check your rental terms.

                One-way fees differ

                From nothing at Spaceships to A$200 at Britz, Apollo and Mighty, and some companies only show it in the quote. One-way fees compared.

                Age rules decide who you can rent from

                Some companies rent from 18, most motorhomes need 21, and a few set a maximum age. Age rules by company.

                Two child seats is the usual limit

                Vehicles have a fixed number of anchor points, and some vans take none. Child seats by company.

                Minimum hire periods

                Campervans usually have a minimum hire of several days, and minimums can rise in peak season. Cruisin' sets 21 days for one-way hires.

                Campsite prices are rising

                NSW introduced a six-tier campground fee system from 1 July 2026; YourLifeChoices reports top-tier campgrounds reaching up to A$89 a night at peak times.

                FAQ

                Common questions

                Can I hire a campervan if I'm under 21?

                Yes, from some companies. Travellers Autobarn, Spaceships and JUCY campervans accept drivers from 18; most motorhomes need 21. See who rents to 18–20 year olds.

                Do I need an International Driving Permit?

                If your licence isn't in English, Star RV and Cruisin' ask for an International Driving Permit or an official translation. If it is in English, a full licence is usually enough. Check your rental terms.

                Can I drive a 6-berth motorhome on a car licence?

                Comparison listings for popular 6-berth rentals say they can be driven on a regular full (unrestricted) licence. Confirm the licence class with the rental company before you book.

                How far is Sydney to Cairns?

                About 2,400 km along the coast, before detours. Our 21-day itinerary splits it into drives of five and a half hours or less.

                Sources

                1. Sydney motorhome rental price range: Road Genius and Camper Champ.
                2. Fuel consumption of 6-berth rentals: published vehicle specifications on Camper Champ.
                3. Diesel price: IBISWorld forecast average retail diesel of 219.5¢ per litre for 2025–26.
                4. Campsite prices and NSW national park fees: YourLifeChoices.
                5. JUCY one-way fee and minimum hire: Canstar Blue (updated November 2022). Mighty one-way fee: Mighty Campers fees and charges. Ferries: VroomVroomVroom.
                6. Sydney to Cairns distance: estimated route on a published relocation listing (2,422 km). Other distances and all driving times are our own estimates.
                7. Young drivers: Travellers Autobarn, Spaceships FAQ and JUCY rental terms. 6-berth licence: Camper Champ. Ferries: VroomVroomVroom.
                8. Vehicle size guidance: general features of rental fleets; confirm the layout of the exact vehicle with the rental company.