Hiring a Motorhome in Australia
FREEDOM can arrange Maui, Britz, Apollo and Cheapa Campa motorhome hire from locations across Australia. Please find below the main conditions of hire for the period April 2024 to March 2025 (please click here for April 2025 to March 2026 conditions of hire).
The Rental
On collection of your vehicle, you will be asked to sign the motorhome company’s own terms and conditions of hire, making the rental subject to a direct contract between you and the motorhome company. A credit card bond will be taken to cover any additional charges, such as fuel, damage excess and optional services.
Driver Qualifications
To drive a Cheapa Hitop or Cheapa Endeavour drivers must be at least 18 years old and hold a full drivers licence. For all other motorhomes, drivers must be at least 21 years old and have held a valid drivers licence for at least 24 months. There is no upper age limit.
Additional Drivers
For Maui, Britz and Apollo rentals, one additional driver can be added free of charge. For Cheapa Campa rentals, there is a fee of $4.00 per additional driver per day, up to a maximum charge of $60.00 per driver, paid locally at the motorhome depot. This fee is waivered if a ‘Value Pack‘ is purchased.
Child Seats
Child seats are available to hire from $42.00 per rental, or included in the ‘Value Pack‘ for most vehicles. Please request the number of child seats you need before you travel.
Location & One Way Hire Fees
The following location and one way hire fees are payable at the motorhome depot:
- Pick-up or drop-off in Hobart – $115
- Pick-up or drop-off in Broome – $835
- Pick-up or drop-off on a public holiday – $115
- One way hire between any of Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Hobart – $185
- One way hire between Darwin, Perth, Broome or Alice Springs and any other location – $280
Please note, the Broome, Darwin and Alice Springs depots are closed during the wet season, December to March.
Mileage
Unlimited mileage is included in all rentals, with the exception of 4×4 vehicles, where a $0.55 per km fee is charged for every kilometre driven above a 300 km daily limit.
Minimum Hire
A minimum hire of five days applies to all rentals, increasing to 20 days for rentals that include any of the period 26 December to 7 January. Higher minimum rental periods may also apply over special events.
Route Restrictions
In general, two wheel drive motorhomes may only be driven on properly formed or sealed roads. For all vehicles, permission may be required to travel to an island, including Magnetic Island or Kangaroo Island, or to certain remote areas.
Travel is not permitted to a number of places, including, but not limited to, K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), Moreton Island, Ghan Heritage Road and Boggy Hole. Please enquire for full details.
Insurance
Basic insurance for vehicle loss or damage is included in all rentals, subject to the following excess/standard liability, as well as the exclusions below:
- 4×4 vehicles = $8,000
- Other Maui and Apollo motorhomes – $7,500
- Other Britz and Cheapa Campa motorhomes – $5,000
A deposit for this amount must be paid on a credit card on vehicle collection. It will then be refunded on return of the vehicle if no damage, or breach of hire, has occurred. Please note, foreign currency exchange fees charged by the card issuer may not be refunded.
Exclusions
Costs arising from some situations are not covered by the basic insurance, and will be payable even if the amount exceeds the excess/standard liability deposit paid. These include, but are not limited to:
- Overhead and underbody damage to the vehicle, however caused
- Single vehicle rollover
- Vehicle recovery from a situation that could have been prevented
- Loss of keys
- Misfuelling
Excess Reduction – Value Pack
Excess reduction is available to reduce the liability to nil, and can be pre-paid for as part of a ‘Value Pack’ when you book your motorhome, at a cost of:
- 4×4 vehicles – £42 per day, plus £185 ‘Additional 4×4 Cover’
- Other Maui and Apollo motorhomes – £38 per day
- Other Britz and Cheapa Campa motorhomes – £35 per day
The ‘Value Pack’ and ‘Additional 4×4 Cover’ also includes:
- Accidental overhead and underbody damage cover
- Single vehicle rollover cover (excluding Cheapa Campa)
- Unlimited windscreen and tyre cover (excluding Cheapa Campa)
- Any additional driver or mileage fees
- Picnic table and chairs
- Portable fan/heater
- Child seats (on request, excluding some 4×4 vehicles)
Please note, you are not covered for loss or damage to the vehicle caused by driver negligence, reckless driving or water ingress.
Roadside Assistance
24 hour roadside assistance covering mechanical faults to the vehicle is included in your hire. Callouts for non-mechanical faults, such as a flat tyre or battery, will incur a charge. Insurance to cover such situations is available to purchase locally.
Card Fees
Please note, payments made in Australia by debit or credit card may be subject to a transaction fee.