Campervan Hire Perth

Compare campervans, motorhomes and RVs to hire in Perth, listed by private owners and local hire businesses. See prices, photos and reviews for campervan hire in Australia, then book online with insurance included.

Perth is the starting point for a whole state: the limestone Pinnacles lie to the north, the forests and surf breaks of Margaret River to the south, and the long Coral Coast run heads up to Exmouth. Private owners and local hire businesses list the vans and motorhomes for campervan hire in Perth, and distances are bigger than most visitors expect, so pick a direction before you pick a vehicle. Use the facts and routes below, then search campervans and motorhomes near Perth for your dates.

Perth campervan hire: quick facts

Where to pick up in Perth

Many listings collect from Perth Airport or from suburbs beside it, such as Redcliffe, Kewdale and Welshpool, so you can fly in, collect your van and be on the highway without crossing the city. Private owners often hand over in the suburbs or deliver to an address, so read each listing for the exact pickup point and hours. If your flight lands late, ask about out-of-hours collection.

Hire terms may also limit how far you can take the van and what recovery cover applies on remote roads. Check the listing and the owner's terms.

One-way hire. Perth is a common start or end point for one-way trips, and some listings allow you to pick up in one city and return in another, usually for a one-way fee that depends on the distance. The classic run is Perth to Adelaide, about 2,700 km across the Nullarbor, with Adelaide as the usual drop-off. Melbourne, Sydney and Darwin are further again. If you are driving into Western Australia from the east, note that road checkpoints at Eucla and Kununurra require travellers to declare fresh fruit, vegetables, honey and seeds, so eat or leave them behind before you cross.

Nearby pickup pages. For the far north of the state, see campervan hire in Broome, about 2,240 km from Perth by road. The Western Australia overview covers the wider region, Darwin is a possible drop-off for a one-way run to the Top End, and campervan hire across Australia lists every pickup city.

Routes from Perth

Plan on roughly four to five hours of driving on the days you move, and a rest day every few. Four routes suit a campervan well; for more, see the road trip guides.

Pinnacles and the Indian Ocean Drive (1 to 3 days)

Nambung National Park is about 200 km north of Perth, a little over two hours by the Indian Ocean Drive, just south of Cervantes. The Pinnacles Desert is thousands of limestone pillars rising from yellow sand, and a drive loop of roughly 4 km, plus a short walking trail, lets you see them close up. Go early or late in the day for softer light. Entry costs $17 per standard vehicle at the time of writing, or a valid park pass, and dogs are not allowed in the park. There is no campground in the park, so base yourself in a holiday park at Cervantes or Jurien Bay, which is about 2.5 hours from Perth. Wildflower season runs from about July to October. The park's visitor guide says vehicles over 7 m, caravans and trailers must stay off the Pinnacles Desert loop and use the long-vehicle bays in the car park, so check the van's length and the current access notes before you go.

Margaret River and the South West (3 to 5 days)

Margaret River is about 280 km south of Perth, roughly three hours, and the usual first trip. The region has more than 200 vineyards and about 100 cellar doors, surf breaks such as Surfers Point, limestone caves, and tall forests along the coast roads. Busselton and Dunsborough make easy bases on Geographe Bay, with holiday parks in both areas. Humpback whales pass the coast from June to December, and wildflowers bloom from August to November. A small van suits the winding wine roads and beach car parks.

Albany and the Great Southern (4 to 6 days)

Albany is about 415 km from Perth and takes just over four and a half hours. Torndirrup National Park, 15 minutes from town, has The Gap and the Natural Bridge, and southern right and humpback whales are seen from June to October. Combine it with the South West for a loop of about a week. Albany Holiday Park and BIG4 Emu Beach Holiday Park are two options for powered sites.

Coral Coast to Kalbarri and Exmouth (7 to 10 days)

Perth to Exmouth along the Coral Coast Highway is about 1,250 km. Geraldton is about 420 km from Perth, and Kalbarri a further 155 km or so. Whale sharks gather at Ningaloo Reef from about March to August, humpbacks pass from July to October, and wildflowers bloom between July and October. Summer is hot, and the Australia campervan hire guide suggests April to October for this route. Fuel stops can be far apart, so fill up whenever you can. To keep going north to the Kimberley, look at Broome.

Choosing a van

2WD or 4WD. The Pinnacles, Margaret River, Albany and the Coral Coast Highway are all sealed or well-formed routes that a standard 2WD campervan handles. A 4WD campervan, at roughly $130 to $250 a night, is for sand and gravel tracks, and most hire terms exclude unsealed roads. Check the listing and the owner's terms; Explore Parks WA also advises confirming that your rental agreement allows unsealed roads before you drive one.

Size. A compact campervan is easier to park at Fremantle, Cottesloe and beach car parks. A bigger motorhome with a toilet and shower gives you more freedom between towns. The Northbridge Tunnel on the Graham Farmer Freeway has a 4.9 metre clearance, well above any campervan or motorhome, but many multi-storey and shopping-centre car parks have much lower limits, so ask the owner about the van's height and whether roof damage is covered.

Heat. Summer afternoons in Perth regularly reach the low 30s and climb higher inland, so look for air-conditioning, an awning and a fan.

Pets. Some owners allow dogs, but check the listing. Dogs are not allowed in many national parks, including Nambung and the Leeuwin-Naturaliste sites around Margaret River, so a dog will limit where you can stop.

Long distances. Outside the south-west corner, services are far apart. Roadtrains can be up to 60 m long, kangaroos and other animals can stray onto roads, and mobile coverage fades off the main highways. Optional 24/7 roadside assistance can be added to a booking, and it is worth considering for the Coral Coast and anything remote.

Where you can stay overnight

Holiday parks and caravan parks. The simplest option. Powered sites in WA holiday parks are roughly $40 to $65 a night, and you get water, toilets and showers. Parks line the main routes, including Jurien Bay, Busselton and Albany. Book ahead for school holidays.

National park campgrounds. These are run by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and you book them through the Parkstay WA system on Explore Parks WA. Camping fees are separate from park entry, and the entry fee is charged on the first day. A Holiday Pass covers entry for a private vehicle with up to 12 people for 5 days, 14 days or 4 weeks, and an annual pass is also available. Popular campgrounds such as Conto, in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, require a booking, which opens up to 180 days ahead. Ningaloo Coast campgrounds near Exmouth work differently, releasing dates monthly, so check Parkstay WA for the current release schedule. Campfire rules vary by campground, and collecting firewood in national parks is not allowed.

Rest areas. Western Australia allows stays of up to 24 consecutive hours at clearly marked rest stops on local roads and state highways, with no approval needed. They are for a break from driving, not a campground, and signs on site give any limits.

Freedom camping and the city. State law restricts caravans to licensed parks unless an exemption or approval applies, and councils set their own rules. The City of Perth, for example, requires approval to camp or occupy a caravan on land that is not a caravan park. Do not assume you can sleep on a street, at a beach car park or on a reserve. Check local council signage, and use a park in the city.

Rottnest Island and getting around

Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) takes no private vehicles. Park the van at a secure car park near the ferry terminal, or book a holiday park for a night or two, and cross by passenger ferry. Ferries leave from Fremantle (about 25 to 30 minutes), Hillarys Boat Harbour (about 45 minutes) and the Barrack Street jetty in the city (up to about 90 minutes). Once there, you walk, cycle or take the island bus. Check the Rottnest Island Authority for timetables and island rules.

Costs and when to go

The ranges at the top of this page are typical nightly rates in Australian dollars. On top of that, budget for excess reduction at roughly $20 to $80 a day, fuel that is often above $2 a litre and higher at remote roadhouses, and powered sites at $40 to $65 a night. The Australia campervan hire guide has the full cost breakdown.

Perth has hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The Bureau of Meteorology puts the average January maximum at 31.4 degrees and July at 18.5 degrees, with about 147 mm of rain in July. Spring, from September to November, brings wildflowers and mild days. Western Australia's school summer holidays run from mid-to-late December to the end of January, and that is when rates and campground demand peak, so book early. The north of the state has different seasons from the south: the dry season there runs roughly April to October, and the Coral Coast is best then.

Bushfire season. The hot, dry months bring fire danger. Check fire danger ratings and Total Fire Bans on Emergency WA each day you travel, and ask campgrounds about fire restrictions. Tomorrow's ratings are usually published in the afternoon. Do not light fires on a Total Fire Ban day.

How hire works

1. Search. Enter your dates and pickup area and compare the vans and motorhomes listed near Perth.
2. Check the listing. Read the pickup details, mileage, pet and unsealed-road terms, and the owner's rules.
3. Book through our partner Outdoorsy. Insurance and payment protection come with every booking. Extras such as optional 24/7 roadside assistance can be added.
4. Collect or have it delivered. Meet the owner or business, inspect the van and learn how its water, power and gas systems work.

A full Australian car licence covers most campervans and motorhomes. Visitors from overseas can use their current licence in Western Australia but should carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP) if the licence is not in English, and check the state rules before travelling. Some larger motorhomes can need a higher licence class, so check the vehicle's weight in the listing.

Perth campervan hire FAQs

Where do I leave the van if I want to visit Rottnest?

Leave it parked on the mainland, because private vehicles cannot go to Rottnest. Use a car park near the Fremantle, Hillarys or Barrack Street ferry departure points, or stay at a holiday park and take the ferry for the day.

How far ahead should I book for Christmas?

Book about six months ahead for Christmas and New Year, and three to six months for the rest of peak summer. Reserve South West campgrounds at the same time.

Can I sleep in a campervan on the street in Perth?

Do not count on it. Councils control parking and camping on local land, and the City of Perth requires approval to camp or occupy a caravan outside a licensed park. Book a holiday park or use a signed rest area instead.

Can I hire in Perth and drop off in another city?

Often yes, if the listing allows one-way hire, usually for a fee that grows with distance. Perth to Adelaide is about 2,700 km, so allow several days and check the listing's terms on kilometres and recovery cover.

Do I need a 4WD for Margaret River or the Coral Coast?

No. A 2WD campervan covers the main roads and signed attractions on both routes. You need a 4WD for sand tracks and remote gravel, and many hire terms exclude unsealed roads, so check before you go.

Can I bring my dog?

It depends on the owner, so look for pet-friendly listings. Even then, dogs are not allowed in many Western Australian national parks, including Nambung and the Leeuwin-Naturaliste sites, so plan stops at holiday parks that welcome pets.

Ready to go? Search campervans near Perth, or read the Australia campervan hire guide. For larger rigs, see motorhome hire.