Most Popular Melbourne Campervan Routes
| Route | Distance | Recommended duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Ocean Road loop (Torquay to Warrnambool and back) | About 660 km round trip | 3-5 days | Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Otway rainforest |
| Melbourne to Grampians National Park | About 260 km | 2-4 days | Sealed and gravel walking trails, Aboriginal rock art |
| Melbourne to Phillip Island | About 140 km south-east | 2-3 days | Penguin Parade, surf beaches |
| Melbourne to the High Country (Bright, Mount Buffalo) | About 300 km north-east | 3-5 days | Alpine scenery, wineries, cycling |
| Melbourne to Adelaide (via Great Ocean Road and Grampians) | About 900 km one-way | 10-14 days | Classic one-way route, strong shoulder season trip |
| Melbourne to Sydney | About 880 km via Hume Highway, longer via the coastal Princes Highway | 5-10 days | Hume for speed, Gippsland and the Sapphire Coast for scenery |
| Melbourne to Devonport, Tasmania (Spirit of Tasmania ferry) | About 11-hour overnight or day sailing | Book ahead, especially summer | Campervans and motorhomes travel on the ferry, foot passenger and vehicle fares apply |
Great Ocean Road. One of the most scenic drives in the world, running along Victoria’s south-west coast via Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell National Park, home to the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. A 3 to 5-day loop suits most travellers, with Great Otway National Park offering rainforest walks and waterfalls inland from the coast.
Grampians National Park. About two and a half hours west of Melbourne, the Grampians offer sandstone ranges, waterfalls and some of Victoria’s richest Aboriginal rock art sites, combined by many travellers with the Great Ocean Road for a longer western Victoria loop.
Phillip Island. A short trip south-east of Melbourne, well known for the nightly Penguin Parade and surf beaches, an easy 2 to 3-day add-on for travellers with limited time.
The High Country. North-east of Melbourne toward Bright and Mount Buffalo, the alpine High Country offers cycling, wineries and cooler summer temperatures, with skiing at nearby resorts in winter.
Melbourne to Adelaide. A classic one-way route combining the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians and, further into South Australia, the Coorong, typically taking 10 to 14 days. Most major operators offer one-way hire on this route, with fees that vary by season.
Melbourne to Sydney. The inland Hume Highway is the faster route at around 880 km, while the coastal Princes Highway through Gippsland and the Sapphire Coast is longer but considerably more scenic, a common choice for travellers with extra days to spare.
Tasmania via the Spirit of Tasmania. Melbourne is the mainland departure point for Spirit of Tasmania, which carries campervans and motorhomes across Bass Strait to Devonport, opening up Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay and the rest of Tasmania as an extension of a Melbourne road trip. Book vehicle space well ahead, particularly for summer sailings.
Campervan Hire Prices in Melbourne (AUD)
Prices vary by vehicle size, season and operator.
| Vehicle type | Off-peak / shoulder | Peak (Dec-Feb, Easter) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-berth campervan | AUD 75-160/day | AUD 150-260/day |
| 4-berth campervan | AUD 130-240/day | AUD 240-380/day |
| 6-berth motorhome | AUD 220-350/day | AUD 350-550/day |
| 4WD campervan | AUD 180-300/day | AUD 280-450/day |
These are indicative ranges. Use the search widget on this page for live pricing across operators for your specific dates. Most operators include unlimited kilometres as standard, confirm this at booking. Peak season (December to February, plus Easter and Victorian school holidays) sits at the top of each range, while shoulder season (March to May, September to November) offers the best combination of good weather and lower prices, with the added advantage of thinner Great Ocean Road traffic.
Budget for costs beyond the daily rate: excess reduction or insurance upgrades, additional driver fees, one-way rental fees if you’re not returning to Melbourne, fuel, national park entry or parking fees along the Great Ocean Road, and caravan park sites, typically AUD 40 to 80 a night for a powered site.
What's Included with Melbourne Campervan Hire
Standard inclusions across most operators cover unlimited kilometres (confirm at booking for interstate one-way trips), vehicle insurance with a standard excess, 24-hour roadside assistance, linen, bedding and towels, kitchen equipment (cutlery, cooking utensils, basic crockery), a fresh water tank, grey water tank and gas bottle, and an awning on most 4-berth and larger vehicles.
Common optional extras include excess reduction or premium insurance, camping chairs and a picnic table, child or baby seats, bike racks, GPS or mobile Wi-Fi, and ski or snowboard racks if your trip extends into the High Country over winter.
Campgrounds Near Melbourne
BIG4 Holiday Parks and G’day Parks both operate sites across greater Melbourne and along the Great Ocean Road, with powered sites, camp kitchens and laundry facilities typical of a holiday park stay. BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park in Coburg is the closest full-facility option to the CBD, while Ashley Gardens Holiday Village in Brooklyn is a convenient overnight stop if you’re heading straight out to the Great Ocean Road. Parks Victoria manages campgrounds inside Great Otway, Port Campbell and Grampians National Parks for a more immersive stay closer to the scenery, though popular sites need booking ahead in peak season. For free and low-cost camping further along your route, WikiCamps Australia and CamperMate list verified sites with user reviews and facilities information.
Driving a Campervan in and Around Melbourne
Melbourne has three electronically tolled roads, CityLink, EastLink and the West Gate Tunnel, all operated through Linkt, so set up a Visitor’s Pass or account online before driving rather than risk a toll invoice later. Melbourne’s CBD also has the well-known hook turn, where drivers turn right from the left-hand lane at certain intersections, worth reading up on before taking a large campervan into the city centre. Tram tracks in the inner suburbs require extra caution in a larger vehicle, and speed cameras are widespread across the metro area. The Great Ocean Road itself has narrow, winding sections, so allow extra time in a larger motorhome and take corners slowly, particularly around Lorne and Apollo Bay.
A standard driver’s licence from your home country is sufficient to drive in Australia. If your licence isn’t in English, bring an International Driving Permit alongside your original licence. Most operators require drivers to be at least 21, though some accept drivers from 18 with a valid licence.
When to Hire a Campervan in Melbourne
Victoria has four distinct seasons, and timing shifts depending on which route you’re planning.
Summer (December to February) is peak season on the Great Ocean Road and around Phillip Island, warm and busy, with the highest prices and the most competition for campsites. Book well ahead for December and January.
Autumn (March to May) offers some of Victoria’s best weather, with lower prices, thinner crowds and cooler, more comfortable driving conditions, a strong window for the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians.
Winter (June to August) is cool and wetter on the coast but suits the High Country for skiing at nearby alpine resorts, and coincides with the lowest campervan rates of the year.
Spring (September to November) brings mild temperatures, wildflowers in the Grampians, and a gradual increase in demand heading into the summer peak, another strong window for coastal and inland Victorian routes.
The best overall window for Melbourne campervan hire is March-May or September-November, balancing good weather with lower prices and less Great Ocean Road traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the closest campervan depot to Melbourne Airport?
JUCY and the Cruisin/Go Cheap depot cluster sit in Tullamarine, about 5 km and 10 to 15 minutes from the terminal. Britz, Apollo and Maui share a depot in Somerton, about 6 km and 15 to 20 minutes away. Most operators offer a shuttle or short transfer; confirm this at booking.
How much does campervan hire cost in Melbourne?
Indicative rates in AUD: 2-berth campervans from about AUD 75 to 260 a day depending on season, 4-berth campervans from AUD 130 to 380, and 6-berth motorhomes from AUD 220 to 550. 4WD campervans run from about AUD 180 to 450 a day.
Which campervan companies operate out of Melbourne?
Event Campers compares Britz, Apollo, Maui, JUCY, Cruisin Motorhomes, Go Cheap, Spaceships, Travellers Autobarn and Auto Sleepers across their Melbourne depots. Use the search widget above for live availability.
Can I do a one-way campervan hire from Melbourne?
Yes. One-way hire to Adelaide, Sydney and other cities is widely available with most major operators, with fees that vary by route, season and vehicle, confirmed at booking.
How long does the Great Ocean Road take in a campervan?
The full loop from Torquay to Warrnambool and back covers about 660 km. Most travellers allow 3 to 5 days to properly take in the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Great Otway National Park without rushing the drive.
Can I take a campervan on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne?
Yes. Spirit of Tasmania carries campervans and motorhomes across Bass Strait between Melbourne and Devonport. Book vehicle space well ahead, particularly for summer sailings, since space fills quickly in peak season.
Do I need a 4WD campervan for the Great Ocean Road or the Grampians?
No. Both routes are fully accessible in a standard 2WD campervan on sealed roads. A 4WD only becomes relevant if your route extends into remote outback territory well beyond Victoria.
What's the cheapest way to hire a campervan in Melbourne?
Booking in shoulder season (March-May or September-November), choosing a budget operator like Go Cheap, and booking well ahead of your travel dates typically gets the lowest rates.
Do I need a toll pass for a campervan hire in Melbourne?
Yes, if your route uses CityLink, EastLink or the West Gate Tunnel. These are electronically tolled with no toll booths, so set up a Linkt Visitor’s Pass or account before driving to avoid a toll invoice with added admin fees later.
What's the best time of year to hire a campervan in Melbourne?
Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) offer the best combination of good weather, lower prices and thinner Great Ocean Road traffic. Summer is busiest and most expensive, and winter suits travellers heading to the High Country for skiing.
Book Your Melbourne Campervan Hire
Whether you’re planning a Great Ocean Road loop, a Grampians and Phillip Island combination, a one-way trip to Adelaide, or a Spirit of Tasmania crossing to Devonport, Event Campers compares Britz, Apollo, Maui, JUCY, Cruisin Motorhomes, Go Cheap, Spaceships, Travellers Autobarn and Auto Sleepers across their Melbourne depots.
Use the search widget above to check live availability and pricing for your travel dates. Planning the wider Australian trip? Browse our full Australia road trip guide, Campervan Hire Sydney, Campervan Hire Perth, and the Australia destinations hub, or compare New Zealand, Canada and USA guides for the rest of the world.