Adventure Rentals Rental company category:Standard
Public rating of the rental company: 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
- Tripadvisor 4.6/5 36 reviews
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
Hiring a campervan in Alice Springs means starting from the heart of the Red Centre, halfway between Darwin and Adelaide on the Stuart Highway. Uluru, the domes of Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and the gorges of the MacDonnell Ranges mark out a road trip through a desert of ochre rock, spinifex and dry riverbeds. With 7 partner companies, the town is one of the few departure points in the middle of the Outback: Apollo, Britz, Maui, Mighty Campers, Cheapa Campa, Campervan Village and Adventure Rentals.
Two-berth campervans sit alongside Toyota 4WDs fitted with rooftop tents, designed for leaving the bitumen behind.
7 rental partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Alice Springs?
Apollo Rental company category:Standard
Public rating of the rental company: 3.8/5 (12 reviews)
- Trustpilot 3.8/5 12 reviews
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
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Apollo Motorhome Holidays Pty Ltd220 Stuart Highway, 0870 Alice SpringsView map
Britz Rental company category:Standard
Public rating of the rental company: 3.1/5 (10 reviews)
- Trustpilot 3.1/5 10 reviews
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
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Britz Camper Rentals220 Stuart Highway, 0870 Alice SpringsView map
Campervan Village Rental company category:Economy
Public rating of the rental company: 2.9/5 (139 reviews)
- Trustpilot 2.9/5 139 reviews
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
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29 Stokes St., NT 0870 CicconeView map
Cheapa Campa Rental company category:Low cost
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220 Stuart Highway, 0871 Alice SpringsView map
Maui Rental company category:Premium
Public rating of the rental company: 4.0/5 (499 reviews)
- Trustpilot 4.0/5 499 reviews
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
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Maui Camper Rentals220 Stuart Highway, 0870 Alice SpringsView map
Mighty Campers Rental company category:Low cost
Public rating of the rental company: 4.0/5 (334 reviews)
- Trustpilot 4.0/5 334 reviews
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
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Mighty Campervans Australia220 Stuart Highway, 0870 Alice SpringsView map
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Alice Springs
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €76/day median €110/day | from €105/day median €145/day | from €93/day median €155/day | from €69/day median €102/day |
Daily prices observed on October 20, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 2 rental companies compared. 33% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €4,668.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Alice Springs
1 Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon
- Alice Springs
- Erldunda
- Uluru
- Kata Tjuta
- Kings Canyon
- Alice Springs
The great Red Centre loop heads down the Stuart Highway to the Erldunda roadhouse, then follows the Lasseter Highway to Uluru. Allow two days there: the walk around the monolith, sunrise over the domes of Kata Tjuta and the Valley of the Winds walk. Via the Luritja Road, Kings Canyon and its trail along the rim of the gorge complete a loop that is sealed all the way.
- Distance
- about 1,400 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
2 The gorges of the West MacDonnell Ranges
- Alice Springs
- Simpsons Gap
- Standley Chasm
- Ellery Creek Big Hole
- Ormiston Gorge
- Glen Helen
- Redbank Gorge
- Alice Springs
West of town, Larapinta Drive and then Namatjira Drive run along the West MacDonnell Ranges, or Tjoritja: Simpsons Gap and its black-footed rock-wallabies, the narrow cleft of Standley Chasm, and the waterholes of Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge, where you can swim in very cold water. Glen Helen and Redbank Gorge mark the end of the route, dotted with basic park campgrounds.
- Distance
- about 350 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
3 The Stuart Highway to Darwin
- Alice Springs
- Karlu Karlu
- Tennant Creek
- Daly Waters
- Mataranka
- Katherine
- Litchfield
- Darwin
Heading north, the Stuart Highway crosses the desert to the granite boulders of Karlu Karlu, the Devils Marbles, then Tennant Creek, the old pub at Daly Waters and the thermal springs of Mataranka. Katherine is the gateway to the gorges of Nitmiluk, and Litchfield National Park, with its waterfalls, comes just before Darwin, another departure city of our partners. A one-way trip for the Top End dry season.
- Distance
- about 1,600 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Air-conditioned motorhome or campervan
Weather and seasons
When to go in Alice Springs?
Best time
April, May and September
April to May, September
highs 23 to 29 °C, lows 10 to 15 °C
The ideal months to set off from Alice Springs: warm days that are still comfortable for walking around Uluru or in Kings Canyon, mild nights and almost always clear skies. In September, after the rare showers, desert wildflowers sometimes colour the roadsides, and the campgrounds become quiet again after the winter holidays.
High season
The southern winter, June to August
June to August
highs 20 to 24 °C, lows 7 to 9 °C
Peak season in the Red Centre: constant sunshine, almost no rain, mild days and cold desert nights. The campgrounds at Yulara and Kings Canyon are fully booked during the Australian school holidays in July: book early, and pack warm sleeping bags and fleeces for the sunrises.
The southern summer, October to March
October to March
highs 32 to 37 °C, lows 17 to 24 °C
A scorching season, when average highs exceed 30 °C and storms from December to March can flood the dirt roads and temporarily cut some routes. Set off at dawn, walk in the morning, as some trails close during the hottest hours on very hot days, and choose an air-conditioned vehicle. The sites are much less crowded at this time.
Climate in Alice Springs, month by month
Most pleasant months: April to September.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37 °C | 24 °C | 60 mm | 12 h/day |
| Feb | 36 °C | 22 °C | 15 mm | 12 h/day |
| Mar | 34 °C | 21 °C | 48 mm | 11 h/day |
| Apr | 29 °C | 15 °C | 7 mm | 11 h/day |
| May | 23 °C | 10 °C | 21 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jun | 20 °C | 7 °C | 10 mm | 9 h/day |
| Jul | 21 °C | 7 °C | 3 mm | 10 h/day |
| Aug | 24 °C | 9 °C | 5 mm | 11 h/day |
| Sep | 28 °C | 13 °C | 14 mm | 11 h/day |
| Oct | 32 °C | 17 °C | 13 mm | 11 h/day |
| Nov | 33 °C | 20 °C | 41 mm | 11 h/day |
| Dec | 36 °C | 22 °C | 38 mm | 12 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
From Alice Springs airport
The airport is about fifteen kilometres south of town, beside the Stuart Highway; taxis and shuttles run to the centre and the depots. Spend a night in town before collecting the vehicle: the first leg south is long and is best driven with an early, well-rested start.
Groceries, water and fuel
Alice Springs is the last real town for hundreds of kilometres: do your shopping there and fill your drinking water containers, allowing several litres per person per day. On the road, fuel is only available at the roadhouses of Erldunda, Curtin Springs, Yulara or Kings Canyon, at higher prices: fill up again as soon as the tank is half empty.
Dirt roads, 4WDs and Aboriginal land
Several famous roads in the area are unsealed: the Mereenie Loop between the MacDonnells and Kings Canyon, or the track to Palm Valley, reserved for high-clearance 4WDs. Rental conditions often exclude dirt roads for two-wheel-drive campervans, and the Mereenie Loop crosses Aboriginal land where a permit is required: check both points before you leave.
Road trains and animals on the road
On the Stuart Highway, road trains, trucks pulling three or four trailers, should only be overtaken on a long, clear straight; when one comes towards you on a narrow road, slow down and keep well to the left. Free-roaming cattle, kangaroos and wild camels cross mostly at dusk: drive between sunrise and sunset.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Alice Springs
Where can I pick up a campervan in Alice Springs?
Seven partner companies welcome you. Apollo, Britz, Maui, Mighty Campers and Cheapa Campa share a depot at 220 Stuart Highway, while Adventure Rentals, at two addresses, and Campervan Village are based in the suburb of Ciccone, north of the town centre. Your booking confirmation tells you which address to go to and at what time.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Alice Springs?
The rate depends mainly on the season, the length of hire and the type of vehicle: a 4WD fitted with rooftop tents does not cost the same as a two-berth campervan, and a hire in the middle of the southern winter differs from a summer departure. Run a search with your dates to compare the real offers of the Alice Springs companies, mandatory fees included.
Can I do a one-way trip to Darwin or Adelaide?
Yes: Darwin, to the north, and Adelaide, to the south, are two other departure cities of our partners, each about 1,500 km away along the Stuart Highway. Towards Adelaide, the road passes through Coober Pedy and its homes dug underground, then Port Augusta. Any one-way fees appear in the price as soon as you choose a different return city.
Can you still climb Uluru?
No: the climb has been banned since October 2019, at the request of the Anangu, the traditional owners of the site. You discover the rock along the trail that circles it, on guided walks with the rangers and from the sunset viewing areas. A pass for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, to be bought before entering, is compulsory for every visitor.
Which vehicles can I hire in Alice Springs?
The offers found range from two-berth campervans, such as the Mystery Machine 2-Seater or the Aventus 2 Auto, to the Budget Mini-Camper with five seats and three berths. 4WDs are plentiful: Toyota Hilux with one or two rooftop tents, sleeping up to four, the converted Toyota Prado, the D5 4x4 Adventure Camper or the Grip 4x4, which sleeps five.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Alice Springs with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Very good from the quote to the rental, I recommend!
Veronique B.
Australia · Sep 2025
Avis Vérifiés
First trip in a van and in AustraliaFriendly and available staffDeposit refunded quicklyHowever, some tools would be useful to re-tighten certain things due to the vibrations on the road
B.
Australia · Aug 2025
Trustpilot
Staff very available to obtain information. Quick response to information.
M.
Australia · Feb 2025
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Alice Springs
What licence do I need to drive in the Northern Territory?
A valid foreign licence for the car category lets you drive a hired campervan or motorhome, provided it is written in English; otherwise, carry an international driving permit or an official translation with it. The minimum age, the required years of driving and the conditions specific to 4WDs are set by each rental company and shown in the offer.
Where can I stay overnight with a campervan in the Red Centre?
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park does not allow overnight stays inside it: you sleep at Yulara, where the Ayers Rock Campground is the only campground. Kings Canyon has resort campgrounds, and the MacDonnell gorges have park campgrounds. Along the Stuart Highway, some signposted rest areas allow one night, and roadhouses rent out sites.
How do I get used to driving on the left?
In Australia, you drive on the left. The main roads of the Red Centre, straight and quiet, make learning easier, but the roundabouts in Alice Springs require attention: you go round them clockwise. Get your bearings in quiet streets before leaving town, and watch out for the reflex of keeping to the right.
Is there mobile coverage in the Red Centre?
The mobile network covers Alice Springs and Yulara, but disappears on most of the roads between stops, sometimes for several hundred kilometres. Download maps and bookings for offline use before leaving, tell someone your route and, if you are planning remote tracks, take a personal locator beacon or a satellite phone.
What is there to see in Alice Springs before setting off?
A day in town is worthwhile: the Alice Springs Desert Park showcases the desert's wildlife and plants, the old Telegraph Station recalls the birth of the town, and the bases of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air tell the story of life in the Outback. The Aboriginal art galleries of Todd Mall and the sunset from Anzac Hill complete the visit.
About us
Why start a campervan trip from Alice Springs
Alice Springs, Mparntwe to the Arrernte people, is the only sizeable town in central Australia, no more than a day's drive from Uluru, Kings Canyon or the MacDonnell gorges. Starting from Darwin or Adelaide, more than 1,200 km away as the crow flies, means several days on the road before you see the red earth: here, the desert begins at the edge of town.
With seven partner companies, the choice ranges from a compact campervan for two to a 4WD with rooftop tents for the tracks, so you can match the vehicle to the trip. The climate is most pleasant from April to September, when days stay mild and skies clear. And for those with time, a one-way trip north or south turns the holiday into a crossing of the continent along the Stuart Highway.