+33 9 72 12 34 50 WhatsApp
4.3/5 · 818 reviews Trustpilot Net Reviews
Français English Español Nederlands Deutsch Italiano Português
Call us
Rental company category:Low cost
Rental partner · Australia · Apollo family, thl group

Cheapa Campa campervan hire in Australia

The budget option of the Apollo family: campervans, overcabs and 4x4s from ten cities, from Hobart to Darwin

branches
11
departure cities
10
models
14
countries
2
berths, from the 2 Berth campervan to the 6 Berth overcab
2 to 6
vehicle types, up to the 4x4 with rooftop tent
5
  • Airport branch
  • Budget option of the Apollo family
  • Departures from Broome, Darwin and Alice Springs, as well as the big cities
  • From a van for two to an overcab for six
  • 4x4 with rooftop tent and pop-top vans
  • Automatic gearbox on most models
  • Brand also present in New Zealand

Official website of the rental company

The rental company

Cheapa Campa, the Apollo family's budget brand

Cheapa Campa is the budget brand of the Apollo family, an Australian company that merged with the thl group (Tourism Holdings) in 2022. The rental company presents itself as a way to travel for less, with vehicles that generally already have a few seasons on the road. Several of its models even carry the same names as at Apollo: Hitop, Endeavour, Trailfinder or Vivid.

Its depots cover ten cities. On the coast: Sydney, with one site in Banksmeadow and another at Bankstown Aerodrome, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. In the north and the centre: Cairns, Darwin, Broome and Alice Springs. In Tasmania, departures from Hobart take place in Cambridge, at the Apollo site next to the airport.

The range runs from the 2 Berth campervan to the 4 Berth and 6 Berth overcabs, with high-top or pop-top vans and a 4x4 with rooftop tent, the Vivid Camper. Automatic transmission dominates; the Trailfinder and one version of the 4WD Camper remain manual.

Our verdict: a good entry point for a first Australian road trip on a tight budget, with a network that reaches the Red Centre and the Kimberley. On the other hand, vehicles are often less recent and need careful inspection at departure, and a security deposit on your card needs to be planned for.

Rental company profile

Cheapa Campa in detail: what you need to know

The key facts to decide whether Cheapa Campa suits your trip.

General information

Brand
Cheapa Campa · budget option of the Apollo family
Group
thl (Tourism Holdings) · since the merger with Apollo in 2022
Vans
2 Berth, Hitop, Endeavour · two berths, four for one version of the Endeavour
Overcabs
4 Berth, 6 Berth · four or six seats and berths
Off-road
4WD Camper, Trailfinder, Vivid Camper · pop-top roof for two or rooftop tent for four
Official website
cheapacampa.com.au

Rental conditions

Minimum age
Stated in each offer · along with the required length of time holding a licence
Licence
Valid driving licence · in English, otherwise with an international driving permit or an official translation
Side of the road
On the left · an automatic gearbox makes adjusting easier
Mileage
Not recorded in October 2026 · terms shown in the vehicle details
Excess
Depending on the vehicle · standard amount specified in the offer
Security deposit
To be planned on a credit card · amount and arrangements in the offer
Gearbox
Mostly automatic · Trailfinder and one version of the 4WD Camper are manual
Unsealed roads
Depending on the vehicle · in principle, check in the offer terms

Insurance and extras

Roadside assistance
Advertised by the rental company · keep the number to hand
On-board equipment
Kitchen area, beds, storage · exact contents depending on the model

Network and availability

Major cities
Sydney (2 sites), Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth · depots on the outskirts
North and Centre
Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Alice Springs · for tropical Queensland, the Top End, the Kimberley and the Red Centre
Tasmania
Hobart · departure from Cambridge, at the Apollo site near the airport
Other country
New Zealand
The fleet

Cheapa Campa vehicles in Australia

Models offered by the rental company. Not all of them are available at every branch: the search form shows availability and prices.

4x4 with roof tent

C-class motorhome

Campervan

Hi-top van

Pop-top van

Branches

Cheapa Campa branches in Australia

Network

Cheapa Campa also operates in one other country

Comparison

Cheapa Campa compared with other rental companies in Australia

Our comparison of the country's rental companies: each has its strengths depending on your trip.

Rental company Vehicles Mileage Best for
Cheapa Campa 2 Berth campervan, Hitop and Endeavour vans, 4 and 6 Berth overcabs, Vivid 4x4 No offer recorded in October 2026 Tight budget, 10 cities including Broome and Alice Springs
Travellers Autobarn Vans (Budgie Van, Chubby Camper, Kuga, HiTop, Hi5, X Wagon) Unlimited in 100% of the offers recorded 2 to 5 seats depending on the van, 6 departure cities
GoCheap Campervans Hi Top 2- and 4-seat vans, Tamar, Henty, Derwent Unlimited in 100% of the offers recorded Large models and vans, 6 departure cities
Campervan Village Mystery Machine and Aventus vans, Grip and Desert Sands 4x4s Limited in the offers recorded Choice of 4x4s and vans, 11 departure cities
Awesome Campers Vans (Compact Camper, Buddy Camper, Sun Chaser, Coast Hopper) Unlimited in 100% of the offers recorded Couples, 8 departure cities
Our view

Cheapa Campa: who is it for, and who should look elsewhere?

Cheapa Campa is ideal if…

  • You want to discover Australia by campervan while watching every dollar
  • You are starting your tour in Broome, Darwin or Alice Springs
  • You are a group of five or six and the 6 Berth overcab lets you stay together
  • You want to sleep in a rooftop tent with the Vivid Camper
  • You are new to driving on the left and prefer an automatic gearbox

Cheapa Campa is not ideal if…

  • You insist on a new or current-year vehicle
  • Your credit card limit is too tight for the security deposit
  • You plan to drive dirt tracks in an overcab or a two-wheel-drive van
  • You are heading for Broome or Darwin between December and March, at the height of the monsoon
  • You are more than six travelling together
Practical tips

Our tips for booking with Cheapa Campa

  1. Inspect the vehicle before signing

    Cheapa Campa vehicles often have a few seasons behind them. At the depot, photograph every side, the wheel rims and the windscreen, try the gas, the water pump and the fridge, and tick off the kitchen inventory. Report the slightest defect before hitting the road: it will be noted on the contract.

  2. High top, pop-top or rooftop tent

    In a Hitop or an Endeavour, the high roof lets you stand up without setting anything up. The pop-top roof of the 4WD Camper and the Trailfinder unfolds at each stop and keeps the vehicle lower on the road. With the Vivid Camper, you sleep in a tent mounted on the roof.

  3. Prepare the security deposit

    The deposit amount is shown in the offer. Check your credit card limit a few days before departure: the sum may be charged and then refunded after the vehicle is returned, which ties up part of your budget during the trip and a little beyond.

  4. Match the region to the season

    Cairns, Darwin and Broome are best visited during the dry season, roughly from May to October. Melbourne, Adelaide and Tasmania are more pleasant from December to March, when the days are long. In Alice Springs, the southern autumn and spring avoid both intense heat and freezing nights.

  5. Plan ahead for long stages

    Save the assistance number in your phone and also write it down on paper: between Alice Springs and Darwin, or on the Great Northern Highway towards Broome, mobile signal disappears over long stretches. Fill up whenever the opportunity arises and drive by day to avoid kangaroos.

What travellers ask

Your questions about Cheapa Campa

What is the difference between Cheapa Campa and Apollo?

Both brands belong to the same family, part of the thl group since 2022. Apollo highlights a more recent fleet, while Cheapa Campa positions itself as the budget option, with vehicles that have often already covered some distance. Several model names are found at both, and some departures, such as in Hobart, take place at the same site.

Which Cheapa Campa should I choose to leave the tarmac?

Three models are designed for adventure: the 4WD Camper and the Trailfinder, two pop-top vans for two, and the Vivid Camper, a 4x4 with rooftop tent for four. The Trailfinder has a manual gearbox, as does one version of the 4WD Camper. Before setting off, check in the terms which tracks the rental company allows.

How much does a Cheapa Campa hire cost in Australia?

CoolDrive did not record any Cheapa Campa rate in October 2026. The amount varies with the period, the length of the trip, the model and the departure city; Australian school holidays push up demand, as does the dry season in the north. For an exact price, run a CoolDrive search with your dates: it includes mandatory fees.

Which cities can I set off from with Cheapa Campa?

The rental company offers ten departure cities. On the coast: Sydney (Banksmeadow and Bankstown Aerodrome), Melbourne in Somerton, Brisbane in Northgate, Adelaide in Parafield Gardens and Perth in Redcliffe. Further north and inland: Cairns, Darwin, Broome and Alice Springs. For Tasmania, the vehicle is collected in Cambridge, near Hobart Airport.

How many people can travel in a Cheapa Campa?

It depends on the model. The 2 Berth campervan, the Hitop, the 4WD Camper and the Trailfinder accommodate two people. The Endeavour comes in a two- or four-berth version, and the Vivid Camper takes four travellers. For a larger group, the 4 Berth and 6 Berth overcabs have as many seat belts as berths.

Verified customer reviews

They rented with Cheapa Campa

4.3
818 reviews

CoolDrive is a responsive and professional agency that has always responded promptly to my administrative requests.

(anonymous)
Australia · May 2019
Avis Vérifiés

Please note that the security deposit will be debited from your account.

(anonymous)
Australia · Mar 2019
Avis Vérifiés

Please specify that the deposit will be charged to your account.

(anonymous)
Australia · Mar 2019
Avis Vérifiés
All Avis Vérifiés reviews All Trustpilot reviews
Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Cheapa Campa campervan hire in Australia

Why book Cheapa Campa with CoolDrive?

On CoolDrive, Cheapa Campa appears in the same list as the other Australian rental companies, so you can judge at a glance whether it suits your dates and your route. The price displayed already includes mandatory fees, and each vehicle's details specify mileage, excess and extras. Our experts answer your questions before and during the trip.

What security deposit should I expect with Cheapa Campa?

The deposit depends on the vehicle and the insurance chosen: its amount is stated in each offer. It is generally requested on the main driver's credit card at pick-up. If you want to reduce the sum committed, look at the insurance options offered in the offer and compare them according to your route.

Can I return the campervan in another city?

With ten departure cities, Cheapa Campa opens up great straight-line journeys, for example from Cairns to Brisbane or from Darwin to Adelaide. These one-way hires do, however, depend on the offer and may incur fees. In the CoolDrive search, choose a different return city: only vehicles that accept this route will be offered.

Do I need an international driving permit to hire in Australia?

If your licence is written in English, it is generally enough. If not, bring an international driving permit or an official translation, in addition to the original. Cheapa Campa sets a minimum age and a minimum period of holding a licence, specified in each offer. Remember that you drive on the left and that distances between two cities are counted in hundreds of kilometres.

What is on board a Cheapa Campa?

The vehicles have what you need to cook, sleep and store luggage; the overcabs offer more living space than the vans. The exact contents vary by model and are listed in the vehicle details. At the depot, take the time to check the kitchen and bedding inventory, and ask to be shown how the gas and water work.

Does Cheapa Campa also hire in New Zealand?

Yes, the brand is also present in New Zealand, with its own page on CoolDrive Nomad. The two countries combine well on a long stay, but you need to hire a separate vehicle on each side of the Tasman Sea. Compare the terms in each country, as mileage, excess and deposit may differ from one offer to another.

About us

Hire a Cheapa Campa campervan in Australia with CoolDrive Nomad

Cheapa Campa is aimed at travellers who want to explore Australia without blowing their budget. As the Apollo family's budget option, the brand operates from ten cities, from the big cities of Sydney, Melbourne or Perth to Broome, Darwin and Alice Springs, not forgetting Hobart for Tasmania. Its range goes from a campervan for two to an overcab for six, with pop-top vans and a 4x4 with rooftop tent for more adventurous routes.

On CoolDrive Nomad, you can weigh up Cheapa Campa against Travellers Autobarn, GoCheap Campervans, Campervan Village or Awesome Campers, then book at a price that already includes mandatory fees. Each offer details the vehicle's terms, and our experts guide you in choosing the model, the departure city and the season. Enter your dates to see the current rate.

Other rental companies

Other rental companies in Australia