Red Dirt 4WD Rentals 4x4 hire in Australia: roof tent

Q: What is the difference between the two Red Dirt 4x4s?

Both versions share the same automatic five-seat base. The Red Dirt 4WD with Roof Top Tent adds a tent on the roof, where two people sleep. The Red Dirt 4WD has no berths: it suits a tour between lodges, motels or campsites with your own tent. Compare the equipment provided in each listing.

The rental company

Red Dirt, the 4x4 for Australia's west and north

Red Dirt 4WD Rentals is an off-road specialist based in the west and north of Australia. Its two listed depots are in Perth, in the Kewdale business area, and in Darwin, in Winnellie: two gateways to regions where dirt tracks matter as much as tarmac, from the Coral Coast to the Top End.

The range comes down to two versions of the same automatic five-seat 4x4: the Red Dirt 4WD with Roof Top Tent, with a roof tent for two, and the Red Dirt 4WD, with no berths, for those who sleep in lodges, motels or their own tent. The hire company advertises Toyotas equipped for remote travel: Engel fridge, UHF radio, snorkel and recovery gear.

No Red Dirt offers were observed by CoolDrive in October 2026. The hire company advertises unlimited mileage and a free additional driver: check this in the offer, along with the excess, the security deposit and the list of excluded tracks.

Our verdict: a sound choice for an adventure trip for two in the west or the Top End, with a vehicle designed for unsealed roads. On the downside, there is no kitchen or shower on board, only two berths, and a network limited to two cities very far apart.

Rental company profile

Red Dirt 4WD Rentals in detail: what you need to know

The key facts to decide whether Red Dirt 4WD Rentals suits your trip.

General information

Brand: Red Dirt 4WD Rentals · sometimes called Red Dirt 4WD Hire
Vehicles: Toyota 4x4 · exact model subject to availability, according to the hire company
With roof tent: Red Dirt 4WD with Roof Top Tent · 5 seats, 2 berths
Without berths: Red Dirt 4WD · 5 seats, for sleeping in accommodation or in a tent
Advertised equipment: Engel fridge, UHF radio, snorkel · recovery gear, bull bar, roof rack

Rental conditions

Gearbox: Automatic · on both models
Driving: On the left
Mileage: Unlimited according to the hire company · no offers observed in October 2026, check in the offer
Additional driver: Free of charge, according to the hire company · to be confirmed in the offer
Excluded tracks: Canning Stock Route, Old Gunbarrel Highway… · full list in the terms
Flooded or salt areas: Restrictions advertised · check river crossings, salt lakes and beaches before driving on them
Excess and security deposit: Stated in each offer
Age and licence: Specified in the offer · licence not in English: international permit or translation

Insurance and extras

Towing: Cover advertised by the hire company · scope and limits in the offer
Extras: Additional insurance, equipment · chargeable, depending on the offer

Network and availability

Perth: Kewdale · 6 Aitken Way
Darwin: Winnellie · Unit 2, 2 Roni Court

The fleet

Red Dirt 4WD Rentals 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

Red Dirt 4WD with Roof Top Tent 5 2 Automatic

Utility vehicle

Red Dirt 4WD 5 Automatic

Branches

Red Dirt 4WD Rentals branches in Australia

Darwin

Red Dirt 4WD Hire

Unit 2, 2 Roni Court, NT 0820 Winnellie

See the branch View map

Perth

Red Dirt 4WD Hire

6 Aitken Way, WA 6105 Kewdale WA 6105

See the branch View map

Comparison

Red Dirt 4WD Rentals 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
Red Dirt 4WD Rentals	Automatic Toyota 4x4, with or without a roof tent	No offers observed in October 2026: see the offer	4x4s for the west and north, 2 cities
Adventure Rentals	Toyota Prado 4WD, Prado and Hilux fitted out with a roof tent	Unlimited in 100% of observed offers	Standard or fitted-out 4x4s, 5 cities
RedSands Campers	Roof-tent 4x4s for 2 or 5, Wanderer 4WD, 2WD models	Unlimited in 100% of observed offers	4x4s and campervans, 4 cities
Campervan Village	Mystery Machine and Aventus vans, D5, Grip and Desert Sands 4x4s	Limited in the observed offers	Wide choice of vans and a few 4x4s, 11 cities

Our view

Red Dirt 4WD Rentals: who is it for, and who should look elsewhere?

Red Dirt 4WD Rentals is ideal if…

You want to reach Kakadu and Litchfield from Darwin under your own steam
You dream of the west coast parks, from Kalbarri to Karijini, starting from Perth
You are travelling as a couple and love sleeping in a roof tent
You prefer lodges and motels but want a real 4x4 between stops
You only drive automatics, including on dirt tracks

Red Dirt 4WD Rentals is not ideal if…

You are looking for a motorhome with an indoor kitchen, shower and toilet
You are starting from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns
There are four or five of you and you all want to sleep in the vehicle
You are planning the Canning Stock Route or other extreme tracks
You want a benchmark price without running a search

Practical tips

Our tips for booking with Red Dirt 4WD Rentals

Choose the season according to your departure point

From Darwin, the dry season, from May to October, is the only one really suited to dirt tracks: during the wet season, roads in Kakadu and Litchfield close. From Perth, the southern spring, from September to November, brings wildflowers and bearable temperatures further north.
Read the list of permitted tracks

A 4x4 cannot do everything. The hire company states that extreme routes, such as the Canning Stock Route or the Old Gunbarrel Highway, are excluded, as are some flooded or salt areas. Identify the prohibited roads in the terms before planning your itinerary: damage outside the permitted area may not be covered.
Adjust your tyre pressure

On sand or corrugations, letting your tyres down improves grip and comfort, and you then need to reinflate them on the tarmac. Ask the depot for the recommended pressures and how to use the equipment provided to reinflate them. Drive more slowly on dirt tracks, especially with a tent on the roof.
Plan for self-sufficiency

The distance between two petrol stations can exceed several hundred kilometres. Fill up whenever you can, carry a good supply of water and let someone know your itinerary. Avoid driving at dawn and dusk, when kangaroos and livestock cross, and give road trains plenty of room.
Do a full check at pick-up

At the depot, open the roof tent at least once with the agent, check the fridge, the spare wheel and the recovery gear, and have any windscreen chips recorded. Save the roadside assistance number: in remote areas, mobile coverage disappears quickly.

What travellers ask

Your questions about Red Dirt 4WD Rentals

How much does a Red Dirt hire cost in Australia?

As no Red Dirt offers were observed in October 2026, we do not give any prices. The amount varies with the season, which is very pronounced in the Top End, the length of hire, the model chosen and the insurance options. Run a search from Perth or Darwin with your dates: the price shown includes mandatory fees and can be compared directly with other hire companies.

What is the difference between the two Red Dirt 4x4s?

Both versions share the same automatic five-seat base. The Red Dirt 4WD with Roof Top Tent adds a tent on the roof, where two people sleep. The Red Dirt 4WD has no berths: it suits a tour between lodges, motels or campsites with your own tent. Compare the equipment provided in each listing.

Where are the Red Dirt depots?

Two addresses are listed. In Perth, the depot is at 6 Aitken Way, Kewdale, in a business area east of the centre. In Darwin, it is in Winnellie, at 2 Roni Court. The hire company states that its depots are about ten minutes from the airports: check the address and opening hours in your booking confirmation.

Can I pick up in Perth and drop the 4x4 off in Darwin?

Linking the two depots means several thousand kilometres, via the west coast and the Kimberley or through the interior. This kind of trip is not always offered, and one-way fees may apply. Enter Darwin as your drop-off city when searching: if an offer allows it, it appears with its full price.

Which tracks can I drive with a Red Dirt?

The vehicle is designed for dirt tracks, beaches and sand, but the hire company states some exclusions, including the Canning Stock Route and the Old Gunbarrel Highway, as well as limits on flooded or salt areas. The exact list is in the terms of the offer. For Aboriginal lands, some access routes also require a permit issued by the local authorities.

Verified customer reviews

They rented with Red Dirt 4WD Rentals

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

Australia · Aug 2025

Trustpilot

Staff very available to obtain information. Quick response to information.

Australia · Feb 2025

Trustpilot

All Avis Vérifiés reviews All Trustpilot reviews

Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Red Dirt 4x4 hire in Australia

Why book Red Dirt with CoolDrive?

In a single search, you see Red Dirt 4x4s alongside those of Adventure Rentals, RedSands Campers or Campervan Village, for the same dates and in the same city. The price shown includes mandatory fees. Torn between sleeping on the roof or in a lodge? Our experts will talk it through with you, and packs offered by CoolDrive come with the booking.

Is mileage unlimited with Red Dirt?

The hire company advertises unlimited mileage, which really matters in Western Australia, where a single leg can exceed 400 kilometres. As no offers were observed in October 2026, we cannot confirm this: read the offer details before paying. Also note the areas where the vehicle must not be driven.

What excess and security deposit does Red Dirt charge?

The amounts depend on the model and the cover chosen: each offer specifies them. Read carefully what the insurance covers for the windscreen, tyres and underbody, which are often exposed on dirt tracks. As a rule, a credit card in the main driver's name is used to hold the security deposit: check its limit before you leave.

What is it like sleeping in a roof tent?

The tent unfolds on the 4x4's roof rack in a few minutes and is reached by a ladder. It offers a mattress for two, off the ground, away from sand and crawling insects. In the evening, park on level ground; in strong winds, fold it away. Look out for national park campsites, which often need to be booked online.

What documents do I need to drive a Red Dirt 4x4?

A valid car driving licence is usually enough. For a licence written in a language other than English, add an official translation or an international driving permit. The minimum age and number of years holding a licence required are stated in the offer. For Kakadu, also plan for the national park pass, to be bought online before entering.

Can I start from Broome with Red Dirt?

On CoolDrive, the Red Dirt departure points offered are Perth and Darwin. For the Kimberley, Darwin remains the closest point, via the Victoria Highway and Kununurra. If you are interested in another pick-up location, ask our experts: they will check what the hire company offers for your dates.

About us

Hire a Red Dirt 4x4 in Australia with CoolDrive Nomad

Red Dirt 4WD Rentals hires out automatic 4x4s from two cities that could not be more different: Perth, in the south-west, opens up the Coral Coast, the Pinnacles, Kalbarri, Shark Bay and the Pilbara; Darwin gives access to the Top End, Kakadu, Litchfield, Katherine and the road to the Kimberley. The same vehicle comes with a roof tent for two or without berths, for travelling from one place to stay to the next.

On CoolDrive Nomad, you compare Red Dirt with Adventure Rentals, RedSands Campers or Campervan Village for your dates, with a total price that includes mandatory fees. Our October 2026 observations contain no Red Dirt offers: the price, included kilometres and excess are revealed when you run the search. Our experts help you choose the season, the model and the itinerary, and check the permitted tracks.

Other rental companies

Red Dirt 4x4 hire in Australia