How much does it cost to rent a campervan in Cairns?

Cairns campervan rentals range from $80-$300 AUD/night. Budget options from Jucy and Spaceship start at $80-$120 AUD. Apollo mid-range vans cost $110-$250 AUD. Premium Britz and Maui motorhomes run $200-$300 AUD/night. Dry season (May-October) is peak — wet season (November-April) drops rates 30-40% but brings tropical downpours and road closures.

What are the best trips from Cairns?

Cairns to Cape Tribulation (140 km) where rainforest meets reef is the must-do. The Atherton Tablelands west of Cairns has waterfalls, crater lakes and wildlife. Cairns to Townsville along the coast (350 km) passes Mission Beach and Magnetic Island. The Savannah Way west toward the outback is for experienced off-road travelers.

Australia / Cairns

Rent a Campervan in Cairns Where Rainforest Meets the Reef

Cairns is the gateway to tropical North Queensland. The Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef sit on your doorstep. All major rental companies operate here. The dry season (May through October) is when everything clicks — clear skies, warm days and crocodile-free swimming holes in the Tablelands.

Cairns Rental Pricing

Platform	Pricing (AUD)	Notes
Apollo	$110-$250/night	Sheridan St depot, wide fleet range
Britz	$130-$300/night	Premium 4WD campers available
Jucy	$80-$130/night	Budget vans, popular with backpackers
Maui	$200-$300/night	Top-end motorhomes
Spaceship	$70-$110/night	Cheapest fleet, relocation deals south

Cairns often has relocation deals heading south (Cairns → Sydney or Melbourne). Check imoova and transfercar for $1-$5/day specials.

Tropical Queensland rainforest near Cairns — Unsplash

Best Road Trips From Cairns

Cairns to Cape Tribulation

140 km north. 2-3 days. The only place on Earth where two World Heritage sites meet — Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef. Cable ferry crossing over the Daintree River. Cape Trib camping is basic but the setting is incredible. Crocodile warning signs are genuine — don't swim in rivers or estuaries. Noah Beach campground is beachfront. Dry season only for 2WD vehicles.

Atherton Tablelands

90 minutes west of Cairns, 700m above sea level. Cooler temperatures, waterfalls and crater lakes. Millaa Millaa Falls is the postcard shot. Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine are volcanic crater lakes safe for swimming (croc-free at elevation). Curtain Fig Tree is a 500-year-old strangler fig. Platypus spotting at Yungaburra. 2-3 days with free camping at several designated areas.

Cairns to Townsville Coast

350 km south. 3-5 days with stops. Mission Beach is the jumping-off point for Dunk Island. Wallaman Falls (Australia's tallest single-drop waterfall at 268m) is a 90-minute detour. Magnetic Island from Townsville has koalas, snorkeling and camping. Cardwell's spa pool is a natural infinity pool overlooking the Coral Sea.

Reef Day Trips

Park your van at a Cairns holiday park and take a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Boats depart from Cairns and Port Douglas daily. $200-$280 AUD per person including snorkeling gear and lunch. Quicksilver and Reef Magic are the major operators. The outer reef has better visibility than inner reef. Allow a full day — boats leave at 8am and return at 5pm.

Tropical beach along the Great Barrier Reef coast — Unsplash

Cairns-Specific Tips

→ Wet season is real. November through April brings tropical monsoons. Roads flood. Cape Tribulation can become inaccessible. Some rental companies restrict where you can drive in wet season. Stick to May-October for reliability.
→ Crocodiles are everywhere in waterways. Estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles inhabit every waterway north of Townsville. Don't swim in rivers, creeks, estuaries or ocean beaches where signs warn you. The Tablelands lakes are safe — they're at altitude and croc-free.
→ Stinger season (October-May). Box jellyfish and Irukandji are in coastal waters during the wet season. Stinger nets at some beaches. Reef trips provide stinger suits. Dry season is sting-free.
→ Cassowary warning signs. Southern cassowaries (large flightless birds) cross roads in the Daintree and Mission Beach areas. They're endangered and dangerous when provoked. Drive slowly in cassowary zones, especially at dawn and dusk.

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