Australia / Sydney
Rent a Campervan in Sydney Gateway to the NSW Coast
Sydney has the most campervan rental options in Australia. Every major fleet company has a depot here. The NSW coast runs 2,000+ km in both directions with beach camping, national parks and coastal towns. Most renters head south toward Melbourne or north toward Byron Bay.
Sydney Rental Pricing
| Platform | Pricing (AUD) | Sydney Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo | $100-$280/night | Largest fleet, depot near airport |
| Britz | $130-$350/night | Premium vehicles, strong service |
| Jucy | $80-$140/night | Budget backpacker vans, limited fleet |
| Maui | $200-$350/night | Luxury motorhomes, newest fleet |
| Camplify | $80-$280/night | Peer-to-peer, unique private vehicles |
| Spaceship | $70-$120/night | Cheapest option, relocation deals |
Picking Up in Sydney
Most depots are in the western suburbs near Sydney Airport (Mascot, Alexandria, Botany). Apollo and Britz offer airport shuttles. Plan your pickup for mid-morning — Sydney traffic before 9am is miserable. Head south or west out of the city to avoid peak-hour chaos on the M5 and M1.
If you're arriving on an international flight, don't pick up your van jet-lagged. Spend one night in Sydney, adjust to the timezone and pick up the next morning. Driving on the left side of the road while sleep-deprived is a terrible idea.
Best Road Trips From Sydney
Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive
1,040 km via the Princes Highway and coast road. 5-7 days. Jervis Bay (whitest sand in the world at Hyams Beach), Batemans Bay for oysters, Lakes Entrance for fishing, Wilsons Promontory for hiking. Drop the van in Melbourne and fly back — one-way fees apply but save you backtracking. Best from February to May.
Sydney to Byron Bay
770 km via the Pacific Highway. 4-6 days. Hunter Valley wine region first stop (2 hours north). Port Macquarie for koala hospital. Coffs Harbour for the Big Banana (it's a thing). Byron Bay for the lighthouse, surf and the most laid-back town in NSW. Continue to Brisbane for one-way drop if you want.
Blue Mountains
90 minutes west of Sydney. Weekend or 2-3 day trip. Three Sisters at Echo Point, Wentworth Falls and the Six Foot Track. Blackheath and Katoomba have holiday parks. The Jenolan Caves are worth the extra hour's drive. Winter (June-August) gets cold at 1,000m elevation but the empty trails are worth it.
South Coast: Kiama to Merimbula
400 km of uncrowded coastline. 3-5 days. Kiama Blowhole, Seven Mile Beach, Pebbly Beach (kangaroos on the sand), Narooma for snorkeling with seals and Merimbula for fishing and oysters. Less touristy than the north coast. Excellent free camping at designated rest areas.
Sydney-Specific Tips
- → Toll roads are everywhere. Sydney has more toll roads than any Australian city. E-tags are electronic toll passes — your rental company can set one up. Without an e-tag, you get fined. Budget $10-$20 in tolls just leaving the city.
- → Don't camp in Sydney metro. Overnight parking in a campervan within Sydney council areas is heavily policed. Get out of the city on day one. Royal National Park (1 hour south) has the closest legal camping.
- → Summer school holidays (mid-Dec to late Jan). Every Australian family hits the coast. Holiday parks and beach camping spots fill up. Book ahead or go in March when things calm down.
- → Fuel costs. Petrol averages $1.80-$2.20 AUD/litre. Diesel is similar. A campervan getting 10-12 L/100km costs $20-$26 AUD per 100 km. Budget $50-$80 AUD/day in fuel for touring.
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