Apollo Campers Review

Pros and Cons

How Apollo Works

Apollo operates like a car rental agency. Book online, pick your vehicle class (not a specific unit), choose add-ons and show up at the depot. Staff walk you through the vehicle systems — water, gas, electrical, driving tips — and you drive away. Return the vehicle to any Apollo depot (one-way fees apply if different from pickup).

Australian depots: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart. That's every major travel hub covered. New Zealand depots: Auckland and Christchurch. Notably absent: Queenstown — if you want a Queenstown pickup, Britz has a depot there.

Pricing and Fees

Apollo's base rates are 15-25% lower than Britz and 30-40% lower than Maui for equivalent vehicle sizes. On a 14-day rental, that translates to $400-$1,000 AUD in savings — significant for budget travelers and backpackers.

The add-ons matter. Liability reduction (insurance excess reduction) runs $20-$45 AUD/day depending on the tier. Without it, your excess (deductible) is $2,500-$7,500 AUD — one rock chip or a wallaby collision and you're paying thousands. Most travelers buy at least the basic reduction. Bedding packs ($50-$80), kitchen kits ($50-$80) and camp chairs ($25-$40) are separate charges.

One-way fees between major cities range from $200-$500 AUD. Popular routes like Sydney to Melbourne or Cairns to Sydney are on the higher end. Relocation deals (moving vans between cities for Apollo's operational needs) can drop rental rates to $1-$5 AUD/day — check imoova.com and transfercar.com.au for current deals.

Vehicle Quality

Apollo vehicles are functional but show their age. Expect 2-5 year old units with visible interior wear — scuffed cabinets, aging upholstery, occasionally tired-looking kitchenettes. Everything works. The stove lights, the fridge cools, the water runs. But you won't mistake an Apollo van for a new one.

The mechanical maintenance is solid — THL (the parent company) handles servicing across all their brands to the same standards. Breakdowns happen but the rate is comparable to Britz and Maui. The difference between brands is purely cosmetic and age-related. An Apollo van is essentially a 3-year-old ex-Britz van that got rotated down the brand ladder.

Their vehicle range is the widest: 2-berth hitop vans, 2-3 berth campervans, 4-berth motorhomes, 6-berth motorhomes and 4WD campers for outback travel. That range means you can match a vehicle to your specific trip rather than settling for what's available.

Who Is Apollo Best For?

• → Budget travelers and backpackers doing 2+ week trips where the cost savings add up to hundreds of dollars.
• → Travelers who prioritize function over aesthetics. If you're spending your days hiking, surfing and exploring — and just need a reliable place to sleep and cook — Apollo delivers without the premium price.
• → Renters who need pickup in smaller Australian cities like Darwin, Hobart or Adelaide where other options are limited.

Final Verdict

Apollo is the smart budget choice for Australia and NZ. The vehicles aren't glamorous but they work. The price savings over Britz and Maui are real and meaningful on longer trips. The depot network is the best in the market. If you're the type who'd rather spend money on experiences than on a newer van interior, Apollo gets the job done.

Rating: 3.8 / 5 — Best value in AU/NZ fleet rental, but vehicle age and add-on costs keep it from a higher score.