Car and campervan relocations in Australia

There’s a whole lot to see in Australia: surf spots, outback adventures, rainforests, and even snow for one season of the year. There’s just one problem, it’s a pretty big country, and the cost of getting around to see everything adds up - fast.

But wait, don’t cancel your plans and grand tour just yet. If you’re looking to save money without sacrificing your travel plans, car and campervan relocations could be the hack you’ve been looking for.

Keep reading for all the details.

What are car and campervan relocations?

Imagine having access to a car or fully equipped campervan for just $1-$5 per day, and all you have to do is drive it from point A to point B within a set timeframe. And, to sweeten the deal your fuel costs are also covered.

We know, it sounds too good to be true, but here’s how it works:

• Car and campervan rental companies rent out a vehicle.
• That car or van is left by the renters in a city such as Sydney, Cairns or Brisbane.
• The rental company offers the car or van hire at a significantly reduced fee.
• You drive the car or van back to the original location within a set timeframe.

Ultimately, you help the companies move their vehicles back to their original location, and in return you get to enjoy the van or campervan for a low cost while experiencing some of Australia’s tourist spots on the way.

Terms and conditions

• No driving at night
• No driving on unsealed roads
• As the driver you may be liable for damages to the vehicle such as chipped windshields or flat tyres

Car and campervan relocation - example trip

An example trip may look a bit like this.

• Route: Brisbane -Sydney
• Cost per day: $1
• Fuel allowance: $100
• Distance: 1,800km (give or take)
• Number of days to complete trip: 5
• Average driving time each day: 5 - 7 hours

Things to consider

While there’s no doubt this is a budget-friendly way to get around Australia, there are some things worth thinking about if you are considering doing a car or campervan relocation.

Limited kilometres

Your trip will likely come with a set number of kilometres you can travel. This is an effort by the company to keep you on track, on deadline and reduce impact on the vehicle. Typically additional kilometres are charged at an additional rate per km eg. $0.30 per km.

Insurance

Car and campervan relocations usually come with a mandatory security deposit. This is an upfront cost of around $1,000 that often incurs a small merchant fee on top.

NOTE: Deposit refunds can take a number of business days to come through.

Tolls

Australia is notorious for its road tolls. These can quickly add up on long road trips and are typically not covered by the car or van rental companies when you take on a relocation job.

Passenger limits

Relocation trips usually come with passenger limits. When it comes to motorhomes many companies have a 2 person limit meaning this type of trip may not be suitable for you if you have a family or more people in your travel group.

Where can I relocate from?

Relocations vary from company to company but are typically available from major cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Cairns, Perth, Darwin and Hobart. Some companies may offer more regional locations - best to check with them to find out their availability.

Is a vehicle relocation right for you?

Whether a vehicle relocation is right for you comes down to one major question: do you love to drive?

This may seem obvious, but there’s a lot of driving involved in campervan and car relocations.

Relocations are most suitable for individuals or couples who enjoy the open road, and feel comfortable doing long stints behind the wheel.

As a predominantly driving adventure, campervan and car relocations are short trips, covering a lot of kilometres, with the opportunity to experience a snapshot of different parts of the country.

Relocate a car or campervan - without the kilometres

Long drives not your thing? Already have a motorhome or vehicle of your own but need to get it from A to B.

For the times when you are in need of a campervan or car transportation, Upmove can help.

With a network of movers servicing every city, town and rural community across Australia, we’ll connect you with the right movers, at the right price.

How it works

• Post your car or campervan transport request.

• We’ll match you up with the vehicle transportation teams who can reach both you and your destination.

• Once you’ve compared your options and chosen the transport company for you, it’s just a matter of letting them know where you are and where you need to go.

• Finally your vehicle will be moved by experts so you have peace of mind throughout the process.