Campervan Hire in Adelaide

Camper Champ compares over 20 campervan rental brands in Australia. In Adelaide, most campervans are available from depots located a short distance from the airport, making it convenient for interstate and international visitors.

The daily rental costs for a campervan in Adelaide usually average between $60-$500 per day. Rates depend on demand, duration of rental and campervan model. Vehicles range from affordable vehicles like the Jucy Crib to more spacious motorhomes such as the Mighty Big Six.

A strategic position between Western Australia and the Northern Territory makes South Australia a popular motorhome destination. Long-term travellers and cross-country “lappers” pass through in droves. As a result, you’ll find excellent RV infrastructure throughout the state, from campgrounds to dump points and water refills.

The cheapest time to hire a campervan in Adelaide is during the off-peak travel season, typically between May and June.

February, March and April tend to also be reasonably priced, with the summer months from October-January being the most expensive.

While there are only car rental desks directly at Adelaide Airport (ADL), there are several campervan rental companies within 1–10 km (0.5–6 miles).

Britz, Maui and Mighty Campers are within walking distance from the main terminal.

Travelling by campervan is one of the most cost-effective ways to explore Adelaide and beyond. The savvy shoestring traveller can cut costs even further by following these handy money-saving tips.

Travel off-season: Caravan parks and hire fees jump during peak season. Avoid busy times like the Christmas/New Year period, Easter, and South Australian school holidays.

Book early: Like airlines, campervan hire companies adjust their prices based on availability. Booking early often means better rates.

Choose a modest vehicle: A basic, budget-friendly campervan costs a fraction of a flash, fully kitted-out motorhome. If you’re travelling for less than a week, you can save money this way by skipping of all the luxuries.

Minimise backtracking: Plan a route that keeps backtracking to a minimum to save big bucks at the petrol pump.

Choose your service stations: Some South Australian petrol stations cost noticeably more than others. Use an app like Petrol Spy to compare prices and refuel accordingly.

Buddy up: Travelling with a mate lets you share expenses for petrol, camping grounds, and campervan hire. Don’t know anyone who wants to come? Consider searching for travel buddies on social media (always pre-vet candidates).

Use low-cost campsites: Flashy holiday parks with top-tier amenities can cost a fair bit. Give these a wide berth in favour of free or low-cost bush camps.

Find free activities: Ticketed attractions in Australia tend to be quite pricey. However, aside from a national park pass, bushwalking is entirely free. If you can fit it in, consider packing your mountain bike, surfboard, or inflatable kayak for more free thrills.

Cook at home: Eating out gets expensive in South Australia, but self-catering will slash your daily spend. Give those pricey restaurants a miss and unleash your inner master chef with your camper’s built-in kitchen.

The ideal season for a campervan trip to Adelaide and the surrounding region is autumn or spring. Specifically, aim to travel during March and April or October and November to get the most temperate weather. Expect average daily highs and lows of around 22–26°C / 12–15°C.

South Australia is the country’s driest state, so don’t expect lush rainforests at any time of year. Nonetheless, spring brings the most greenery to the region, while the autumn foliage looks spectacular in the Adelaide Hills.

The most popular season for a campervan holiday in South Australia is summer, when average daily temperatures range from 29°C to 17°C. However, the mercury may rise to a scorching 40°C or more. Don’t even think about hiking in the outback during the sweltering summer months.

Winters get pretty nippy in Adelaide, with average daily highs and lows hovering around 15–16°C / 7–8°C. Nonetheless, thinner crowds and lower prices may prove all too tempting for hardy, budget-orientated travellers. Winter brings peak season to the outback; it’s the perfect time to explore the Flinders Ranges or cross the border into the Northern Territory.

South Australia is fittingly known as the 'Festival State'. Some of the top Adelaide shindigs include the Fringe Festival (Feb-Mar), the Adelaide Festival (late Feb–Mar), Feast Festival (Nov), the Adelaide Film Festival (Oct), and Illuminate Adelaide (Jul).

The ideal timeframe for a road trip from Adelaide depends on your interests, travel style, and bucket list destinations. The capital itself only takes two or three days to explore.

Hankering to sip South Australia’s top drops?

You could savour premium plonk at an esteemed SA winery like Barossa or McLaren Vale in just one day. A week would allow time to sample them all.

If the peninsulas beckon, allow three or four days for each. Kangaroo Island warrants five to seven days of exploration; allow about the same for the return trip to Flinders Ranges.

Parking is tight in Adelaide’s compact CBD. Spaces get snapped up quickly, and on-street bays have varying time limits.

The City of Adelaide Council publishes an interactive CBD parking map covering all council-run spaces. Parkopedia also pulls together council and privately owned car parks into one handy comparison tool.

On the plus side, CBD parking is much cheaper than in other Australian capitals. Expect to pay $6-8 per hour.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic and limited parking mean most motorhome travellers avoid driving in the CBD. Consider using the Park ‘n’ Ride program, where you leave your vehicle in a nearby suburb and catch public transport into the city centre. Most sites have plenty of room to accommodate large motorhomes.

Adelaide has several holiday parks scattered around the city. The Adelaide Showground Caravan Park and Adelaide Caravan Park are the most central options. Adelaide Showground Caravan Park is about 5 minutes from the CBD, and Adelaide Caravan Park is about 2 km from the CBD.

Council by-laws prohibit camping or remaining overnight on City of Adelaide local government land (including in a vehicle) without permission.

If you’d like to stay overnight near Adelaide in a secluded bushland setting, try the Shiloh Hills or Pink Gum camping grounds.

The Eyre Peninsula is famous for its cragged ocean cliffs, and this off-the-beaten-track headland is a top spot to take it all in. A string of spectacular waterfront campsites lies scattered around the area, each affording breathtaking views. You’ll need to be entirely self-sufficient as there aren’t any facilities.

Price: free

Amenities: none

It’s hard not to fall in love with Horseshoe Bay, the emerald green crescent-shaped beach that lures holidaymakers to Port Elliot. Chock full of fancy amenities, this Big 4 branch puts you a few minutes’ walk away. Take a day trip to nearby Victor Harbour to explore the picturesque Granite Island.

Price: from $39 per site per night

Amenities: toilets, showers, potable water, powered sites, bins, bbq, camp kitchen, laundry

A dreamscape of ochre-hued mountains, the Flinders Ranges is South Australia’s trekking mecca. The well-priced Wilpena Pound Resort puts you right in the thick of it, with most trailheads only a few minutes’ walk away. Excellent amenities and rugged outback scenery make it the obvious choice in the area.

Price: from $29.70 per site per night

Amenities: toilets, showers, drinking water, powered sites, bins, fire pits, BBQ, camp kitchen, laundry.

Deep within Deep Creek National Park, this classic bush camp is a great place to venture off the beaten track. Most travellers bypass the park en route to Kangaroo Island, but it’s well worth overnighting here if you’ve got a day up your sleeve. Abundant wildlife, splendid coastal hikes, and a picturesque waterfall add to the appeal.

Price: from $26.60 per site per night

Amenities: toilets, picnic shelter, fire pits

Untouched Innes National Park is the highlight of the Yorke Peninsula, and this popular camping ground is the best place to set up camp. A handy central location gives you easy access to intriguing historical sites, windswept beaches, and picturesque trails. The camping ground is a cracker, with secluded sites set amid lush coastal heath.

Price: from $26.60 per site per night

Amenities: toilets

On the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula is an oasis of green in an otherwise arid corner of the country. Plenty of picturesque campsites are dotted around the park, the best of which is September Beach. Private, spacious sites and direct access to sparkling turquoise waters make it a winner.

Price: from $22.30 per site per night

Amenities: toilets, fire pits

A small network of spectacular council-run camping grounds stretches across Kangaroo Island, including the breathtaking Vivonne Bay. A short walk from the camping ground leads you to a striking white sand beach or a tranquil river, both very refreshing on a hot day. Get in early to secure a site and pay using the on-site card machine.

Price: from $22.50 per site per night

Amenities: toilets, (paid) hot showers, BBQ, picnic shelters, playground

A South Australian summer staple, Rapid Bay is where the locals go on holiday. Arrive outside the peak season and you’ll find a world-class beachfront campsite with only a smattering of other campers. The fishing is fantastic from the pier, and there’s an atmospheric (albeit somewhat smelly) sea cave on the eastern end.

Price: from $12.50 per adult per night

Amenities: toilets, bins, BBQ, no water

Not far from Birdwood lies this aptly named farm stay, where stunning hilly views impress even the most seasoned campers. The friendly owners spent years touring Australia in a converted bus and love hosting guests on their lush hinterland farm. As there are virtually no amenities, your campervan/motorhome needs to be fully self-contained.

Price: from $41 per site per night

Amenities: bins, fire pits, toilets, drinking water station, powered sites, BBQ areas, showers

Well off the well-trodden track, Coorong National Park is awash with birdlife-filled wetlands, curious native animals, and psychedelic salt plains. About half a dozen camping grounds are scattered around the seldom-visited park, including the spectacular 42-Mile Crossing. Fancy a quick dip? There’s a beach nearby.

Price: from $19.10 per site per night

Amenities: toilets, sheltered picnic area

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