Melbourne to Adelaide One-Way Campervan Hire

DriverAustralia · age 30
Used for driver eligibility and pricing.
Dates
  • Apollo
  • Britz
  • Travellers Autobarn
  • Campervan Village
  • Cheapa Campa

Melbourne to Adelaide One Way Motorhome Hire

Starting a road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide? A one-way campervan hire lets you take the coast road, past the Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles and the Coorong, without driving back.

Use the search above to compare one-way campervan prices from Melbourne to Adelaide, including any one-way fee. Travelling the other way? See Adelaide to Melbourne.

Satellite map of the Melbourne to Adelaide drive on the Western Highway via Ballarat, Horsham and Bordertown, with a lighter alternative route further north
The direct drive from Melbourne to Adelaide follows the Western Highway, about 730 km.

Find the perfect camper for your travel needs

  • Endeavour 2-4 Berth

    Endeavour 2-4 Berth

    Apollo

    Automatic

  • Trailfinder 4WD Camper

    Trailfinder 4WD Camper

    Apollo

    Manual

  • Action Pod 2-Berth

    Action Pod 2-Berth

    Britz

    Automatic

  • El Cheapo 2 Sleeper

    El Cheapo 2 Sleeper

    Jucy

    Automatic

  • Safari Landcruiser 4WD

    Safari Landcruiser 4WD

    Britz

    Manual

  • 2-Berth ST

    2-Berth ST

    Cheapa Campa

    Automatic or manual · Toilet · Shower

  • Beach

    Beach

    Maui

    Automatic · Toilet · Shower

  • Coaster

    Coaster

    Jucy

    Automatic · Porta-potty toilet

  • Zumo 3

    Zumo 3

    Zu Motorhomes

    Automatic · Toilet · Shower

  • Polaris 2

    Polaris 2

    Star RV

    Automatic · Toilet · Shower

  • Beta 4 Berth Campervan Rooftop Tent

    Beta 4 Berth Campervan Rooftop Tent

    Spaceships

    Automatic

  • River Elite

    River Elite

    Maui

    Automatic · Toilet · Shower

How Far Is Melbourne to Adelaide?

There are two main ways to drive it:

  • Inland on the Western Highway: about 730 km (450 miles) and 8 to 8.5 hours, via Ballarat and Horsham. Do it in one long day, or in two easy ones with a detour to the Grampians.
  • Along the coast: about 1,000 km (620 miles) via the Great Ocean Road, Warrnambool, Mount Gambier, Robe and the Coorong. Allow at least four days, and a week to enjoy it.

The Great Ocean Road is narrow and winding in places, so plan shorter driving days there. On the Coorong stretch towns are far apart, so fill up when you can.

Map comparing the two ways to drive from Melbourne to Adelaide: the coast road along the Great Ocean Road, Mount Gambier and the Coorong, about 1,000 km and 12.5 hours of driving, and the inland Western Highway, about 730 km and 8.5 hours
Coast or inland: the Great Ocean Road route adds about 270 km and 4 hours of driving.

Melbourne to Adelaide One-Way Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Melbourne to Lorne

    Distance: Approximately 140 km (87 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours

    Things to See:

    • Bells Beach near Torquay
    • Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet
    • Erskine Falls

  2. Day 2

    Lorne to Apollo Bay

    Distance: Approximately 45 km (28 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour

    Highlights:

    • Koala spotting at Kennett River
    • Rainforest walks in Great Otway National Park
    • Marriners Lookout

  3. Day 3

    Apollo Bay to Port Campbell

    Distance: Approximately 95 km (59 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 1.5 hours

    Highlights:

    • Cape Otway Lightstation (a short detour)
    • Gibson Steps and the Twelve Apostles
    • Loch Ard Gorge

  4. Day 4

    Port Campbell to Warrnambool

    Distance: Approximately 65 km (40 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour

    Things to See:

    • London Arch and The Grotto
    • Bay of Islands Coastal Park
    • Logans Beach whale nursery (about June to September)

  5. Day 5

    Warrnambool to Mount Gambier

    Distance: Approximately 185 km (115 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours

    Things to See:

    • Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
    • Port Fairy
    • Blue Lake (at its brightest from about November to March)

  6. Day 6

    Mount Gambier to Robe

    Distance: Approximately 130 km (81 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 1.5 hours

    Highlights:

    • Umpherston Sinkhole
    • Beachport Jetty
    • Robe Obelisk and the coastal cliffs

  7. Day 7

    Robe to Adelaide via the Coorong

    Distance: Approximately 340 km (211 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 4 hours

    Things to See:

    • Coorong National Park
    • Meningie on Lake Albert
    • Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills

Good to Know Before You Book

One-way fees

Many rental companies charge a one-way fee when you return the campervan to a different depot. The amount depends on the company, the vehicle, the season and the direction you travel. Our search shows each total price for your dates with any one-way fee included, so you can compare like for like.

Best time to go

Summer (December to February) brings warm weather and long days on the coast, but it is the busiest time on the Great Ocean Road, especially in the January school holidays. Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are quieter, with mild weather. Winter (June to August) is cooler and wetter, but it is whale season: southern right whales gather off Warrnambool from about June to September.

Driving tips

Take the Great Ocean Road slowly: use the pull-over bays to let faster traffic pass, and avoid driving at dawn, dusk and night, when kangaroos and other wildlife are most active. Mobile coverage is patchy in the Otways and along the Coorong.

Pick-up and drop-off

Melbourne and Adelaide both have several campervan depots. Depot addresses and opening hours vary, so check them when you compare, especially for weekend and public-holiday drop-offs. For more on the coast road, see Great Ocean Road campervan hire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pick up in Adelaide and drop off in Melbourne instead?

Yes. Choose Adelaide as your pick-up and Melbourne as your drop-off in the search above, or see Adelaide to Melbourne campervan hire.

How long does it take to drive from Melbourne to Adelaide?

The inland route is about 730 km and takes around 8 to 8.5 hours of driving. The coastal route via the Great Ocean Road is about 1,000 km: allow at least four days, and a week to see the highlights without rushing.

Can I drive a campervan or motorhome on the Great Ocean Road?

Yes. The road is sealed and open to campervans and motorhomes, but it is narrow and winding in places, with steep drops beside the sea. Drive at a relaxed pace, keep left, and use the pull-over bays to let traffic pass.

Is campervan hire with unlimited mileage available?

Yes, generally unlimited kilometres are included for standard vehicle rentals in Australia. Limits are placed on some types of vehicles, e.g. 4x4 campers. The comparison tool will show you whether your preferred vehicle has unlimited or restricted kilometres.

Can I take a campervan to Kangaroo Island?

Yes, but supplier policies vary. While most hire companies restrict travel on unsealed roads, some allow short, well-maintained access roads to recognised campgrounds—check your hire agreement before driving on any unsealed roads on Kangaroo Island (for both 2WD and 4WD campers).

To get to Kangaroo Island, you’ll need to book a ferry; please note that this is the responsibility of the hirer. Check with your hire supplier to see if any further restrictions apply.

What kind of licence do you need to drive a campervan in Australia?

All drivers must have a current driver’s licence to hire a vehicle. Many suppliers require a current and full driver’s licence. Overseas licences are acceptable if they are in English or accompanied by an accredited English translation. Otherwise, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

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