Adventure Rentals

Adventure Rentals Review: Premium 4WD Camper Hire Across Australia

If you want to drive somewhere genuinely remote and actually know you'll make it back, Adventure Rentals is one of the few operators in Australia set up to handle that. They specialise exclusively in 4WD — no regular cars, no campervans, no soft-roaders — just capable off-road vehicles built for unsealed roads, river crossings, and the kind of tracks that end at gorges most tourists never reach. Their fleet runs entirely on 2023 Toyota Hilux and Prado models, and the six-depot network connecting Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Alice Springs, Broome, and Cairns lets you plan genuine cross-country itineraries without backtracking.

The Fleet: Three Vehicles, Clear Distinctions

Adventure Rentals runs three vehicle types. The Toyota Hilux 4WD Camper is the workhorse — available in single or dual rooftop tent configuration, sleeping two to four people. It has a fixed inbuilt kitchen with a 130L upright fridge, induction cooker, pull-out table, and full cookware. The 40L water tank, hard-wired solar panel, and lithium battery system mean you can camp off-grid for several days without needing powered sites. The 140L diesel tank adds serious range for remote outback legs. The Darche Ridgeback Hard Shell Eco Roof Top Tent is one of the better RTTs on the market — aerodynamic, insulated, and it sets up in under a minute with German-engineered gas struts.

The Toyota Prado 4WD Camper is the premium choice for couples who prioritise comfort and safety over raw capacity. Same Darche RTT, same unlimited kilometre policy, but the Prado adds pre-collision safety technology and an emergency beacon locator as standard. The portable kitchen kit is less convenient than the Hilux's fixed setup — you're pulling out gear from the boot rather than opening a dedicated kitchen drawer — but the Prado's interior is quieter and more refined for long-distance driving. Maximum two people.

The Toyota Prado 4WD Car is for groups up to five people who prefer fixed accommodation at night. It comes with a 50L fridge, 4WD recovery kit, shade awning, sat navigation, and the same safety suite as the Prado Camper. It's the only vehicle in the Adventure Rentals fleet that comfortably seats a family. Think national parks by day, homestead stays and caravan park cabins by night.

Six Depots, Endless One-Way Options

The depot network is Adventure Rentals' biggest logistical advantage. Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Alice Springs, Broome, and Cairns are all connected for one-way hire, which means you can plan itineraries like Perth to Darwin via the Gibb River Road, Adelaide to Cairns via the Explorers Way and Savannah Way, or Alice Springs to Broome via the Binns Track — without the cost or inconvenience of a return leg. Depots operate Monday to Friday 9am–4pm, with Saturday morning and weekend pickups available (afterhours fee applies). The phone number is 1300 274 473 within Australia.

What's Included and What Isn't

Every hire includes unlimited kilometres, a free additional driver (aged 25+), full camping equipment on camper variants (rooftop tent, linen, sleeping bags, pillows, fridge, cookware, table and chairs), and the ability to drive on unsealed roads and 4WD tracks. There are no hidden mileage costs — a genuine rarity in Australian 4WD hire. Roadside assistance is available 24/7. The minimum hire period is 7 days. What you're paying for on top of the base rate is optional extra equipment, afterhours pickup fees, and insurance upgrades. The Cairns depot is the newest addition, open from April 2025.

Who It's For

Adventure Rentals suits experienced and first-time 4WD travellers equally well — the vehicles are practical, not intimidating, and the company provides destination advice and suggested itineraries as part of the service. The fleet is new enough that maintenance surprises are rare. International visitors make up a significant share of bookings; the booking system handles currency conversion and the team responds quickly to email enquiries. If you want a capable vehicle for a serious Australian road trip — the Kimberley, the Red Centre, Cape York, the Oodnadatta Track — this is a straightforward, well-organised operator to book with.

Compare Adventure Rentals with other operators running similar territory: Maui and Britz offer larger campervans with onboard bathrooms if self-containment is a priority, while JUCY is a budget alternative for shorter coastal trips. For genuine 4WD off-road capability with a modern fleet and a flexible depot network, Adventure Rentals is among the best options in Australia.