About This Company
About Apollo Campervans Australia
Apollo has been renting campervans and motorhomes in Australia since 1985. With over 4,000 vehicles across four countries, they are one of the largest RV operators on the planet. The Australia operation spans 10 depots, nine vehicle models, and a price range from budget-friendly campervans to spacious six-berth motorhomes.
If you've driven an Australian highway, you've seen the orange and white Apollo logo rolling past. There's a reason they're everywhere: the coverage is genuinely hard to beat.
The Brand Family
Apollo is part of THL (Tourism Holdings Limited), which also operates Maui, Britz, and Mighty Camper as separate brands. Within the Apollo group, the fleet spans three brands targeting different market segments:
- Apollo — vehicles from 60,000km to 150,000km (roughly 1–3 years old). The quality middle ground.
- Cheapa Campa — vehicles from 150,000km to end of life (~5 years). Functional and budget-conscious.
- Hippie Camper — youth market. Smaller, cheaper, fewer features.
Apollo previously operated Star RV as a premium brand, but that brand has since been sold.
That structured hand-down approach matters. When you hire an Apollo-branded vehicle, you're getting something that's relatively young — not the newest on the road, but not the oldest either. The age policy keeps the fleet reasonably fresh without passing full premium pricing to the customer.
The Fleet
Apollo runs nine models in Australia, split into campervans (no onboard toilet or shower) and fully self-contained motorhomes. Every single model runs on automatic transmission — genuinely useful for international visitors driving on the left for the first time. Full model specifications and images are in the Fleet section below.
Depots
Apollo operates from 10 locations across Australia: Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. That covers every major gateway for Australian road trip routes — east coast, Top End, west coast, and the centre. All depots allow one-way hire between locations (fees apply).
Insurance & Bond
Standard bond is $5,000 for campervans and $7,500 for all motorhomes and 4WDs. Liability reduction options bring the exposure down to $2,500 (~$38/day) or $0 (~$45/day) for 2WD vehicles. The top tier also adds tyre, windscreen, undercarriage, and overhead damage protection — worth it on corrugated outback tracks.
The Bond Refund Problem
This has been Apollo's most consistent weak spot for years. Bond refunds can take several weeks to clear back to your credit card. For travellers on a tight budget, having $5,000–$7,500 locked up for weeks after the trip ends creates real cash flow problems. Go in prepared: don't end the hire with your credit card close to its limit.
Who Apollo Is For
Book Apollo if you want: a reliable, well-maintained mid-market vehicle; a full-automatic fleet (important for international drivers); wide depot coverage; pet-friendly hire; or a choice of models from compact campervans to large motorhomes under one brand.
Look elsewhere if you need: the cheapest option (Cheapa Campa or Jucy); or under-21 driver hire (Apollo requires 21+).
Verdict
Apollo is the benchmark. Not always the cheapest, not always the newest, but the operation that everyone else calibrates against. The fleet covers almost any trip type. The depot network is the most complete in Australia. The full-automatic fleet removes a major friction point for visitors. The bond refund delays are a legitimate grievance — beyond that, Apollo delivers consistent, professional service.
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Entire fleet is automatic — rare, great for international drivers
- One of Australia's largest fleets (4,000+ vehicles) — 9 model types
- 10 depots covering all major Australian gateways
- Fleet age cap of ~3 years — vehicles stay reasonably fresh
- Pet-friendly hire available
- 24/7 roadside assistance included standard
✗ Cons
- Bond refunds can take weeks — consistently reported complaint
- Mid-to-high price range vs budget operators (Jucy, Cheapa Campa)
- Books out quickly in peak summer and school holiday periods
- Minimum driver age 21+ — no under-21 hire