Apollo Campervans Australia: One of the world's largest RV operators with 9 vehicle models, 10 depots, and a full-automatic fleet. The benchmark everyone else
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.
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 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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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+).
Apollo vehicles come with access to the thl Roadtrip App (iOS and Android). It's worth downloading before you pick up. The app covers your vehicle's show-through video, CamperHelp how-to guides for onboard systems, and pre-departure checklists. For first-timers especially, having the how-to guides on your phone beats trying to read a manual in a campground at 9pm.
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.
Apollo-branded vehicles carry roughly 60,000–150,000km, representing approximately 1–3 years of rental use. Vehicles from their wider group then graduate to Cheapa Campa (older, cheaper) or are retired. This structured age band keeps the Apollo fleet in a quality middle ground — not the newest on the road, but not the oldest either.
All three sit under the Apollo group umbrella. Apollo is the quality middle tier — vehicles roughly 1–3 years into rental life. Cheapa Campa takes the same vehicles once they've done more kilometres — same depots and support, lower price, older stock. Hippie Campers is the budget youth brand under thl (Apollo's parent company), with a simpler fleet and 18+ age policy.
Yes — all 10 Australian depots are connected for one-way hire. Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. One-way fees apply and vary by route. This network is one of Apollo's strongest advantages — very few operators match it for geographic reach.
Yes — Apollo formally accepts pets (registered dogs and cats) on their campervans with an additional pet fee. Confirm current conditions and fees at booking. Not all models may be available for pet hire.
Standard bond is $5,000 for campervans and $7,500 for motorhomes and 4WDs — held on your credit card at pickup. Daily reduction options bring liability down to $2,500 (~$38/day) or zero (~$45/day). The top tier also covers tyres, windscreen, undercarriage, and overhead damage — worth it for outback or corrugated-road travel. Bond refunds have historically been slow (several weeks) — factor this in if your credit card has a low limit. Full explanation at our campervan insurance guide.
All three operate under thl. Britz is the mid-premium tier — newer fleet spec and a slightly higher price point than Apollo. Maui is the luxury end — full motorhomes, premium spec, premium pricing. Apollo sits between Cheapa Campa and Britz: solid quality, wide network, mid-range pricing. If budget is the primary driver, start with Cheapa Campa. If you want the newest possible vehicle, look at Britz or Maui.
Apollo is the benchmark for mid-range campervan hire in Australia — not because the vehicles are the newest or the prices are the lowest, but because the infrastructure is genuinely unmatched. Ten depots, every major city and several remote gateways connected by one-way hire, an all-automatic fleet, and 40 years of operational scale. When travellers say they "want something reliable," Apollo is usually what they're picturing.
The honest trade-offs: bond refund delays, fleet age that sits in the middle of the market rather than at the top, and pricing that reflects the infrastructure cost. For fresher fleet at a premium, Britz or Maui are the logical next step. For the same network at lower cost with older vehicles, Cheapa Campa delivers exactly that.
Apollo is the right choice for travellers who want the widest possible one-way flexibility, don't want to worry about whether a smaller operator can support them in Alice Springs or Broome, and are happy to pay mid-range rates for the confidence that brings.
Apollo Campervan hire in Australia gives travellers access to one of the country's largest and most established motorhome rental fleets. With depots in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Cairns, Adelaide, Darwin, Alice Springs, Hobart, and Broome, Apollo covers every major Australian road trip starting point. Whether you're planning a coastal motorhome rental or an outback campervan hire, Apollo's 10-location network handles one-way trips between all major gateways.
Apollo campervans and motorhomes are available in both 2-berth and family configurations, spanning from compact HiTop campervans to six-berth Euro Deluxe motorhomes. Every vehicle in the fleet is automatic transmission — a genuine advantage for international visitors unaccustomed to Australian driving conditions. Apollo's motorhome hire includes fully self-contained options with onboard toilet and shower, making them suitable for free-camping across national parks and remote areas.
Apollo Campers operates under THL (Tourism Holdings Limited), one of the world's largest motorhome rental groups. Sister brands include Maui and Britz. Within the Apollo group, Cheapa Campa offers budget campervan hire using older vehicles, while Hippie Camper targets the youth travel market with compact, affordable options.
Booking Apollo campervan hire is available directly through Apollo's website or via comparison platforms. Peak season (December to February) and school holidays book quickly — particularly in popular routes like the East Coast run from Sydney to Cairns. Apollo's bond ($5,000 for campervans, $7,500 for motorhomes) can be reduced with optional liability cover packages. Pet-friendly campervan hire is available on request across most Apollo vehicles and depots.
