Camperman Australia is a budget-friendly campervan hire company operating exclusively on Australia's east coast. Based in Cairns, they run a focused fleet of
Camperman Australia punches well above its weight for a budget campervan hire company. Operating exclusively on Australia's east coast — Cairns, Airlie Beach, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney — they've built a focused operation around one simple proposition: reliable Toyota HiAce HiTop campervans at honest prices, with none of the insurance drama that makes booking with the big operators such a headache.
Four models. The Juliette 2-3 HighTop is the entry point — manual transmission, no onboard bathroom, older (2009–2016 year range), but everything you actually need for the east coast run: a convertible double bed, overhead single, gas cooker, fridge, and all linen and kitchenware included at no extra charge. If you are two people on a budget, this is hard to beat.
Step up to the Maxie 3 HighTop (2010–2018) and you get a slightly newer vehicle with an extendable countertop — handy for alfresco breakfasts at a national park. Still manual, still no bathroom, but the improved build quality is noticeable.
The two shower-and-toilet models are where Camperman really differentiates. The Maxie 4 Deluxe (2010–2020, their newest vehicles) sleeps four inside and has an onboard hot and cold shower plus cassette toilet — making it genuinely self-contained for free camping away from powered sites. If you are planning a Whitsundays stop or want the flexibility of pulling into a national park without hunting for a shower block, this is the model to book.
At the top of the range, the Paradise Family 5 fits five seatbelted passengers, sleeps four inside and one in a supplied tent, and also has shower and toilet. It is built on older stock (2008–2013) but the Toyota HiAce mechanicals are famously long-lived — these things run 400,000+ km with routine servicing.
The headline number is the bond: $500. Compare that to Britz at $7,500 or Apollo at $5,000 and you start to understand why budget travellers gravitate to Camperman. Your credit card is not hostage for the entire trip, which matters when you are travelling on a tight budget and need that headroom.
They do not offer excess reduction options beyond tyre and windscreen cover ($100 with a $0 excess), so if you damage the vehicle you are up for a maximum of $500 out of pocket. For most people that is a fair trade for the lower bond and base rate. Pricing also includes unlimited kilometres and comprehensive insurance — no daily equipment fees stacked on top.
Camperman accepts drivers from 18 years old with a valid licence, including green P-plates. That puts them ahead of most of the market — many operators will not touch under-21 drivers, and the ones that do often apply punitive young driver surcharges. If you are a backpacker doing the east coast loop for the first time, Camperman is one of very few operators where your age does not price you out.
One-way hires between depots are available, which is essential if you are doing the classic Cairns to Sydney run or flying into one city and out of another. It is also worth checking their relocation deals — Camperman occasionally offers near-free hire rates for moving vehicles between depots to rebalance their fleet.
Roadside assistance runs 8am to 9pm daily (not 24/7, worth noting if you are planning remote legs). For the east coast route with its reasonable population density, this is generally fine — but pack some breakdown basics if you are heading into national park country far from the highway.
Five depots: Cairns (440 Sheridan Street), Airlie Beach (Heart of Reef Shuttles, Cannonvale), Brisbane (Virginia), Melbourne (Coburg) and Sydney (Caringbah). The locations are not always central — Caringbah is about 30 minutes south of Sydney CBD and Virginia is north of Brisbane city. Budget time and possibly a taxi for pickup and drop-off. The Airlie Beach depot is a shared facility at a shuttle company in Cannonvale, which works fine in practice but requires a bit of coordination on arrival.
The reviews are mixed, and Camperman does not try to hide that. Outstanding five-star experiences sit alongside genuine complaints — usually around vehicle condition (older fleet) and depot logistics. The honest read: you are hiring a vehicle that has done considerable kilometres, and Camperman is upfront about year ranges during the booking process. Do your vehicle walkthrough thoroughly at pickup, note any existing damage, and you will almost certainly have a fine trip. Expect brand-new and you will be disappointed.
For budget east coast travellers — especially young drivers, backpackers, and small families who want to keep the bond low — Camperman Australia is a genuinely good choice. The $500 bond, all-inclusive pricing, and 18+ age policy are real, meaningful advantages over larger operators. The fleet is older but reliable. If you want the newest campervans, go to Britz or Apollo and pay twice as much. If you want a solid east coast run without breaking the bank, Camperman delivers exactly what it promises.
18 years old — and no punitive young driver surcharges on top. This makes Camperman one of the most accessible operators on the east coast for backpackers and younger travellers. Green P-platers with a valid licence are accepted.
Four Toyota HiAce HiTop models: the Juliette 2-3 (entry, manual, no bathroom, older stock), Maxie 3 (slightly newer, manual, no bathroom), Maxie 4 Deluxe (self-contained with onboard shower and cassette toilet, 2010–2020 stock), and Paradise Family 5 (5 seats, 4 inside + 1 in supplied tent, shower and toilet). The Maxie 4 Deluxe is the standout value pick for anyone wanting free camping flexibility.
$500 — one of the lowest bonds in the Australian market. Compare this to $5,000–$7,500 at major national operators. For budget travellers who need that credit card headroom during their trip, this is a meaningful practical advantage.
Yes — between their five east coast depots: Cairns, Airlie Beach, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Classic east coast itineraries in either direction are straightforward. No west coast or Northern Territory coverage — for those routes, look at Apollo or Wicked Campers.
Comprehensive insurance is included in the base rate — no separate daily insurance purchase required. The maximum out-of-pocket if something goes wrong is $500 (the bond). Tyre and windscreen cover at $100 brings tyre/windscreen excess to zero. This simplicity is genuinely unusual in the market. See our campervan insurance guide for context on how Australian campervan insurance typically works.
All three target budget east coast travellers. Camperman's $500 bond is the key differentiator — significantly lower than both. Travellers Autobarn has the automatic Kuga and extends to Darwin and Perth. Spaceships drives more like a car and has no one-way fees. Camperman wins on bond amount and the Maxie 4 Deluxe self-contained option at budget pricing.
Camperman Australia is the best budget operator on the east coast for one specific traveller: the backpacker or young independent who needs their credit card free and wants a van that genuinely works, from a company that has been running the east coast route since before most of their customers were born. The $500 bond is the headline — but the Maxie 4 Deluxe with onboard shower and toilet at Camperman pricing is quietly one of the best value propositions in the market.
The east coast only scope, older stock on entry models, and mostly-manual fleet are the real constraints. For west coast or outback itineraries, Apollo or Wicked Campers are the practical alternatives. But for Cairns to Melbourne or the reverse run — Camperman delivers what it promises at a price point that keeps money in the bank for the actual trip.
Book the Maxie 4 Deluxe early — the self-contained model at this price is the one everyone wants.
Camperman Australia is an east coast campervan hire operator known for a low $500 security bond, all-inclusive pricing, and young driver acceptance from 18 years old. Their Toyota HiAce HiTop fleet covers four models: the Juliette 2-3 HighTop (entry-level, manual), Maxie 3 HighTop (manual, no bathroom), Maxie 4 Deluxe (automatic, onboard shower and toilet, 2010–2020), and Paradise Family 5 (shower and toilet, sleeps 5 with tent). Depots operate in Cairns, Airlie Beach, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney with one-way hires available between all locations.
The Juliette and Maxie 3 are manual campervans without onboard bathrooms — ideal for campsite-based travel on a tight budget. The Maxie 4 Deluxe and Paradise Family 5 are self-contained with hot and cold showers and cassette toilets, enabling free camping in national parks and remote areas. All vehicles include unlimited kilometres, comprehensive insurance, linen, and kitchen equipment at no extra charge.
The standard security bond is $500 — among the lowest in the Australian campervan hire market. Optional tyre and windscreen cover is available for $100 with a $0 excess. No further excess reduction policies are offered.
Cairns: 440 Sheridan Street, Cairns QLD 4870. Airlie Beach: Heart of Reef Shuttles, 48-50 Carlo Drive, Cannonvale QLD 4802. Brisbane: 2/86 Yarraman Place, Virginia QLD 4014. Melbourne: 273 Elizabeth Street, Coburg VIC 3058. Sydney: 23-25 Erskine Rd, Caringbah NSW 2229. Phone: 1800 216 223.
