About Cheapa Campa Australia
About Cheapa Campa Australia
Cheapa Campa sits in an interesting position in the Australian campervan market: it's the value arm of a premium company. Part of the Apollo group — one of the largest motorhome operators in the world — Cheapa offers the same depots, the same infrastructure, and (essentially) the same vehicles as Apollo. The difference is age. When Apollo vehicles complete their first few years of rental life, they graduate to the Cheapa Campa brand. Same bones, more affordable price.
That's the honest pitch, and it's a reasonable one. If you want a well-maintained, known-quantity vehicle from a company with 10 Australian locations, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a full support infrastructure — but you'd rather not pay Apollo prices for a near-new van — Cheapa Campa delivers that.
The Fleet At A Glance
Six active models cover the range from 2-berth campervans to a 6-berth motorhome and an off-road 4WD camper:
- Cheapa Hitop — 2-berth Toyota Hiace campervan. Budget couples, first road trips. No toilet or shower; relies on caravan parks.
- Cheapa 2 Berth — 2-berth self-contained campervan with onboard shower, toilet, and air conditioning. The smart pick for couples on longer journeys.
- Cheapa Endeavour — 4-berth Toyota Hiace. Families with two kids. Up to two child seats. No onboard bathroom.
- Cheapa 4 Berth — 4-berth coach-built motorhome. Fully self-contained. Walk-through interior. Suits two couples or families wanting proper facilities.
- Cheapa 6 Berth — 6-berth motorhome. Three double beds, two dining areas, full bathroom. The big family or group option.
- Cheapa 4WD Camper — 2-berth 4WD ute-based camper with pop-top roof and outback safety kit. Built for unsealed roads and remote Australia.
All vehicles have hi-top roofs (stand-up interior) — a practical distinction from ultra-budget operators who skip this expensive addition. Every model comes with linen included.
What Makes Cheapa Different
The Apollo connection is both the selling point and the honest disclosure. These are older Apollo vehicles — typically 3–5 years into their rental life — which means some wear is to be expected. Don't walk in expecting showroom condition. The cushions might be a bit tatty. There could be some gaffer tape over minor dings. Drawers don't always latch perfectly.
That's not a failure — it's the deal you're making. You get genuine quality infrastructure (global company, 10 depots, full roadside support) at a price that reflects the vehicle's age. If that trade works for you, Cheapa Campa makes a lot of sense. If you need pristine, book Apollo.
One update worth noting: Cheapa Campa now permits pets on their vehicles — a meaningful differentiator from most of the Australian market, where dog-friendly options are genuinely scarce.
Locations
Ten depots across Australia: Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. All locations are in easily accessible industrial/airport-adjacent areas. One-way hire is available between most locations — useful for point-to-point itineraries like Sydney to Cairns or Perth to Broome.
Pick-up and drop-off hours are 9am–4pm, with seasonal variations at some locations. Check individual branch pages before planning tight connections.
Insurance
Cheapa operates a three-tier liability reduction system. The base option carries a bond of $3,500 for the Hitop and Endeavour, $5,000 for 2WD vehicles, and $8,000 for 4WD. The middle tier reduces liability to $1,500–$2,500 for a daily fee of $22–$41. The top tier (High Road) brings liability down to $250 with zero excess for $29–$47/day depending on vehicle. For international travellers, the High Road option is worth considering — the daily fee is real money, but the peace of mind for an unfamiliar vehicle on unfamiliar roads has value.
Who Cheapa Campa Is For
Cheapa Campa is the sensible choice if you want Apollo-level infrastructure at a lower price, you're comfortable with vehicles that show their age, you have a dog, or you want to start a 4WD outback adventure without paying Britz or Maui rates. It's not the cheapest option in Australia — that honour goes to operators like Hippie Campers — but it's a solid mid-budget choice with real institutional backing behind it.
One practical warning: Cheapa books out early in peak season (December–January, school holidays). If your dates are fixed, book as early as you can.
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Part of the Apollo/thl group — excellent depot coverage across 10 Australian cities
- Pet-friendly — dogs permitted on all vehicles (rare in the Australian market)
- All vehicles have hi-top roofs — stand-up interior height included as standard
- One-way hire available between most locations
- Airport-adjacent depots in most cities — easy pick-up logistics
- 4WD option with outback safety kit — one of few budget operators with off-road capability
✗ Cons
- Vehicles are 3–5 years old — some wear and tear is normal and expected
- Books out fast in peak season (December–January, school holidays)
- Not the absolute cheapest — budget operators like Hippie Campers undercut on price
- Hitop and Endeavour have no onboard toilet or shower
- Bond returns can be slow — allow extra processing time after drop-off
Vehicle Fleet
The Cheapa 2 Berth is the self-contained couple's campervan — onboard shower, toilet, full kitchen, and reverse cycle air conditioning. Built on a Ford Transit or similar large van, it's the most capable vehicle for longer journeys where caravan park independence matters. The walk-through interior and large double bed make it genuinely comfortable for two people on extended trips.
The Cheapa 4WD Camper is built for off-road adventurers on a budget. Mounted on a 4WD ute base with a pop-top roof, side awning, and external kitchen, it's designed for the outback and unsealed roads. The 80L main tank plus two 20L jerry cans give serious range. An outback safety kit — air compressor, shovel, recovery boards or snatch strap, and a PLB — is included. This is a genuine adventure vehicle: not luxurious, but capable. No onboard toilet; external solar shower only.
The Cheapa Hitop is a compact 2-berth Toyota Hiace campervan built for budget-conscious couples. It comes with all the essentials: double bed, fridge, gas stove, microwave, and sink. The hi-top roof means you can stand upright inside — a genuine comfort advantage over flat-roof competitors at the same price point. No shower or toilet onboard, so you'll rely on caravan park facilities. The petrol engine is economical for coast road trips.
The Cheapa 4 Berth is a full coach-built motorhome for up to 4 adults. Fully self-contained with shower, toilet, and full kitchen, it's the right choice for two couples or a family who wants proper motorhome comfort. The dinette converts to a second bed at night, and the overcab bed doubles as daytime storage. A turbo diesel engine and power steering make it surprisingly manageable to drive. Baby and booster seats can be fitted in the rear.
The Cheapa Endeavour is the family-friendly option for 2 adults and 2 children who want a campervanning holiday without the size of a full motorhome. Built on a Toyota Hiace with automatic transmission and a hi-top roof, it's easy to drive. The interior offers two sleeping levels — useful for families where kids take the top bunk. Up to two child seat anchor points can be fitted. No onboard toilet, so caravan park access is part of the equation.
The Cheapa 6 Berth is the largest vehicle in the fleet — designed for families or groups of up to 6. Three double beds, full kitchen, bathroom, and two dining areas give it the feel of a compact apartment on wheels. The monitor and DVD player in the rear keeps kids occupied on rainy evenings. Like all Cheapa vehicles, expect some wear and tear consistent with a 4–5-year-old rental motorhome, but the fundamentals are solid.
📍 Branches & Depots
Features & Amenities
Customer Reviews
✍️ Leave a ReviewPhoto Gallery
About This Company
Cheapa Campa Australia is a budget campervan and motorhome hire brand under the thl Group, operating from 10 depots across Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns, Darwin, Alice Springs, Broome, and Hobart. As the value tier of the Apollo Motorhome Holidays family, Cheapa offers vehicles that are typically 3–5 years old — well-maintained and fully serviced, but priced below new-fleet alternatives. This makes Cheapa Campa a popular choice for travellers who want the reliability of a major operator without the premium price tag.
The fleet covers 2-berth campervans (Hitop and 2 Berth), a 4-berth family campervan (Endeavour), 4 and 6-berth motorhomes, and a 4WD camper for outback exploration. All vehicles feature hi-top roofs for stand-up interior height — a comfort advantage over ultra-budget operators. The 4WD Camper comes with an outback safety kit including an EPIRB or PLB, air compressor, shovel, and recovery gear. Pets are permitted on all Cheapa Campa vehicles, making it one of the few operators in Australia with a genuine dog-friendly policy across their entire fleet.
One-way hire is available between most Australian locations, giving travellers the flexibility to plan point-to-point itineraries — coastal runs like Sydney to Cairns or Perth to Broome are popular routes. The shared Apollo depot network means drop-off logistics are straightforward. Book early for peak season travel (December–January and school holiday periods), as Cheapa Campa vehicles are in high demand and regularly sell out several months in advance.
Insurance options include three tiers: a base bond of $3,500–$8,000 depending on vehicle type, a middle reduction option at $22–$41/day, and a High Road zero-liability package at $29–$47/day. For international travellers unfamiliar with Australian driving conditions, the High Road option provides maximum peace of mind. The thl Roadtrip App — available on iOS and Android — provides vehicle how-to videos, trip planning tools, and campsite finder functionality for use throughout your hire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campervans does Cheapa Campa offer?
Cheapa Campa has 6 models from 2 to 6 berths: the 2 Berth HiTop, Cheapa Endeavour 4-berth, 4 Berth motorhome, 6 Berth motorhome, and the 4WD Camper with outback safety kit. All are automatic transmission with hi-top roofs.
Where can I pick up and drop off a Cheapa Campa?
Cheapa Campa has 10 depots: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Cairns, Adelaide, Darwin, Alice Springs, Hobart, and Broome — the same extensive network as sister brand Apollo. One-way hire between all locations is available.
What is included in a Cheapa Campa hire?
All Cheapa Campa rentals include linen, kitchen equipment, unlimited kilometres, and 24/7 roadside assistance. The 4WD Camper adds an outback safety kit with EPIRB or PLB, air compressor, shovel, and recovery gear.
Are Cheapa Campa vehicles pet-friendly?
Yes — Cheapa Campa is one of the few Australian operators with a pet-friendly policy across their entire fleet, making them a top choice for travellers bringing dogs on their road trip.
How many people does the largest Cheapa Campa motorhome sleep?
The Cheapa 6 Berth motorhome sleeps up to 6 people — ideal for families or groups wanting a fully self-contained motorhome at a budget price point.
What makes Cheapa Campa different from other budget operators?
Cheapa Campa sits within the Apollo/THL group, giving it access to the same 10-depot network as Apollo but at lower price points. Vehicles are 3–5 years old — proven, well-maintained campervans at a significant discount versus new-fleet alternatives.
