Hippie Campers Australia

Hippie Campers is budget campervan hire stripped back to its essentials — two vehicles, six cities, and a price point aimed squarely at young and budget-conscious travellers. The brand operates under thl (Tourism Holdings Ltd), Australia's largest RV operator, alongside Mighty, Britz, Maui and Apollo. That means shared depot infrastructure, the same 24/7 roadside assist network, and the thl Roadtrip App — all at Hippie's budget rates.

They accept drivers aged 18–21, which remains genuinely rare in the Australian campervan market. If you're in that age bracket, Hippie is one of your few real options. They've also added Qantas Points to the booking mix — a small but genuine bonus for frequent flyers who refuse to stop accumulating points even on a shoestring road trip.

The Fleet

Two models. Simple decision.

The Hippie Hi-Top is the 2-berth flagship, built on a Toyota Hiace with a high-roof conversion giving full standing height inside. That's a real upgrade over the budget models that leave you hunched over your morning coffee. The internal kitchen runs a 60L fridge, microwave, and 2 gas hobs — functional without being flashy. Automatic transmission makes it easy to drive. Good fuel economy on long hauls. Worth knowing: no rear seatbelts, so children under 8 cannot legally travel in this van.

The Hippie Endeavour runs on the same Toyota Hiace chassis in a 4-berth bunk configuration: 2 adults below, 2 children above (max 200kg on the top bunk). The floor plan is more practical than the footprint suggests — Hippie have done a decent job of fitting four people into a compact frame. Two child seat anchor points are built in. No shower or toilet in either model, so you're campsite-dependent throughout your trip.

Depot Network

Six depots across Australia: Sydney (Bankstown Aerodrome), Brisbane (Northgate), Cairns (Sheridan Street), Melbourne (Somerton), Perth (Redcliffe), and Adelaide (Parafield Gardens). All the main east coast corridors are covered. Perth handles the west. No Darwin, no Hobart, no Alice Springs — if those are fixed points on your itinerary, Hippie can't help you. One-way hires are available between all depots.

What's Included

Standard across both models: 24/7 roadside assistance via the thl network, the thl Roadtrip App for vehicle orientation and trip planning, all bedding and linen, cooking utensils and crockery, and unlimited kilometres. Pets are welcome (registered dogs or cats only, $325 pet fee). Web check-in is available to reduce time at the depot.

Insurance

The default bond is $3,000, charged to your credit card at pickup with a 2% admin fee on top — that's $60 you don't get back regardless of condition on return.

Hippie's full-cover option is called The High Road: starts at $25/day, drops your bond and liability to zero. Standard exclusions apply — windscreen, tyre damage, and single-vehicle rollover not covered regardless of tier. Separate add-ons exist for windscreen and tyre cover ($15/day). Check your credit card's rental vehicle excess policy before paying — some premium cards already cover you.

How Hippie Compares

In the budget tier, Hippie competes with Travellers Autobarn, Jucy, and Spaceships. The thl infrastructure gives Hippie a genuine edge in depot coverage and breakdown support. The trade-off: corporate consistency over character. These are fleet vehicles from Australia's largest RV operator.

Versus Mighty Campers (also thl): Mighty runs ten depots to Hippie's six with a broader fleet range. Mighty's vehicles are older (they absorb hand-me-downs from Britz and Maui). If Hippie's six cities don't cover your route, Mighty is the natural next comparison.

Hippie's under-21 driver policy is its strongest differentiator. Most of the industry cuts off at 21. Hippie takes 18–20 year olds. If that applies to your trip, the shortlist gets short fast.

Who Should Book Hippie

Book if: You're 18–25 and want budget campervan hire without the age wall. You want a couple's setup with standing room and a proper internal kitchen at budget price. You're a family of four on a tight budget who can handle compact overnight quarters. You want thl's nationwide roadside network at budget rates.

Don't book if: You need a self-contained vehicle with toilet and shower. You're travelling with children under 8 in the Hi-Top. You need depots in Darwin, Hobart, or Alice Springs. You want newer vehicles or premium fit-outs.

Final Verdict

Hippie delivers reliable budget hire backed by Australia's largest campervan operator's infrastructure. Two models and six cities keeps the operation lean — lower prices, but less flexibility. The Hi-Top is the better choice for couples who want standing room and a real internal kitchen. The Endeavour works for budget families of four who can handle compact overnight quarters.

The under-21 policy remains Hippie's strongest card. If you're in that age bracket, Hippie and Travellers Autobarn are your two serious options in Australia. Get quotes from both before deciding.