Queensland-owned campervan and motorhome hire operating since 2014, with depots in the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane. Sunshine Motorhomes and
Sunshine Motorhomes and Campervans punches well above its weight for a single-depot Queensland operator. Founded in 2014 and headquartered at Marcoola beside Sunshine Coast Airport, this small family-run business built its reputation on a simple formula: a hand-picked fleet, custom-fitted vehicles, and attentive personal service that larger operators have long traded away for scale. Customer reviews consistently highlight the owner's hands-on involvement and the quality of the vehicle fit-outs — and those are two things you simply cannot manufacture at a corporate level.
The fleet is organised around three clear tiers. The Toyota HiAce hi-tops — The Byron (2008–2012 manual models) and The Mandalay (2016-built automatic) — are the compact, affordable entry point, ideal for couples wanting to keep costs down without sacrificing quality. The Byron units are older but priced to reflect that and come in excellent condition; the Mandalay is the premium hi-top option with solar, pressurised water, reverse camera, TV/DVD, and Waeco fridge. Neither has an internal bathroom — the Mandalay has an outdoor shower; the Byron has no shower at all — so both are best suited for caravan park stays or destinations with good amenities.
The mid-tier is where Sunshine really differentiates. The Renault Master-based Airlie Campervan was custom-built specifically for the company — a longer-wheelbase van that squeezes in more living space without needing a second parking space. With 180W solar, 80L fridge, electric cooktop, and a north-south king bed, it's a genuinely self-sufficient free-camping option. The Fiat Ducato Stradbroke is the closest to a motorhome without being one: internal toilet, external shower, TV, and a layout that works for a couple with children.
At the top end sit The Noosa 4, Noosa 5, and the flagship Paradise 6. These are full motorhomes with internal shower, toilet, full kitchen (gas + electric, microwave, oven), air conditioning front and rear, flat-screen TV, and awnings. The Paradise 6 — a 2016 Mercedes Sprinter — is the standout: six berths across two permanent double beds and a dinette, two child restraint anchor points, electric awning, and a spacious separate shower and toilet. It's a serious family motorhome at independent operator pricing. Against the thl brands like Britz Australia or Maui Australia, you'll find similar spec but more personalised service and a Sunshine Coast pickup that saves you a Brisbane shuttle.
The branch setup deserves mention. The head office at Marcoola is the real depot — this is where vehicles are maintained, collected, and returned. Brisbane Airport and Gold Coast operate as drop-off points by prior arrangement only: useful for one-way itineraries but not pick-up locations. If you're flying in to Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY), the location is genuinely walking distance. For anyone doing a fly-drive from Brisbane or Gold Coast, the one-way drop arrangement works well in practice, though you'll want to confirm logistics directly with the company ahead of time.
Book if: You want personal service and a well-maintained fleet at a Sunshine Coast operator that knows its local roads. You're flying in to MCY and want a simple collect-and-go. You need a pet-friendly motorhome or campervan. You're doing a one-way east coast run and want to drop at Brisbane or the Gold Coast. You want a self-contained motorhome without thl corporate pricing.
Skip if: You need a depot in Sydney, Melbourne, or any city outside South-East Queensland. You want a national operator with guaranteed roadside coverage everywhere. You need a 4WD camper for off-road itineraries. For broad national coverage, compare Apollo Campers Australia, Let's Go Motorhomes, or Hippie Campers Australia.
Head office and main vehicle depot at Marcoola, beside Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY). If you're flying into Sunshine Coast, the location is essentially walking distance — a genuine convenience advantage over operators requiring long shuttle rides. Brisbane Airport and Gold Coast operate as drop-off only (not pickup) — confirm current arrangements at booking.
Three tiers. Hi-top campervans: The Byron (2008–2012 Toyota HiAce, manual, budget) and The Mandalay (2016, automatic, solar, pressurised water, reverse camera, Waeco fridge). Mid-tier: Airlie Campervan (custom Renault Master, 180W solar, king bed, electric cooktop) and Fiat Ducato Stradbroke (internal toilet, external shower). Full motorhomes: The Noosa 4, Noosa 5, and Paradise 6 (2016 Mercedes Sprinter, 6-berth, two permanent doubles, front and rear A/C, electric awning).
Yes — on request. Confirm which models are available for pet hire and any conditions at booking. Pet-friendly motorhome hire is rare in Queensland; this is a meaningful differentiator.
Britz and Maui have wider depot networks and newer standardised fleets. Sunshine offers custom-fitted vehicles, owner-operated personal service, and a Sunshine Coast base that saves the Brisbane depot shuttle — meaningful if Noosa, Mooloolaba, or Glass House Mountains are on your itinerary. Similar spec on the Paradise 6 to what the national brands offer at this motorhome class.
Yes — one-way hire is available between the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, and Gold Coast locations. This supports south-to-north or north-to-south Queensland itineraries without backtracking.
Insurance terms and excess amounts vary by vehicle class. Confirm at booking. See our campervan insurance guide for how the Australian tiered excess system works.
Sunshine Motorhomes is Queensland's standout independent motorhome operator — custom-fitted vehicles, personal owner involvement, and a Sunshine Coast base that makes it the natural first call for anyone starting or finishing a trip in that region. The Paradise 6 Mercedes Sprinter is a genuinely impressive motorhome for a small independent operator to be running, and the Airlie Campervan's custom Renault Master build shows the attention to fit-out detail that national chains don't bother with.
The scope is intentionally Queensland-focused — three locations in a tight coastal corridor. For broader one-way flexibility across Australia, Britz or Apollo have the national network. But for Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, or Brisbane-based Queensland trips where you want to deal with the owner and get a vehicle that was built with care — Sunshine Motorhomes is the right answer.
Book the Paradise 6 and the Airlie well ahead of peak Sunshine Coast season (December to February). Both fill quickly.
Sunshine Motorhomes and Campervans is one of Queensland's best-kept secrets in the campervan hire market — a small, hands-on operator running a purpose-built fleet from their Sunshine Coast headquarters. Unlike the big national brands, every vehicle in the Sunshine fleet was custom-fitted and is directly maintained by the team, which shows in the condition and thoughtfulness of the fit-outs. Whether you're after a compact Brisbane campervan hire to kick off an east coast road trip, or a full-size motorhome hire from the Gold Coast, Sunshine has a location to match your itinerary.
The fleet splits into three clear categories. The Toyota HiAce hi-tops — The Byron and The Mandalay — are the compact, easy-to-park entry point, best for couples wanting affordability and freedom. The Renault Master-based Airlie and the Fiat Ducato Stradbroke step up in size and features for those who want more living space without committing to a full motorhome. At the top end, The Noosa 4, Noosa 5 and the Paradise 6 are genuine self-contained motorhomes with internal shower, toilet, full kitchen, air conditioning, and TV — comparable in spec to what you'd find at national operators but at Sunshine Coast prices. For comparisons, see our reviews of Apollo Campers Australia and Let's Go Motorhomes.
The Sunshine Coast location — at Marcoola, right next to Sunshine Coast Airport — makes Sunshine Motorhomes and Campervans especially convenient for fly-drive travellers. You can pick up or drop off without a long shuttle, and the company's proximity to Noosa, the Hinterland, and the Glass House Mountains means you can be into proper QLD road-trip country within the hour. For a longer east coast run, one-way hire to Brisbane Airport or the Gold Coast means you're not doubling back to return the vehicle.
Pet-friendly hire is available on request — a genuine differentiator in this market. The $2,500 bond is on the high side compared to some operators, but is not unusual for self-contained motorhomes. The fleet does include some older Byron hi-tops, which are priced accordingly. Overall, for Sunshine Coast campervan hire with personal service and well-maintained vehicles, this operator is a strong choice.
