Campervan hire in Airlie Beach ᐅ Compare prices & start saving!

Q: Do I need a special licence to drive a campervan in Queensland?

No, a standard UK driving licence is OK. It covers most campervans under 4.5 tonnes, so you are good to go if you can drive a car.

Q: Can I take my campervan onto the Whitsunday Islands?

Sorry, no, - you’ll have to leave the van on the mainland. They have no road access from the mainland, and the vehicle ferries are not available for the public to take a campervan over.

Q: Is it safe to drive long distances at night in this area?

It is possible, but we would not recommend it. The highways are not brightly lit, and theres a lot of wildlife after dark.

Further offers in Australia: The most popular rental locations

Affordable Campervan hire in Airlie Beach

With a home on wheels, you can quickly drive between the beaches, national parks and lookout points that give you views of the islands. Exploring Airlie Beach and the surrounding area by Campervan is a once-in-a-lifetime experience full of sun-kissed days and starlit nights by the sea. It is also home to the Whitsunday Islands, which is made up of 74 islands and also home to the Great Barrier Reef.

Finding cheap campervan hire in Airlie Beach is easy with our easy-to-use website. We have done all the hard work with you and negotiated with local campervan owners to bring you the best deals. All that's left for you to do is plan your routes, pack your bag and book your flight.

View of a beach in Airlie beach, Australia

Overview Spaceships

3.7(7 Reviews)

Comfort
3.5/5
Cleanliness
3.8/5
Value for money
3.8/5
Vehicle condition
3.3/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4.8/5

Do You Have Any Questions About Renting a Camper Van?

Would you like to enquire about a motorhome or do you need further information before making a booking? You can contact us without obligation either from Mon - Thu 9:00 - 15:00 and Fri 9:00 - 14:00 GMT by phone or at any time via our .

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Top tips for your Campervan trip to Airlie Beach

The best time to hire a campervan in Airlie Beach is between June and August, when the temperature is about 23 degrees, which is still lovely and warm. If you prefer fewer tourists and cheaper prices, then April-May and September-October are also good.

Driving

Always watch out for wildlife on the roads, especially at dawn or dusk when they are most active and avoid driving at night if you can. Parking can be tricky as it's often limited to 1 hour times, but there are overnight parking places available at a cost.

Family Friendly-Activities

Airlie Beach Lagoon and Foreshore is a free public lagoon and a lifesaver on hot days. Theres also a big playground here that kids will love. Consider a one-day trip to the Whitsunday Islands (good for before or after your campervan trip as you can’t take your camper on the islands).

The Outdoors

The Great Barrier Reef needs no introduction, and you should take advantage of it while you are here. Just north of Arlie are Hydeaway Bay and Cape Gloucester, which have the most perfect white sand where you can camp under the stars. Lake Prosperine also offers waterfront camping where you could go fishing or sit around a campfire.

Hire a campervan in Airlie Beach: What does it actually cost?

Motorhome prices in Airlie Beach vary depending on the season, region, and demand. Fortunately, with our price comparison tool, you can always keep an eye on rental costs. January is very popular among camping enthusiasts, so renting a campervan can cost around 113.24 £. You can travel more affordably in September, with average prices of 44.1 £.

Best Campervan routes from Airlie Beach

South to Brisbane
If you want a big road trip, you could start the massive 1,100km drive on Byrce Highway towards Brisbane. Along the way, stop at the Mackay region sugarcane fields and see wild kangaroos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough. Take a slight detour to Yepponn for the Capricorn Coast views. As you approach South Queensland, stop at Hervey Bay or the Sunshine Coast for a swim at Noosa.

West to The Outback
This might not be for everyone, but if you want something different, head inland from Airlie Beach into the heart of the outback. It's a route for those who don't care about the ocean and want big skies and views stretching for miles. Charters Town is an old gold mining town that makes a nice stop. Make sure you stay stocked up on fuel. Longreach, Winton and Uluru (Ayers Rock) are other places to stop. Driving a camper van for hire in Airlie Beach allows you to get to areas that most people never see.

North to Cairns
Australia is big, so this is another big road trip at roughly 600km, and a perfect journey after picking up your motorhome for hire in Airlie Beach. There are plenty of amazing places to stop. Townsville is a good place to catch a ferry to Magnetic Island for Koala spotting. Mission Beach is good, about halfway to Cairns, and a lovely, chilled-out town. Two other places are Paronella Park, which has its old castle ruins, and Tully, where you can go whitewater rafting.

Sites of interest and excursions in Airlie Beach

Cedar Creek Falls
This is only 30 minutes from Airlie Beach, a tropical oasis popular with the locals. Theres plenty of waterfalls, some of which you can swim under, which is always nice to cool off after driving around all day. You can park right by the water, and it's nice because you know there will be no crocodiles or sharks. Bring a picnic and chill out. Our top tip would be to visit in the morning before the crowds show up.

Shute Harbour and Lion’s Lookout
Just a 10-minute drive from Airlie is a picturesque harbour where theres a lot of connecting ferries. Even if you are not catching a ferry, it's worth it for the scenery. Lions Lookout gives you panoramic views of the Whitsunday Islands and is one of the best viewpoints in the area. Back down at the coastline at Shutes Harbor you can rent a kayak and take it out on the water. It's a nice escape from downtown Airlie that's worth the short trip and a perfect pit stop while driving your campervan hire in Airlie Beach.

Conway Park Trails
To fully appreciate the natural beauty of Airlie Beach, you need to head out onto one of the walking trails in Conway National Park. One of the best is Coral Beach and the Beak Lookout. This walk provides some of the best views over the Whitsunday Passage and its islands. It's a family friendly walk with plenty of wildlife. Don’t forget to take plenty of water and sun cream.