Campervan relocation Australia: $1 a day deals explained

How do $1 campervan relocations work?

Hire companies end up with vans in the wrong city. Lots of people hire one-way from Cairns to Brisbane, for example, so vans pile up in Brisbane and run short in Cairns. Moving them with paid drivers or trucks costs the company money. Letting a traveller drive the van there for a dollar or so a day is cheaper.

You get a pickup city, a drop-off city, and a set number of days to do the trip. Some deals add perks like a fuel allowance or a ferry ticket. Most don’t, so read each listing.

It isn’t a holiday hire with no rules. You’re on a deadline, the route is fixed, and you have to bring the van back clean and undamaged. If your dates are flexible and you’re heading the right way, it’s the cheapest way to cover a long stretch with a bed included.

What does a campervan relocation really cost?

The $1 a day is real, but it’s not the whole bill. Add these up before you book.

Who offers campervan relocations in Australia?

You can book through a relocation site that lists deals from many companies, or straight from the hire company. Deals come and go daily, so it pays to check a few places.

• Imoova: a booking site with campervan and car relocations from lots of hire companies across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. There’s an app as well as the website.
• Transfercar: lists one-way car and van relocations in Australia and New Zealand. You request a vehicle and the hire company confirms it.
• JUCY: runs its own relocation deals between branches, from as little as $1 a day, first in first served.
• Big campervan brands such as Apollo, Britz and Maui (and budget sister brands like Cheapa Campa and Hippie Camper) sometimes run relocation specials. Check their own sites as well as the booking sites.
• Other campervan and car hire companies sometimes list deals on their own sites, or only through the booking sites above.

Is Imoova legit?

Yes. Imoova is a real booking platform that has been running relocations for years, and plenty of backpackers use it. It lists vans from many hire companies, so the van itself comes from whichever company owns it.

Most complaints in public reviews are about the hire company or the fees, not the booking itself: older or high-km vehicles, extra charges that added up, a bond that took a while to come back, or a booking fee lost when plans changed. Before you book, read the listing terms, look up the hire company’s reviews, and work out the total cost, not just the daily rate.

The bond is set and held by the hire company, so any bond dispute is between you and them. If a supplier cancels, check the listing and the booking site’s terms for what gets refunded. Travel insurance that covers cancelled transport can help if your plans hang on the trip.

Popular relocation routes in Australia

Routes change all the time, but some come up again and again because of how travellers move around the country. These are typical patterns, not guaranteed deals.

Long routes like Darwin to Adelaide need several days of driving. Check the number of days in the deal is realistic before you say yes. For the classic East Coast stops, see our route guide.

How to get a campervan relocation fast

• Check Imoova, Transfercar, JUCY and the big campervan brands’ sites every day. Good deals can go within hours.
• Have your licence, passport and card ready so you can book on the spot.
• Be flexible on the pickup date. A deal that starts tomorrow is often the one that’s still free.
• Check the age rule. Many campervan deals need drivers 21 or over, and some car deals take younger drivers. It’s in each listing.
• Overseas licence not in English? Carry an International Driving Permit or an official translation with it.
• Add a second driver if it’s allowed. Long days are safer when you can swap.
• Read the fuel, km and bond terms before you pay. Screenshot the listing.

Relocation vs buying a car: which is better for backpackers?

A relocation is great for one long leg: getting from Cairns to Brisbane, or to your next farm job in another state. It’s cheap, there’s no selling at the end, and you sleep in the van.

If you’re staying three months or more, or working on a farm out of town, you’ll probably want your own wheels. Relocations don’t wait around while you do 88 days.

Tips for your first relocation

• At pickup, walk round the van and photograph every scratch, dent and the fuel gauge. Get damage noted on the paperwork.
• Ask how the gas, water, fridge and power work before you drive off.
• Plan where you’ll sleep each night. Free camping isn’t allowed everywhere, and councils can fine you for sleeping in the wrong spot.
• Avoid driving at dawn, dusk and at night in the country. That’s when kangaroos are on the road, and some hire agreements limit night driving in remote areas.
• Don’t push through when you’re tired. Plan stops and stick to them.
• Return it at the same fuel level and clean, or you’ll pay for it out of your bond.
• Make sure your travel insurance covers driving a hired van, and check the rental excess.
• If you love van life and want a longer trip, a normal one-way hire may be worth comparing.