Backpackers Campervan Information

A lot of questions can be raised about hiring a campervan. We've compiled some of the most common questions here, in order to make your holiday as hassle free as possible.

Why choose a Backpacker Campervan?

Our purpose-built campervans are frequently serviced and maintained allowing you to travel in a comfortable and reliable vehicle. We've been operating for over 20 years so when it comes to providing top quality vehicles and excellent service, we've got it sorted!

What do I get?

Inclusions demonstrating excellent value;

• Purpose Built Campervans
• The Largest support Network 24 / 7
• Fridge, Gas Stove etc.
• Airconditioning and Heating (Driver cab onbly in Nomad)
• All cooking, Living and sleeping equipment.

What's Included?

• Unlimited Kilometres
• GST
• Extra Drivers Fees
• Living Equipment
• Maps & Campground Guides
• Vehicle Insurance (Excess Applies)

What's Not Included?

• Excess Reduction options
• Refundable security Deposit
• Fuel & LPG
• One way fees
• Stamp Duty (2.5% of total rental)
• Credit Card Surcharges (2%)

What does the SMART PACK include?

• Excess Reduction option 2 (Nil Excess)
• No Worries Cover option (Covers Underbody and overbody damage)
• LPG gas refill
• One way fees
• Stamp Duty (2.5% of total rental)

What about vehicle protection coverage?

Standard insurance is included in your rate. A refundable bond / excess of A$2700 for 2WD campervans & A$4400 for 4WD Campervans is required. This can be reduced by purchasing:

OPTION 1:

• 2WD A$16 p/day. Bond/Excess reduced to A$1200
• 4WD A$24 p/day. Bond/Excess reduced to A$2200

OPTION 2:

• 2WD A$26 p/day. Bond/Excess reduced to A$NIL
• 4WD A$36 p/day. Bond/Excess reduced to A$NIL

NO WORRIES COVER

Hirers who purchase Excess Reduction Option 2, are also able to take out the No Worries Cover option, which covers you for overhead and underbody damage to the vehicle.

No Worries Cover is available for a flat fee of AU$80 per hire for 2WDs and AU$120 per hire for 4WDS (irrespective of hire duration).

PLEASE NOTE: Standard Excess, Excess Reduction Option 1 & 2 and No Worries Cover do not cover:

• Any water related damage, which includes but is not limited to:
  1. any vehicle submersion
  2. creek or river crossing
  3. driving through low plain flooded areas
  4. beach driving
• Personal belongings: we recommend the hirer does not leave valuables in the vehicle and that they take out personal insurance.
• All Excess Reduction is void if the terms of the Rental Agreement are breached. The hirer will be responsible for the total cost of any damage. This will also include any damage caused by willful misconduct (e.g. sitting or standing on the bonnet or roof of the vehicle) and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• The incorrect use of fuel (fuel being diesel or petrol). The hirer will be responsible for any associated cost.
• The cost to retrieve or recover a vehicle which has become bogged, regardless of the Excess Reduction Package taken.
• The cost to replace keys which have become lost, or retrieval of keys which have been locked in a vehicle.
• Overhead and underbody damage to the vehicle (not excluded with No Worries Cover).

What else can I get?

There's also a huge range of additional hire items including;

• Picnic table - AU$22 per rental
• Picnic chair - AU$22 per rental
• Awning (Nomad) - AU$5 per day (max charge $100 per rental)
• First Aid Kit - AU$30 per kit to purchase
• Outback Safety Kit - AU$95 per rental
• Satellite Phone - AU$17 per day plus call costs

Do I need a special licence?

Your standard drivers licence is enough, as long as you've had it for at least a year. If it's not in English we'll need to see a valid International Drivers licence as well.

How old do I need to be to drive a campervan?

The minimum driving age is 21 years.

What's the daily rental rate?

To offer you the very best and most competitive rate, our rates change on a weekly basis.

Is there a minimum rental period?

Yes, it is 5 days for Campervans (based on calendar day). Rental Cars are calculated on a 24 hour basis and the minimum rental period is one day for all East Coast locations, plus Perth, where pickup is the same location or within the same city. Refer to the next question for details on One-Way rentals.

Do you offer one-way rentals?

Campervans: One-way rentals are available between all branch locations. One-way rental fees and minimum rental periods apply. Where the minimum rental period is 7 days, a $200 one-way fee applies (except for travel between Alice Springs and Darwin where the one-way fee is $250). Where the miniumum rental period is 14 days a $250 one-way fee applies.

Can I pull up and camp on the side of the road?

Australia has an extensive network of Holiday Parks in all major tourist centres and in most towns. We recommend BIG4 Holiday Parks, which offer excellent recreational facilities, as well as resources to dispose of waste water. They also have provision for you to plug the vehicle into electricity.

How long does the battery last?

Backpacker campervans have two batteries - one to run the engine and the other to operate the living equipment, like the lights and fridge. That battery will last approximately 12 to 14 hours, but if you flatten the battery you can start the engine to recharge.

Are the campervans automatic or manual transmission?

The Nomad, Wanderer and the Off-Roader 4WD are manuals.

Can the vehicles accommodate child / booster seats?

All Backpacker vehicles can accommodate a booster seat but baby seats cannot be fitted to any of the campervans.

What if something happens with the campervan?

Any repair up to $100 can be fixed and you will be reimbursed when you return. For amounts over $100 in Australia call 1800 670 232 or any of our Branches. Provided the renter was not directly responsible for the damage. Receipts must be submitted for any repair.

What if we have an accident in our campervan?

Any accident must be reported within 24 hours. An accident report has to be completed as soon as possible. It is important to note that you are liable for all damage costs as a result of any accident, up to the applicable excess. The applicable excess will be processed at the time of an accident. Remember, if you have an accident, regardless of who is at fault, you have to pay the applicable excess. In Australia, an accident must be reported to our Motor Claims Department on 61 3 8379 8833.

What do we do to increase the fun?

Well, if you are having that good a time, you can extend your rental with one quick call to a branch or our main freecall number: 1800 670 232

What do we do when the adventure is over?

All you have to do is fill up the gas and fuel, tidy up the campervan and be back at the branch by 4.00pm.

Are there any roads I cannot drive on?

ROAD RESTRICTIONS 2 Wheel Drive campervans can only be driven on sealed/bitumen roads. The only exception to this is access roads to recognised campgrounds.

4 Wheel Drive vehicles can be driven on recognised unsealed tracks.

4WD vehicles may only travel to the following areas with written permission from Backpacker: Strzelecki Track, Gunbarrel Highway, the Bungle Bungles, Oodnadatta Track, Plenty Highway, Birdsville Track, Tanami Track and Gibb River Rd. Permission being granted is subject to weather and road conditions. The distance to nominated destinations in relation to the length of the hire will also be considered.

The Backpacker Off-Roader 4WD is not permitted on the Canning Stock Route, the Lost City in Litchfield Park, Simpson Desert, Cape York and north of Cooktown in QLD.

Backpacker reserves the right at its sole discretion to restrict vehicle movements in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions and/or the distance to nominated destinations in relation to the length of the hire period.

PLEASE NOTE - TERMS & CONDITIONS AND RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.