Start your journey with us today – best rates in Cairns!
We are Australia’s #1 budget and backpacker campervan hire company.
Whether you are heading off for a month-long adventure or looking to spend the week sightseeing, with our selection of low-cost, comfortable campervans to suit every need and every budget, you’ll find the perfect campervan in Cairns with Travellers Autobarn. Enquire now, and you’ll be one step closer to your next adventure.
Cairns branch location & contact information
| Address | 123 Bunda Street Cairns Qld 4870 Australia |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 5:00pm Saturday – 9:00am to 1:00pm Sunday & Public Holidays – Closed |
| Phone | 1800 674 374 |
Cairns campervan hire – opposite the railway station
Positioned right opposite the Cairns Central Railway Station, Travellers Autobarn Cairns offers a range of campervan rental services, and is located within walking distance of nearby travel agents, shops and the Esplanade. We are within a 5 min driving off all major hotels in Cairns and a 15 minute drive from the airport.
Our friendly team is always available to assist with your campervan hire queries, especially if you’re looking to book right out of Cairns.
Already booked? Check out our helpful road trip itineraries around Cairns and follow our blog for specials and travel tips.
Accepted payment methods for campervan hire
Cairns branch facilities & amenities
Explore Cairns: Top 5 must-visit attractions
Nearby Cairns Facilities
CLOSEST PETROL STATION
The nearest petrol station is Caltex in Cairns
Address: 30-36 Kenny St, Cnr Bunda St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Time: 1 minute drive from our office
Alternatives: Shell Portsmith, Mobil Parramatta Park
CLOSEST SUPERMARKET
The nearest supermarket is Coles Cairns Central, located within Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Address: Cairns Central, Mcleod St &, Aplin St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Time: 1 minute drive from our office
Alternatives: Woolworths Cairns, IGA X-Press Esplanade, Friendly Grocer Cairns
CLOSEST CAR WASH
The nearest car wash is the McSuds Car Spa in Parramatta Park
Address: 47 Mulgrave Road, Parramatta Park QLD 4870
Time: 1 minute drive from our office
Alternatives: Cairns Car Shine
NEARBY CARAVAN PARKS
BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut
Address: 23/51 Anderson Rd, Woree QLD 4868
Time: 10 minute drive from our office
NRMA Cairns Holiday Park
Address: 12-30 Little St, Manunda QLD 4870
Time: 10 minute drive from our office
Cairns Sunland Leisure Park
Address: 49-61 Little Pease St, Manoora QLD 4870
Time: 10 minute drive from our office
Compare campervan hire options in Cairns
Compare our range of campervans and find the vehicle that best suits your travel requirements.
|
Wagon
|
Budgie
|
Chubby
|
Hitop
|
Kuga
|
Hi5
|
Budget
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | 2-5 | 2 | 2 | 2-3 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 2-3 |
| Sleeping Capacity | 2 | 2 | 2-3 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 2-3 | |
| Beds | Tent included; must provide own mattress | 1 Double Bed | 1 Double Bed | 1 Single & 1 Double Bed | 1 Single & 1 Double Bed | 2 Double Beds | 1 Single & 1 Double Bed |
| Bed Sizes | 1.85 x 1.55m | 1.5m x 2.3m | 1.6m x 1.38m & 1.85m x 1.55m | 1.6m x 1.38m & 1.85m x 1.55m | 1.9m x 1.26m & 2.1m x 1.26m | 1.6m x 1.38m & 1.85m x 1.55m | |
| Interior Fit Out Age | 2006 - 2010 | 2017 - 2018 | 2018 - 2025 | 2016 - 2018 | 2018 - 2025 | 2019 - 2025 | 2008 - 2010 |
| Air Conditioning (Driver Cabin) | |||||||
| Rooftop Solar Panel | |||||||
| Fridge | Ice Esky | Ice Esky | |||||
| Sink | |||||||
| Microwave (Power Connection Required) | |||||||
| Gas Cooker | |||||||
| USB Charging Ports | |||||||
| Power Supply (Power Connection Required) | |||||||
| Transmission | Automatic | Manual | Manual/Automatic (Automatic available on request—email us to confirm availability)) | Manual | Automatic | Automatic | Manual |
| Baby Seat 0.6-3yrs | |||||||
| Booster Seat 4-7yrs | |||||||
| Dimensions | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Length | 5.3m (approx. depending on model) | 4.5m | 4.8m | 5m | 5m | 5.6m | 5m |
| Width | 1.7m (approx. depending on model) | 1.84m | 1.7m | 1.69m | 1.69m | 1.89m | 1.69m |
| Height | 1.5m (approx. depending on model) | 1.69m | 2.1m | 2.9m | 2.9m | 2.9m | 2.9m |
| Interior Height | 1.24m | 1.35m | 2.0m | 2m | 2.1m | 1.85m | |
| More Info |
Check out The Wagon |
Check out The Budgie |
Check out The Chubby |
Check out The Hitop |
Check out The Kuga |
Check out The Hi5 |
Check out The Budget |
What our customers say about our campervan rentals in Cairns
How to Hire a Campervan With Us in Cairns?

Hiring a campervan from Travellers Autobarn in Cairns is super easy, and our straightforward booking process makes it possible to get on the road to adventure as soon as possible! Here’s a step by step guide on what to expect:
Step 1: Set Your Course
Head to the Travellers Autobarn website and start entering your details on the booking widget (on desktop you will find it on the right side on the screen; on mobile its right on the top of your screen). Choose your “Pick up City” and “Drop off City”, then select your “Pick up date” and “Drop off date”. Once you’ve have your travel locations & dates, click on “See Available Vehicles” to view your available options.
Step 2: Choose Your Vehicle
Next, select the campervan that best suits your travel style. Are you looking for something compact for two, or do you need more space for a family adventure? We offer a variety of campervan options out of Cairns – if you are just looking for campervan with kitchen and a bed our Budgie Van & Chubby Camper are ideal (they are both identical…the Budgie Van is a bit older compared to the Chubby Camper). If you are looking for something a bit bigger – where you can stand in – you have selection between the Budget Camper (our oldest campervan), Hitop (the middle child lol) or Kuga Campervan (our newest campervan). If you are travelling as a group or with children the Hi5 Campervan is your ideal choice!
Expert Tip by Bastian, Sales & Marketing Manager of Travellers Autobarn: “If you are looking for a one-way rental you will find that Cairns is generally cheaper as a starting location compared to Sydney or Melbourne. It does get very busy between end of September to end of December out of Cairns where you will see high rates compared to other months…”
Step 3: Customise Your Campervan
With your campervan choice decided, it is time to decide your excess reduction / liability options as well as any other extras you would like to add – like chairs, external table or our newest item – the Apple/Android Car Play Unit – which allows you to connect your phone to the unit and shows all apps from your smart phone. It’s a bit hit among our customers and only costs $30 to hire.
Step 4: Provide Your Details
Once you’ve chosen your extras, you’ll just need to provide us with your details. Fill in the booking form with your personal information – including email address & phone number, review the terms and conditions before finalising your booking, and when you’re ready, hit the “Book Now” button.
Step 5: Pay for Your Campervan Rental
Secure your booking by paying a $511 deposit for your campervan rental. We accept all major payment cards and offer secure payment options, and once your payment is processed, you’ll receive a confirmation email & confirmation SMS with all the details of your booking.
Step 6: Hit the Road!
With everything booked all we have to do now is to wait until you pick-up your campervan and start your adventure! Cairns and beyond await, so go explore, make memories, and enjoy the freedom of the open road! Enjoy your campervan rental out of Cairns…
How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Campervan in Cairns?
There are a few things that affect the cost of renting a campervan, including the type of vehicle you choose, how long you need it for, and current demand.
Cairns low season is between February to August – its a good time for a lower rates compared to September to January! Discounts are automatically applied the longer you hire a campervan – if you rent a campervan out of Melbourne for over 14 days, over 35 days or over 75 days – you will find a much cheaper rate than renting a campervan for just 10 days. Campervan wise you will find that our Station Wagon, Budgie Van or Budget Camper are more on the cheaper side while our Chubby Camper, Kuga & Hi5 Campervan will costs a little bit more (as they are newer).
For an accurate price for campervan hire out of Melbourne please get a quote via our quick quote pricing tool!
Road Trip? Where to go from Cairns
OUR BENEFITS
Campground & Partner Discounts
3 Tips for driving your campervan around Cairns
Cairns is a beautiful city in Far Tropical North Queensland and is the perfect place to hire a campervan and explore. Here are our top 3 tips for driving your campervan around Cairns:
Avoid peak hour traffic
The most significant difficulty with traffic congestion is on the Bruce Highway, which leads to the coastal areas in the north of Cairns.
The Bruce Highway is merely a dual-lane highway (each side containing two lanes in each direction), which seems enough; nevertheless, when thousands of cars are heading to work from one direction and there is only one way into town each morning, your trip can take up to an hour or more from Smithfield.
The best time to leave is either very early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the traffic. Of course, this all depends on where you’re going and what time of year it is.
Use a Sat Nav/GPS system/Android & Apple Car Play
No matter where you’re coming from or how long you’ve been driving, satellite navigation or a global positioning system is an essential tool for getting around a strange city. This app ensures you will never get lost as you’ll have access to turn-by-turn directions, traffic updates in real-time, and even alternative routes if there’s congestion on your planned route.
Most smartphones come equipped with a mapping application that can do the same thing. Google Maps, which is compatible with both iOS and Android, is a free GPS program. After installing the app, all you have to do is punch in your coordinates and off you go. Alternatively you can hire from Travellers Autobarn a GPS or an Apple/Android Car Play Unit
Drive defensively
As with anywhere else in the world, you should always drive defensively when behind the wheel of a vehicle. This means being aware of your surroundings and anticipating the actions of other drivers, even if they don’t signal their intentions.
In particular, be cautious of wildlife crossings; Cairns is home to a wide variety of animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, and cassowaries, which are known to dart out onto roads without warning. If you see signs of wildlife in the area, slow down and be prepared to stop. We highly recommend not to drive between sun set & sun rise – Australian wildlife becomes very active during night time!
Make the most of your Cairns campervan rental
Find a good location to stay
Cairns is the starting point for trips to Queensland landmarks including the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics. We recommend spending the first night of your trip in Cairns so that you can spend the next day seeing the sights.
While the prospect of a thrilling road trip is certainly exciting, it is in your best interest to get as much rest as possible before setting out on such an expedition, as extended stretches of driving can take a significant toll on one’s health.
Cairns is loaded with fantastic campgrounds and caravan sites, so you can easily choose a place to stay every night of your journey and enjoy a different vista every morning.
Travellers Autobarn offers a 10% discount on camping at any of the 300 Discovery or G’Day campgrounds if you rent a campervan from us. We will help you find free camping sites in Cairns when you rent a campervan from us.
Book around key events
Experience Cairns’ unique cultural calendar by planning your trip around one of the city’s many festivals and events. Here are some of the most popular events in Cairns:
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Every year in July, the Cairns Esplanade opens its doors to the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. Both established and up-and-coming visual artists will be featured at this event.
Cairns Show
The Cairns Show is an annual event that features something for people of all ages, from historical displays and performances to farm and local produce exhibits.
Carnival on Collins
Every year in September, there is a huge street party called Carnival on Collins. Market stalls, live performances, and more make for a fantastic day out for the whole family.
Explore the national parks
Cairns is surrounded by natural beauty, and there are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore the great outdoors. Here are some of the best national parks near Cairns:
Barron Gorge National Park
It’s only a 40-minute car ride from Cairns to this stunning, misty, and mountainous area that looks like something out of Jurassic Park. Barron Gorge National Park is home to Barron Falls, which is located inside the Wet Tropics and is so on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the summer, when the waterfalls are at their highest, you can practically feel the raging waters as they flow through the gorge. The Din Din Barron Falls Lookout is where you should go to get the best glimpse of this magnificent scene. White-water rafting down the Barron River is a great way to get your heart racing if you’re seeking excitement.
Daintree National Park
Daintree National Park is where the wet tropics rainforest meets the reef, and a journey there will take you through the world’s oldest surviving rainforest, along trails shaped by the Jurassic hooves. From the Mossman Gorge Visitor Centre, you may go along a trail that offers up-close views of the lush vegetation, the river, and the clean water that cascades over the enormous stones that line it. Experience Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture on a guided Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk and learn about the myths and legends of the Kuku Yalanji people.
Frankland Islands National Park
The islands of Frankland Group National Park are a haven for indigenous species since they are surrounded by large reef systems and feature rocky outcrops, lush tropical rainforests, mangroves, and coastal flora. Visit this unique island paradise on a day excursion with a commercial tour operator.
Wooroonooran National Park
Many people have never heard of this lesser-known national park, but that only adds to the allure of this breathtaking destination. Among the many attractions in the area is the waterhole at Babinda Boulders, the waterfalls at Josephine Falls, and the viewpoint at the end of the Johnston River Lookout Walk. People who enjoy exciting experiences will find this place to be paradise.
Book around the weather
Understandably, the weather is a major factor to consider when planning your Cairns holiday.
Summer in Cairns (December – February)
Summer temperatures range from 23 to 31 degrees. The wet season begins in December and the majority of the yearly rainfall occurs during the summer months.
Autumn in Cairns (March-May)
Although autumn in Cairns sees an end to the rain, average temperatures remain warm at 21-29 degrees, winds can persist until August.
Winter in Cairns (June – August)
Winters in Cairns are roughly 5 to 10 degrees cooler, and less humid, appealing to tourists the most. Temperatures dropped between 17 and 26 degrees.
Spring in Cairns (September – November)
From 20 to 29 degrees, springtime signals the end of the dry season as humidity starts to accumulate in preparation for December’s wet season. In November, meanwhile, coral spawning brings new life to the reef.
4 Must-see Destinations in Cairns
Cairns Botanic Gardens
Plants from the steamy jungles of South East Asia, South America, Africa, and of course Far North Queensland are all represented, exemplifying the diversity of tropical flora that can be found across the world’s tropical regions.
Cairns Esplanade
The Cairns Esplanade is the centre of a bustling community, with a wide variety of attractions drawing in both tourists and locals. Spend some time exploring this hotspot, as it offers experiences, food, and adventure to accommodate visitors of all backgrounds.
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef stretches for almost 2,300 kilometres, making it the longest coral reef in the world. This is the perfect place for both excitement and relaxation since it is home to a wide variety of marine life that takes on a rainbow of colours. You can go on an adventure to the Whitsunday Islands, explore the Daintree Rainforest, or just relax on a beautiful tropical beach. The Great Barrier Reef offers exciting opportunities for every type of tourist.
Kuranda
Kuranda is bordered by the oldest living tropical rainforest in the world. This place is an ideal day trip destination from Cairns due to its thriving arts and crafts culture and breathtaking environment. Embrace the cool, tropical climate with a jungle stroll along the Barron River before exploring local Aboriginal art in a gallery or dining at one of the region’s finest restaurants.







