Campervan Village is an own-fleet operator running budget-to-adventure campervans and 4WD rooftop-tent campers from 16 depots across Australia and New Zealand. Its character-named vehicles, from the backpacker-friendly Mystery Machine vans to the Grip and Desert Sands 4x4s, each fitted with dual rooftop tents, are built for backpackers, couples and families chasing the open road without breaking the bank. With one-way hires between most locations and 24/7 roadside support, it is geared squarely to self-drive adventures across the two countries.
Campervan Village is an own-fleet rental operator, not a booking platform or aggregator: it owns, maintains, and directly rents out its own vehicles rather than brokering third-party fleets. The company is an Australian-registered business that grew into a genuine direct rental company operating its own depots across Australia and New Zealand, having evolved from an earlier aggregator-style model. It positions itself as a budget-friendly specialist, with a leadership team that brings travel-industry experience and a stated focus on customer experience, value and support rather than luxury. Today it operates as a multi-location rental company with a sizeable team behind its depots, 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance.
The fleet is deliberately tiered to span budget to premium, with playful, personality-driven vehicle names rather than generic model codes. At the entry level sit the Budget Mini-Camper (a compact car fitted with a rooftop tent) and the iconic 'Mystery Machine' vans, painted in vivid retro colours and named after the famous Scooby-Doo vehicle, aimed squarely at backpackers and budget travellers. Mid-range options include the Aventus 2, Johnny Feelgood and Alice Chillgood, while the premium end features rugged 4WD campers such as the Grip 4x4 and the Desert Sands 4x4 (which became available for hire in April 2024), carrying dual rooftop tents, solar panels and compressor fridges for off-grid adventures. Equipment scales with tier: budget vans typically include a gas cooker, sink and cooler box but no fridge or bathroom, while higher tiers add fridges, awnings, solar power and, in select self-contained New Zealand models, an interior toilet; bedding is generally not included and must be brought or hired.
Campervan Village operates exclusively in Australia and New Zealand, with no presence in Europe, North America or elsewhere. The Australian network spans major cities and regional hubs including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns, Darwin, Alice Springs, Hobart, Byron Bay, Broome, Airlie Beach and Exmouth, while New Zealand adds Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, with one-way hires available between most depots. The brand explicitly targets budget-conscious backpackers, couples, young travellers and adventure-seeking families, accepting younger drivers (with higher minimum-age requirements on its 4WD vehicles) and emphasising affordability, 24/7 roadside support and self-directed freedom over luxury. Its whimsical naming and brightly painted Mystery Machine vans reinforce a fun, social-media-friendly identity that appeals to the independent, experience-driven traveller rather than the corporate or high-end market.
Budget campervans and rooftop-tent campers for backpacker road trips — from compact 2-berth vans to family-friendly setups. Exact vehicle can vary by location.
A compact, fuel-efficient hatchback (Hyundai i20 or similar) with a rooftop tent, the cheapest way for backpackers to hit the road.
Vividly painted retro budget vans built on Suzuki APV or Toyota Regius bases (or similar), with a rear kitchenette, sink and cooler box.
A Toyota Regius (or similar) budget camper topped with a rooftop tent, giving extra sleeping space for adventurous travellers on a budget.
A self-contained Toyota Voxy (or similar) campervan with gas stove, sink, cool box and toilet, certified for freedom camping in New Zealand.
A Nissan Navara (or similar) 2.3L turbo-diesel 4WD with rooftop tents and a 45-50L compressor fridge, built for remote outback adventures.
A premium Nissan Navara 4WD unveiled in 2023 and available from 2024, with dual hardshell rooftop tents, 300W solar and a compressor fridge for off-grid touring.
Campervan Village is an own-fleet budget campervan and 4WD rental operator (not a booking platform or aggregator) serving Australia and New Zealand, with around 16 depots across the two countries.
Pickups run across its Australian depots (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Broome, Cairns, Darwin and Alice Springs) plus three in New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown). One-way hires are available between most locations (relocation fees apply), and you book directly online at campervanvillage.com.
Campervan Village's budget vans carry vivid, colourful Mystery Machine-branded retro designs with flower-power styling (built on Suzuki APV or similar bases), giving backpackers an eye-catching, Instagram-friendly ride. These funky painted campers anchor the brand's budget tier.
Beyond standard vans, the fleet includes dedicated rooftop-tent models like the Grip 4x4 (Nissan Navara or similar with dual rooftop tents sleeping 5) and the Desert Sands 4x4, which adds hardshell rooftop tents, a 300W solar panel and a 38L compressor fridge. These suit adventure travellers heading off the beaten track in Australia and New Zealand.
Today Campervan Village owns and operates its own fleet across 16 depots in Australia and New Zealand, handling its own vehicles and check-ins rather than acting purely as a booking aggregator. Its tiered line-up spans budget mini-campers up to premium 4WDs, explicitly targeting backpackers, couples and young travellers; daily rates are quoted at the time of booking.
Iconic Mystery Machine painted vans and rooftop-tent mini-campers offer budget-friendly rates that suit young, value-driven solo travellers exploring Australia or New Zealand.
Personality models like Johnny Feelgood and Aventus 2 give compact, easy-driving campers (sleeping 2 to 4) for affordable, flexible self-drive road trips.
Grip and Desert Sands 4x4s with dual rooftop tents, solar and compressor fridges reach remote outback regions like the Red Centre and Kimberley.
24/7 roadside support and accessible age rules (18+ for standard campervans, 21+ for 4WDs) reassure inexperienced travellers across 16 Australia and New Zealand depots.
Campervan Village is an own-fleet rental operator (not a booking aggregator), operating exclusively in Australia and New Zealand. It runs around 16 depots: roughly 13 in Australia (including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns, Darwin, Alice Springs, Hobart, Byron Bay, Broome and Exmouth) and 3 in New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown). There are no operations in Europe, the UK or North America.
The fleet spans budget to adventure tiers with playfully named models. Budget options include the Mystery Machine vans (vivid, Scooby-Doo-inspired painted Suzuki APV and Toyota Regius bases) and a Budget Mini-Camper. Mid-range campers include the Aventus 2, Johnny Feelgood and Alice Chillgood, while premium 4WD models include the Grip 4x4, the D5 4x4 (built on a Mitsubishi Delica or similar) and the Desert Sands 4x4 (launched March 2024). New Zealand offers a smaller line of Toyota Voxy-based self-contained campers.
Yes, rooftop tents are a signature feature on several models. The Mystery Machine 3 Rooftop Tent (Toyota Regius) sleeps 3, while the premium 4WDs use dual rooftop tents: the Grip 4x4 (Nissan Navara) and the Desert Sands 4x4 sleep up to 5 and the Desert Sands uses hardshell tents with a 300W solar panel and compressor fridge. The specific tent manufacturer is not publicly disclosed.
Berths range from 2 to 5 across the fleet. Compact budget campers and most New Zealand vans sleep 2 (the budget Mini-Camper sleeps up to 3), while the dual-rooftop-tent 4WDs (Grip 4x4 and Desert Sands 4x4) sleep up to 5. Couples and solo travellers are well served by the 2-seater Mystery Machine and Johnny Feelgood models.
Most budget vans do not have a toilet or shower; models like the Mystery Machine and Johnny Feelgood are backpacker-focused with a gas cooker, sink and cooler but no bathroom. The Aventus 2 is certified self-contained with an interior toilet, making it suitable for freedom camping in New Zealand. Onboard showers are generally not part of the fleet, so plan to use campground or public facilities.
Campervan Village positions itself at the budget end of the market, with compact campervans typically the most affordable options and premium 4WDs the most expensive. Exact daily rates vary by vehicle, season, location and length of hire, so we'd recommend checking the live 'from' and typical prices on campervanvillage.com when you search your dates. Minimum hire periods also vary by route and depot (often several days or more, and longer for some remote pickups), and these are shown during the booking process.
Rentals include 24/7 roadside assistance and basic kitchen gear on most vans (gas cooker, cookware and a cooler or fridge depending on the model). Importantly, bedding and linen are NOT included on most vehicles, so you must bring your own blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and towels (bedding is bundled on select premium models, and linen packs may be purchasable at some depots). Kilometre policies vary by vehicle and route, with limited-kilometre and unlimited-kilometre options available depending on the booking, so check the specific terms and any add-on costs for your vehicle when you book.
A standard liability/bond applies and can be high, around AUD $7,500 for 2WD and up to $9,500 for 4WD vehicles; an extra $500 bond applies for 2WD travel in remote WA/NT areas. You can reduce your liability with tiered Damage Cover (roughly $30-$90/day), with the top Cover Plus tier cutting liability to near zero. Note that damage cover is not a substitute for travel insurance, and a merchant fee applies to bond transactions. Campervan Village states that bond refunds usually happen after about 7 days but can take up to 30 days; be aware, though, that customer reviews document significant delays, with some refunds reportedly taking 37 days or longer.
The minimum age is 18 for standard 2WD campervans and 21 for 4WD vehicles, with drivers aged 18-20 sometimes facing additional fees. Up to 4 additional drivers are included free when you take a Damage Cover option; with Standard Liability, additional drivers cost about $5/day. All drivers must hold a valid licence and sign the rental agreement.
Yes, one-way hires are available between most (not all) of the depots, with relocation fees that vary by route and are quoted at booking. Campervan Village is best suited to budget-conscious backpackers, young travellers and couples wanting affordable, characterful vans, as well as adventure travellers drawn to the rooftop-tent 4WDs for outback and off-grid trips. It is less suited to those seeking luxury or fully self-contained comfort, and reviews note recurring concerns about vehicle condition and bond-refund delays.
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