Campervan and Motorhome hire — Cairns

Find a wide selection of campervans and motorhomes for hire in Cairns and the surrounding area. Discover unique vehicles offered by private owners — from compact campervans for 2, perfect for couples, to spacious 6-berth motorhomes, ideal for families. Flexible booking, competitive prices and insurance included.

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Motorhomes available for hire — Cairns

From sleek A-class models to versatile coachbuilts and low-profiles, there’s a motorhome for every adventure—whether you need a compact getaway for two or a spacious multi-berth for the whole family.

Campervans available for hire — Cairns

The campervan is the ultimate all-rounder. Effortlessly practical and built for freedom, it’s just as at home navigating tight city streets as it is exploring the heart of the countryside.

Why choose Cairns for your road trip

Cairns — a city worth exploring

Cairns sits at the doorstep of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest — making it one of the few cities on Earth where coral reef meets ancient jungle. The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, a free saltwater swimming pool on the waterfront, is the social heart of the city and a brilliant place to cool off after a day on the road. From here you can walk to Cairns Aquarium, home to 71 unique ecosystems across 15,000 animals, or browse the weekend Rusty's Markets for tropical fruit you won't find further south. History lovers will enjoy a visit to the Cairns Museum inside the heritage-listed School of Arts building on the corner of Lake and Shields Streets. Port Douglas is just 67 km north along one of Australia's most scenic coastal drives, while the Atherton Tablelands begin roughly 90 km southwest, offering cooler elevations, crater lakes, and waterfall circuits ideal for campervan touring. The roads around Cairns are generally well-maintained and suited to larger vehicles, though some rainforest tracks require a compact setup. Hiring a motorhome through Yescapa connects you with local owners who know the region's best overnight spots and seasonal tips. A campervan gives you the freedom to chase the reef one day and the rainforest the next — all at your own pace.

Best time to visit

The dry season from May to October is the most comfortable time to explore Cairns by campervan, with warm days, low humidity, and excellent reef visibility. The Cairns Festival in late August and early September fills the city with live music, street art, and outdoor performances worth timing your trip around. The wet season from November to April brings lush green landscapes and fewer crowds, so you can often find great value when you hire through Yescapa's peer-to-peer platform. Booking a few weeks ahead during the dry season helps secure your preferred motorhome, especially around school holidays in June and July.

Top getaways from Cairns

Cairns is the perfect base for exploring the region by motorhome or campervan. Here are our 6 must-see getaways

Cairns to Port Douglas

67km north 1–4 days

Head 67 km north along the Captain Cook Highway, one of Australia's finest coastal roads. Stop at Rex Lookout for panoramic views, then explore the Daintree Discovery Centre and Four Mile Beach. Campervan parking is available along Warner Street, and several campgrounds sit just outside town.

Cairns to Atherton Tablelands

90km southwest 2–4 days

Drive 90 km southwest from Cairns to the cool highlands of the Atherton Tablelands. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls, Lake Barrine, and the Curtain Fig Tree. The winding Gillies Highway is well-sealed and suitable for motorhomes, with several campgrounds offering powered sites along the way.

Cairns to Daintree and Cape Tribulation

140km north 3–6 days

Travel 140 km north from Cairns to where the rainforest meets the reef at Cape Tribulation. Cross the Daintree River by cable ferry and stop at Mossman Gorge for a refreshing swim. Campervan-friendly campsites are dotted along the coast, though roads narrow beyond the Daintree.

Cairns to Mission Beach

170km south 3–6 days

Head 170 km south from Cairns along the Bruce Highway to Mission Beach, gateway to Dunk Island. Walk the Licuala Fan Palm Track through World Heritage rainforest and spot cassowaries in the wild. Several beachside caravan parks welcome motorhomes with full hook-ups and ocean views.

Cairns to Townsville

350km south 5–8 days

Cover 350 km south from Cairns to Townsville, stopping at Cardwell's Spa Pool and Wallaman Falls, Australia's tallest single-drop waterfall. In Townsville, visit Reef HQ Aquarium and Castle Hill Lookout. Campervan sites are plentiful along the route with dump points well signposted.

Cairns to Cooktown

260km north 5–8 days

Drive 260 km north from Cairns to historic Cooktown via the Inland Route through the Palmer River Goldfields. Visit the James Cook Museum and Grassy Hill Lookout. The sealed inland road suits most motorhomes, and free camping areas are available at several rest stops along the way.

Rent a campervan on Yescapa: how does it work?

Discover step by step how we work. We accompany you at every stage of the rental process, both owners and travellers.

Discover

Find the perfect vehicle

Find for a leisure vehicle near you or a destination idea according to your planned route, then specify the pick-up and return dates. The perfect vehicle for your road trip holiday is waiting for you!

Connecting people

Confirm your booking

Make one or more booking requests for leisure vehicles that have caught your eye and wait for the owners' responses. Once your request has been accepted, all you have to do is confirm your booking.

Pick-up

Go on an adventure

On the pick-up date, collect the vehicle and listen to the valuable advice of the owner for handling it; you are ready hit the road with family, as a couple or with friends.

Return

All good things must come to an end...

Once again, with the owner complete the vehicle condition check and sign the Rental Agreement as well as exchange your travel stories. All you have to do is imagine your next road trip!

Campsites and parkings for recreational vehicles in Cairns

Recommended campsites

Cairns and its surroundings offer a wide range of campsites suited to both campervans and motorhomes. Along the coast you will find tropical beachside parks with powered sites, dump points, and laundry facilities, while inland options on the Atherton Tablelands provide cooler settings beside crater lakes and waterfalls. Most parks in the region cater for larger vehicles with drive-through pitches, electric hook-ups, showers, and camp kitchens.

  • Cairns Holiday Park Cairns (4km south)Powered sites, dump point, swimming pool, camp kitchen, laundry, Wi-Fi, showers and toilets
  • BIG4 Cairns Crystal Cascades Holiday Park Redlynch (12km west)Powered and unpowered sites, swimming pool, camp kitchen, BBQ area, laundry, showers and toilets
  • Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows Ellis Beach (28km north)Beachfront powered sites, camp kitchen, showers, toilets, laundry, Wi-Fi
  • Daintree Riverview Caravan Park Daintree Village (100km north)Powered and unpowered sites, river access, showers, toilets, laundry, BBQ area
  • BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Woree (7km south)Powered sites, water park, swimming pools, camp kitchen, dump point, laundry, Wi-Fi, showers and toilets

Where to park your motorhome

Cairns city centre has several options for parking larger vehicles, though spaces can fill up during the dry season. Overnight parking in public car parks is generally not permitted unless signposted. For longer stays, dedicated caravan parks on the city fringe are the most practical choice. Always check height and length restrictions before entering multi-storey facilities, as most are unsuitable for motorhomes.

  • Cairns Esplanade Car Park, Adjacent to the city — Open-air car park along the Esplanade with spaces for larger vehicles. Day parking only; no overnight stays permitted.
  • Cairns City Council Car Park (Sheridan Street), 1km west — Council-managed car park near the city centre. Height-restricted sections exist, so check signage for motorhome suitability.
  • Cairns Showgrounds Parking, 2km south — Large open area occasionally used for events. Suitable for motorhomes when events are not scheduled; confirm availability locally.

Frequently asked questions

What our users say about our campervans and motorhomes in Cairns

Patricia Cora Noël
5 / 5

Una pareja muy amable y simpática, han tratado la furgoneta muy bien y no ha habido ningun problema

Suleman
5 / 5

That was nice and smooth

Patricia Cora Noël
5 / 5

Fueron dos chicas muy amables y atentas. Han cuidado la furgoneta muy bien y la han devuelto en perfecto estado

Ciaran Andrew
5 / 5

Simon and his girlfriend Arantx were fantastic. Both were very friendly and helpful from start to finish. The van was in excellent condition and stocked with all the essential we needed for the trip! Highly recommend

Laura
5 / 5

Ottima strumento per trovare camper e facilmente prenotabile. Servizio ottimo

Patricia Cora Noël
5 / 5

Des del primer momento el trato con Jordi fue de diez, hemos estado en contacto con el por si tenia alguna duda y ha ido todo genial. Al hacer el check out la furgoneta estava igual tal cual le entregamos asi que todo muy correcto! Te esperamos para la proxima Jordi! Gracias por confiar en nosotros🙌🏽😄

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