Coachbuilt motorhome
Stratford
4 travelers
New
Starting at
A$80
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.
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.
Low profile motorhome
Stratford
4 travelers
New
Starting at
A$80
Coachbuilt motorhome
Stratford
4 travelers
New
Starting at
A$80
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.
Large campervan
Stratford
4 travelers
New
Starting at
A$80
Large campervan
Stratford
2 travelers
New
Starting at
A$80
Large campervan
Stratford
3 travelers
New
Starting at
A$80
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 a local landmark that draws visitors year-round. From here you can explore the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, wander the weekend Rusty's Markets for tropical fruit, or take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over the canopy to the village of Kuranda. Port Douglas lies just 67 km north along one of Australia's most scenic coastal roads, while the Atherton Tablelands begin roughly 90 km to the south-west, offering waterfalls, crater lakes and cooler highland air. The city's grid layout and wide roads make it straightforward to navigate in a larger vehicle, and several dedicated service points cater to campervans and motorhomes passing through. Because Cairns is a gateway rather than a final destination, having your own set of wheels is the smartest way to cover ground at your own pace. With Yescapa, you can hire a campervan directly from a local owner, which means you get first-hand tips on the best routes, free camps and must-see stops across Far North Queensland. It is a practical, personal way to begin your tropical road trip.
Best time to visit
Cairns enjoys a tropical climate with two main seasons: the dry season from May to October and the wet season from November to April. The dry months bring warm days, lower humidity and ideal conditions for reef trips and driving. The Cairns Festival, held each August, fills the city with live music, art and street performances. If you plan to hire a campervan, booking ahead for the June-to-September peak is a wise move. Outside peak season, Yescapa's peer-to-peer model often means more competitive pricing from local owners keen to keep their vehicles on the road. Whenever you visit, Cairns delivers.
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 from Cairns along the Captain Cook Highway, one of Australia's finest coastal drives. Stop at Palm Cove for a swim and Rex Lookout for panoramic views. Port Douglas offers the Four Mile Beach and Daintree River cruises. Campervan parking is easy to find along the foreshore.
Cairns to Atherton Tablelands
90km southwest 2–4 days
Drive 90 km south-west from Cairns into the cool highlands of the Atherton Tablelands. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and Lake Barrine, both set in lush rainforest. The Tablelands offer well-serviced campsite stops with powered pitches, making it a comfortable motorhome-friendly route through volcanic landscapes.
Cairns to Daintree and Cape Tribulation
140km north 3–6 days
Travel 140 km north from Cairns through the Daintree Rainforest to Cape Tribulation, where reef meets jungle. Cross the Daintree River by cable ferry and explore Mossman Gorge along the way. Roads narrow beyond the ferry, so a campervan is the ideal vehicle size for this adventure.
Cairns to Mission Beach
170km south 3–6 days
Follow the Bruce Highway 170 km south from Cairns to the relaxed village of Mission Beach. Stop at Babinda Boulders and Etty Bay, where cassowaries are often spotted. Several beachside caravan parks welcome motorhomes and offer powered sites just steps from the Coral Sea shoreline.
Cairns to Townsville
350km south 5–8 days
Cover 350 km south from Cairns to Townsville along the Bruce Highway. Break the journey at Cardwell for fish and chips on the jetty and Wallaman Falls, Australia's tallest single-drop waterfall. Townsville's Riverway parklands have dedicated campervan overnight areas near the city centre.
Cairns to Cooktown
260km north 5–8 days
Head 260 km north from Cairns to historic Cooktown via the sealed Mulligan Highway. Visit the James Cook Museum and Grassy Hill Lookout for views over the Endeavour River. Stock up on supplies before leaving, as services are limited. Several free camps along the route suit self-contained campervans.
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 choice of campsites suited to both campervans and motorhomes. You will find parks right in the city with powered pitches, laundry facilities, swimming pools and dump points, as well as beachfront options a short drive north. Most sites provide hot showers, toilets, barbecue areas and Wi-Fi. Booking ahead during the dry season is recommended, especially for waterfront spots near Cairns.
- Cairns Holiday Park Cairns (4km south)Powered pitches, swimming pool, camp kitchen, laundry, Wi-Fi, dump point
- BIG4 Cairns Crystal Cascades Holiday Park Redlynch (12km west)Powered and unpowered sites, pool, playground, barbecue area, showers, toilets
- Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows Ellis Beach (28km north)Beachfront pitches, powered sites, showers, toilets, camp kitchen, laundry
- Daintree Riverview Caravan Park Daintree Village (100km north)Powered and unpowered sites, river views, showers, toilets, barbecue area
- BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Woree (7km south)Powered pitches, water park, camp kitchen, laundry, Wi-Fi, dump point
Where to park your motorhome
Cairns city centre has several car parks that can accommodate larger vehicles, though height and length limits vary. Overnight parking in public car parks is generally not permitted unless signposted otherwise. For extended stays, use a registered campsite or caravan park. Always check signage for time restrictions and vehicle size limits before parking your campervan or motorhome.
- Cairns Esplanade Car Park, Adjacent to the city — Open-air car park along the Esplanade with spaces suitable for larger vehicles. Close to the Lagoon and boardwalk. Time limits apply during the day.
- Cairns City Council Car Park (Sheridan Street), 1km west — Multi-level council car park on Sheridan Street. Check height clearance before entering with a motorhome. Convenient for the CBD and Rusty's Markets.
- Cairns Showgrounds Parking, 2km south — Large open area used for event parking with ample room for campervans. Available outside event periods. Located a short walk south of the city centre.
Frequently asked questions
Campervan hire in Cairns typically starts from around £60 per day for a compact two-berth vehicle, rising to £120 or more for a larger motorhome with a full kitchen and bathroom. Prices vary by season, vehicle age and owner preferences. On Yescapa, you hire directly from local owners, which often means better value than traditional rental agencies, plus the chance to ask for personalised route advice.
Most Yescapa vehicle owners in the Cairns area arrange pick-ups in convenient spots such as the city centre near the Esplanade, the suburbs of Woree and Redlynch, or close to Cairns Airport. You agree on the exact handover location directly with the owner when you book, so you can choose a spot that fits your travel plans. It is a flexible, personal process from start to finish.
To find affordable hire in Cairns, try booking well in advance or travelling during the wet season when demand is lower. On Yescapa, peer-to-peer pricing means owners set their own rates, so you can compare options and filter by budget. Choosing a smaller campervan, being flexible with dates and looking at vehicles in nearby suburbs can all help you secure a great deal.
For couples or solo travellers exploring Far North Queensland, a compact campervan with two berths is ideal — easy to park and nimble on narrow rainforest roads. Families or groups of four should consider a motorhome with a fixed bed and dinette conversion. On Yescapa, each listing details the berth layout, so you can match the vehicle to your group size and route plans.
Yes, some Yescapa owners near Cairns welcome pets on board. Each listing clearly states whether dogs are allowed, so you can filter your search before booking. Keep in mind that certain national parks and beaches in Far North Queensland have restrictions on dogs, so plan your stops accordingly. Chat with the vehicle owner for local tips on pet-friendly campsites and walks.
What our users say about our campervans and motorhomes in Cairns
Richard
5 / 5
Giuseppe was brilliant from start to finish, despite our language barrier, we coped really well. And gave a extensive and detailed tour around the van and explained clearly how everything worked. Van was brilliant and gave us freedom of touring Sardinia a breeze. The van is packed with all the essentials for the journey. Very glad we decided to choose this. Would highly recommend Giuseppe to anyone.
Gary
5 / 5
Great experience, very good communication especially as im a novice motor homer.
Lucy
5 / 5
We had a fantastic experience hiring this campervan! It was very clean, well maintained and exactly as pictured. Alberto, the owner, was incredibly friendly and helpful, and was always happy to answer any questions we had. The campervan was perfect for the three people travelling in our party and had everything we needed for a comfortable trip. The heating, hot water and electricity all worked perfectly, and having a cooker and fridge meant we could easily prepare meals and store food. We would highly recommend this campervan to anyone looking for a trip away, and wouldn’t hesitate to hire it again. Thank you Alberto!
Michal
5 / 5
Thank you, Jesús María, for one of our best travel experiences! Great communication before our arrival and warm welcome in Málaga were the perfect start to the trip. The van was fully equipped, and we had an amazing time exploring beautiful Andalusia. It was hard to say goodbye to our little home on wheels, but hopefully we’ll get the chance to take it on another adventure someday! Highly recommended! 🚐⭐️
Isaac
5 / 5
Zeben was the most amazing and helpful host, always there if needed. The van has the perfect setup and it’s the best way to spend time on the island. Could not recommend more!
Martins
5 / 5
Great host,great camper
Rent a motorhome — Cairns and its surroundings
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