How To Buy A Camper Van in Australia: The Ultimate Guide
If you’re thinking of buying a used campervan as a traveller in Australia, this guide shares everything you need to know!
Australia is a country just MADE for road-tripping, and buying our own camper van made our year-long Aussie adventure truly magical. Travelling at our own pace, enjoying the outdoors and living on our own terms was such an important part of the experience, and we couldn’t have done it without our trusty camper.
We’d saved up a modest amount before travelling with purchasing a van in mind, but we didn’t have a huge budget to play with and I was quite frankly TERRIFIED of pouring my life savings into a dud. But when we found our little 2000 Toyota Hiace, we immediately knew she was the one.
Mechanically sound, small but mighty, with great storage space and a cosy bed setup. We named her December after the month we got her (and a pop punk song we love), and she took us all over the east and south of the country – even into the outback for a music festival!
Camper vans are great for couples, friends and solo travellers wanting to maximise their budget while road tripping as much of Australia as possible. We LOVED the fact we had our entire home on wheels, and could park up basically wherever we wanted and have everything we needed on hand.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about buying a second hand camper in Aus, from choosing your van and budgeting, to essential features and everyday van life tips!
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Table of Contents
Is camper van travel right for you?
To put it frankly, camper van life isn’t for everyone. You’re in a small space with basic amenities, day after day, exposed to the elements and living with nature.
We LOVED the simplicity that came with van life, but even then, we still had days where we craved the comforts of home (or a fancy hotel). If this way of living doesn’t sound like isn’t for you, maybe think about whether campervan travel vs four-walls is the best move.
If you’re not sure, you could always try renting before you buy to see if the lifestyle suits you. For budget travellers, I’d recommend Travellers Autobahn.
Buying vs hiring a camper van
Not sure whether buying or hiring is the best option? These are some things to think about:
Length of trip: We chose to buy rather than hire a camper van as we were spending a whole year in Australia, making it much more cost-effective than hiring. However, if you’re only spending a month or two in Australia, the time spent buying and selling probably isn’t worth it!
Selling your campervan: The best thing about buying vs hiring is that you’re likely to get at least some of the initial purchase price back by selling at the end of your trip. Some travellers manage to get their full outlay back, although this isn’t a guarantee. Full disclosure, we made about a $3000 loss on our van due to needing a quick sale – but for the amount of use we got out of her, it was more than worthwhile.
How much does a camper van cost in Australia?
You can buy a brand new camper van in Australia, but it’ll cost you a pretty penny. For price and convenience, a used camper van is the route travellers will usually take.
Costs for buying a used camper van in Australia vary wildly based on the van you’re buying. I’ve shared our costs to give an idea of what a mid-range camper purchase could set you back:
Initial purchase cost
The initial purchase cost of a van varies majorly based on the van’s age, mileage, fit-out and condition. We saw vans priced from as low as AU$5000, going up to $30,000+ for newer models.
We paid AU$13,500 for our 2000 Toyota Hiace, with under 300,000km on the clock. Honestly, we could have paid less – but for the mileage and condition, we were pretty happy with the purchase price. (We were also in a bit of a rush to buy before we headed down south, so if we’d had more time we’d have maybe been a little less frantic!)
Registration and insurance
Registration (rego) works a little differently depending on which state you’re in – our van was registered in New South Wales.
Three things you’ll need to pay in most states to keep your van roadworthy are a registration fee, motor vehicle tax and third party insurance. We also had to pay a fee to transfer the registration, based on the amount we purchased her for.
Our van actually came with a year’s rego already on the vehicle, which was a huge selling point for us! When it came to renew, we’d have been looking at around $1,000 for a full year’s registration fee, vehicle tax and compulsory insurance.
We also took out fully comprehensive insurance (approx $900 for a year) and roadside cover ($250) to make sure we were covered for all eventualities.
Setup and gear
If you’re buying a basic shell of a van, you might need to put some money aside for setup costs. Some things you may want to consider, if the van doesn’t have them already:
- Solar power: A basic solar setups for a camper van will set you back between $800-$2,500 including panels, controllers, and wiring. We didn’t end up doing this, as we used powered sites, but if you want to go off grid this is definitely something to consider
- Cooking and eating: Our van didn’t come with a fridge, and it was an essential for us when cooking our food, so we picked one up for around $250 from Kings. We also had to replace the camping stove that came with the van and buy a few extra pots and pans, but the previous owner included most of our kitchen bits with the purchase.
- Awning: Our van didn’t come with one and it was one of the first things we picked up, for around $200. We learnt the hard way when we had to replace it that guide ropes and sandbags were also an essential for securing it!
- Misc items: Aka the ‘little bits and pieces’ you forget until you need them! (can opener, I’m looking at you.) We bought most of our accessories including bedding from K-Mart – we didn’t need anything expensive or fancy.
Kings and Bunnings were our absolute go-to for kitting out your camper on a budget. We spent many a Sunday afternoon racing to the nearest 4WD Supacentre half an hour before closing when we realised we needed something!
Ongoing costs
- Fuel: Obviously, you gotta give your vehicle something to run on! Petrol prices can vary but we found we paid an average of $1.60 per litre when we were travelling. PetrolSpy was an absolute LIFESAVER for finding cheap fuel wherever we went!
- Servicing: It’s advisable to have your van serviced every 6 months OR 10,000km (whichever is sooner). A basic service will usually consist of a mechanical inspection, fluid top up and safety checks. Ours cost $240 for the service + additional for any work that needed doing or parts that needed replacing.
- Maintenence: If you buy well and keep your van well looked after, hopefully you won’t need any major work done. However, consider parts like tyres, belts and brakes that may need replacing, which is standard in the longer-term life of a vehicle. During our time with the van, we paid around $500 for tyre replacement, and around $550 for rear brake replacement.
When we were about to sell the van, we also needed a replacement driveshaft, which cost around $900; and had to do an emergency tyre replacement on the road after a brush with a nasty pothole. Luckily, we’d kept an emergency fund from our savings to cover this, which I’d 100% recommend!
Where to buy a camper van in Australia
There are two main ways to buy a camper van in Australia: through a dealership, or a private seller. Both have their pros and cons.
Dealerships often offer more of a guarantee of quality, but will come at a higher price point. Private sales are usually more budget-friendly, but all vehicles are sold as seen, meaning it’s on the buyer to make sure they’re happy with the condition.
Online marketplaces are the most common way travellers buy used camper vans through private sellers. We bought and sold ours via Facebook Marketplace; but there are also sellers listing on Gumtree. The main group on Facebook to join is Backpacker Campervans For Sale Australia, but you can also look at more localise groups including Sydney and Melbourne.
Choosing your camper van
Not sure where to start? Absolutely been there. There are loads of different types, makes, models and sizes of camper van on the Aussie market and it can be tough to know where to start! Here’s what you should know and consider before narrowing down your van hunt:
Types of camper vans and motorhomes in Australia
- Camper van conversions are the most common purchase for backpackers and travellers, where the back of a cargo van has been converted into an all-purpose living space. These are usually your cheapest options, but can be a little rougher around the edges.
- Purpose built campervans usually have a more efficient and convenient build out than conversions, but come at a higher price point.
- High top and pop-top camper vans give extra headroom, offering a bit more room for movement – especially for taller travellers!
- Motorhomes are larger vehicles that incorporate built in kitchen and bathroom facilities. They’re more expensive, but good for travellers looking for more comfort.
4WD vs 2WD
4WD campers aren’t super common, but they do exist and are essential if you’re planning on doing some serious
A 2WD fit our travel plans best and was within our budget. Unless your trip plans are definitely going off-road, I’d say a 2WD is absolutely fine for exploring the main areas of Australia. Everywhere we wanted to go had 2WD access, except for K’gari – where we took a day tour instead.
Make and model
We were absolutely set on a Toyota Hiace from the beginning, one of the most common backpacker camper vans in Australia. Mainly as they’re known to be extremely reliable, with ‘indestructable’ engines. Plus, Toyota parts are generally easy to come by if you do need a replacement.
Outside of the Hiace, there are some other popular vans. The Mitsubishi Express is a good buy for budget travellers; the Ford Transit is great for some extra height; and the Volkswagen Transporter is fuel efficient and reliable.
Size and layout
Size is a personal choice, and while we were happy with our SWB (short wheel base) on the whole, one thing I’d maybe have changed is picking up a LWB (long wheel base) for a bit of extra length.
A good layout can make or break a van, and I loved how we had a bed with an extension panel, which we set up to essentially turn the whole back into a bed at night, then could put away during the day. We had LOADS of storage space and used the outside of the van as much as possible
Age and mileage
Unsurprisingly, older vans tend to be cheaper than more recent models. Newer doesn’t always mean better, and an older van that’s been well looked after can be just as reliable as one made 10 years later!
Another thing to consider is how many miles a vehicle has covered. We bought our Hiace at 280,000km on the clock, and sold at just over 300,000k – which was a pretty good mileage for her age.
Features to consider
Our van set up was pretty basic – an extendable bed, gas stoves for cooking, and a cable hookup for powered sites. We used toilet and shower facilities at campsites and rest stops and ran our fridge off the car battery when we were on the move.
The majority of backpackers in campers we encountered had similar, bare-bones setups. But if you have the cash to spare, you can also get vans fitted out with built in kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Bed & seating
One of the essential features of a campervan is obviously somewhere to sleep!
Power setup
A lot of vans we saw had a solar power setup for running electrical items. We actually didn’t have any kind of solar power, as we used powered camp sites. So all we needed was a camper van hookup cable, and it generally worked really well for us.
But if you’re looking to mostly free camp and go off-grid, a solar power setup is near-essential for your van. You can buy a van without a solar setup and DIY it, or look for one with a power setup already installed.
- Kitchen: Some higher-end vans (and most motorhomes) will come with an in-built kitchen setup, but you can just as easily use a portable stove for cooking like we did. We simply picked up a cheap stove from Bunnings that
- Toilet and shower: Some larger vans and motorhomes will have a toilet and/or shower space inside, but most budget options won’t include these. We managed fine using campsite facilities, although we did have a portable shower that we used when we worked at a festival in the desert.
- Water storage & plumbing: If you have a built in sink or toilet, you’ll need water storage and plumbing. If you’re using campsite facilities, I’d still recommend having a water jerry can filled with potable water for emergency situations.
- Storage space: One of the things that drew us to our van was how well storage space had been maximised in a small van. We had cupboards in the front, then a large storage section under the bed accessed from the back doors.
- Outdoor facilities: An essential feature for us was an awning, so we could cook and sit outside even if the weather wasn’t great. Ours was a cheap one from Kings – guide ropes and sandbags were a necessity for keeping it steady! We also picked up some camping chairs, a folding table and picnic rug to make a cosy, comfortable outside kitchen and living area!
What to check before you buy
The Basics
- Age and mileage: Check that the van’s age and mileage are as listed.
- Roadworthy Certificate/Pink Slip: The exact certification varies by state, but never buy a van without an up to date roadworthy/safety slip. These are needed for annual vehicle registration, and require a thorough inspection of the van’s safety features
- Service history: The seller should be able to share a full service history – look for a van that’s regularly serviced (every 6 months), and check what work has been done previously.
- Fuel efficiency: I’d recommend researching whether the van you’re choosing has a good fuel efficiency.
- Seller vibes: Does the seller seem trustworthy and honest about any issues with the van?
Condition and conversion
- Check the bodywork thoroughly for dents and rust. Any major rust (especially in wheel arches and engine bay) is a red flag to walk away.
- Make sure the tyres are in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 1.5mm. A great way to test tread depth is with a 20 cent coin – pop it into the groove, and if the platypus’s bill is visible, the tyres likely need replacing.
- Is the outer exhaust in good condition?
- Inspect the conversion – is everything solid and safe? Pay special attention to power, gas and water fittings.
- Are the power/water setups all in working condition?
Mechanical inspection
We’re by no means experts in mechanics, and if you’re not sure what to look for, I’d absolutely recommend getting an independent mechanic to conduct a pre-purchase inspection for you. These cost around $150, but could save you money and big headaches in the long run.
Here’s what you should be looking for when you inspect the van’s engine bay:
- Fluidlevels (oil and coolant) being as they should be
- Any signs of fluid leakage in and around the engine bay
- Remove the oil dipstick and wipe on a tissue to check the oil isn’t sludgy or dirty
- Check coolant is clear and free from oil leaks
- Check belts and hoses for signs of wear
- Battery – ensure this is in good condition with no corrosion
Test drive tips
Test drives can be nerve-wracking if you’re not used to driving a van (that’s exactly why I got Ashley to do ours…). Take your time, take it easy and don’t feel rushed or pressured by the seller.
Here’s what to look for when test driving the van:
- Driving comfort – are you able to drive in a comfortable and safe position with good visibility of mirrors and blind spots?
- Starting the van – check that it starts immediately
- Dashboard – check for any warning lights, ensure all switches, indicators and windscreen wipers work properly
- Lights – make sure the lights work as they should. If you’re viewing solo, you can ask the seller to show you these while you stand outside the van
- Air conditioning in working order (trust me, you’ll need this in Aus!)
- Accelerating – does the van accelerate smoothly at a good pace?
- Brakes – super important! Make sure you do a sharp brake check to make sure you can stop safely in an emergency
- Clutch – should depress easily and have a mid-range bite point
- Gears – check for smooth transmission between gears with no crunching or grinding noises
- Steering – does the van steer well, with the steering wheel able to make full turns without complaining?
- Alignment – on a straight road, does the van drift at all? (it shouldn’t!)
- Exhaust – look out for excessive smoke and listen for any strange noises from inside and outside the van
- Does it generally feel good to drive?
- Look out for any unusual noises – grinding, clanking, ticking or knocking.
Finally, make sure you ask lots of questions to the seller and look out for any evasive or untrustworthy behaviour.
Finalising your van purchase
When you’ve completed all your checks and decide you’ve found your perfect van, all that’s left to do is make the deal!
If you’ve noticed any issues or discrepancies against the listing that aren’t serious enough to put you off, it’s worth discussing these with the seller and coming in with an offer below the listing price. We got $1000 off the asking price for some really minor cosmetic issues and a missing fridge!
For private sellers, cash and bank transfer are the most common methods of payment. We used Wise to transfer the funds,
Make sure the seller gives you a sale receipt and hands over all paperwork (service history, rego, RWC) before you drive off!
Post-purchase: things to do
Once you’ve exchanged on the van and you’ve got the keys in your hand, it’s time to start road tripping! But, before you do, there are a few things you’ll need to do to get everything in order…
Registration transfer
The process and terminology may differ slightly state to state, but a registration (rego) transfer process is usually relatively straightforward. With our purchase in New South Wales, the owner was required to submit a notice of disposal, then we went to a NSW Service Centre to complete the rego. (you can also do this online but we had to go there to sort our Aussie driving licenses anyway!)
Insurance
In New South Wales, third party insurance is a compulsory part of registration – however, we took out an additional fully comprehensive policy to make sure
Toll tag
Some roads in Australia may be subject to tolls, especially around major urban areas. You can usually avoid these by taking slightly longer routes, but if you’re likely to be using toll roads, a Linkt tag offers automated payments.
Roadside assistance
Roadside isn’t compulsory, but well worth it for peace of mind.
Final tips before you hit the road
- Make sure you’re prepared for an emergency. Key safety items include: a comprehensive first aid kit, torch, hi vis vests, warning triangle, a jack and spare tyre, jump starter (we used this one), fire extinguisher, fire blanket and smoke alarm.
- If you’re travelling long distances in rural locations, I’d also recommend a fuel jerry can.
- To keep our van extra secure, we picked up a steering wheel lock.
- We also had a second key cut so we’d have one each, just in case we lost the main key.
- There are some great resources out there for van life in Australia. We used PetrolSpy and CamperMate on the regular. The VanLife Australia group on Facebook is also a helpful resource for general van questions and van travel advice.
- Planning for resale: It may be a long time away, but make sure you allow enough time to sell your vehicle at the end of your trip. We had around 5 weeks to sell ours, and still felt rushed!
Conclusion
Pouring my (frankly, quite minimal) life savings into a van in Australia was one of the scariest thing I’ve ever done. And also the most rewarding. If you’re buying through a private sale without the safety net of a dealership, it’s especially important not to rush into the decision and make sure you’re 100% comfortable before handing over the cash.
The most important thing when purchasing a used camper van is to take your time – allow yourself as much time checking out vehicles as you need, and don’t feel pressured into a purchase by pushy buyers. Make sure you do your research properly, check any potential purchases over fully, and don’t be afraid to walk away if something doesn’t feel right.
Now you’ve got your wheels sorted, you can get planning your road trip! Check out my one month East Coast road trip guide for an amazing Sydney to Cairns adventure!
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