Coast Hopper
Toyota Hiace high-roof van conversion
- Seats
- 3
- Sleeps
- 3
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- Outdoor
- Transmission
- Automatic
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Awesome Campers review
Awesome Campers builds its Australian rental range around compact van conversions, with a high-roof option for more living space.
Profile reviewed and updated on
Background
Company overview
Operating since 2006, Awesome Campers is a family-owned Australian rental company. It takes bookings directly and through travel agents, with rentals contracted through Awesome Van & Camper Hire Pty Ltd.
Its offer centres on converted Toyota and Nissan vans. The range combines established two-person conversions with newer fit-outs, including the high-roof Coast Hopper. Collection points connect the east coast with Melbourne and Adelaide, giving the business a focus on mainland journeys between those cities.
Our verdict
Editorial review
Awesome Campers offers a focused way into van travel, with recognisable differences between its older conversions and the more recently fitted vehicles. The useful choice is how much space and independence from a powered campsite the trip needs. That gives the range more substance than a list of similar two-berth vans, although its options remain concentrated on small travelling parties.
The rental agreement needs just as much attention as the vehicle choice. Restrictions on rural night driving, unsealed roads and ferry journeys can determine whether an itinerary works at all. Protection upgrades also need to be weighed against the damage that remains outside cover. A straightforward campsite itinerary is an easier match than a trip built around late arrivals or remote access roads.
Good points
- Refrigeration choices for different stopping patterns.Buddy's solar-powered fridge gives travellers an alternative to the powered-site arrangements of Compact and Sun Chaser. The distinction matters on a trip that mixes powered and unpowered campsites.
- A high-roof option within a compact-focused range.Coast Hopper adds a high roof, an 85-litre fridge, a 50-litre water supply and an awning. It provides a meaningful step up in onboard facilities without requiring a switch to a coachbuilt motorhome.
- Unlimited kilometres.The rental includes unlimited kilometres, so distance does not create an additional mileage bill. Route restrictions and any one-way charges remain separate considerations.
Things to consider
- Rural evenings are off limits for driving.Driving outside built-up areas is prohibited from 18:00 to 06:00, regardless of the protection option. Plan any driving outside built-up areas between 06:00 and 18:00, including the onward journey after a late flight arrival.
- Zero excess has important boundaries.Even Fast Track for drivers aged 25 and over leaves several parts of the vehicle outside cover, including the roof, underbody, awning and air conditioning. A zero bond and zero stated excess do not remove all potential repair costs.
- Mixed reports about condition and problem resolution.A small sample of customer experiences from July 2025 to January 2026 includes recurring complaints about vehicle or equipment condition and the handling of problems. Other customers describe good communication and helpful support, including an issue-free month in a Buddy. These accounts show mixed experiences; they do not establish how often a problem occurs across the fleet.
Vehicle categories
Awesome Campers fleet
Buddy
Nissan Elgrand van conversion
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Compact Camper
Toyota Estima sleeper conversion
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Sun Chaser
Nissan Elgrand van conversion
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
The fleet consists of four automatic van conversions, with three two-berth options and the larger three-berth Coast Hopper. Bedding, towels, kitchen utensils, curtains and storage are included across the range.
Compact Camper and Sun Chaser have fit-outs dating from 2012–2015. Both carry 10 litres of water and a 40-litre fridge, with inverter power while driving and a 240 V campsite connection for refrigeration when parked overnight. The sleeping layouts differ: Compact Camper has a bed measuring 1.4 × 1.9 metres, while Sun Chaser's is 1.7 × 1.9 metres. Sun Chaser also has a dining table in selected vehicles.
Buddy's 2024–2025 fit-out adds a solar-powered 40-litre fridge, 25 litres of water and Bluetooth. Its 1.7 × 1.9-metre bed gives it the same stated bed dimensions as Sun Chaser, so the main distinction is the equipment and power arrangement rather than extra sleeping capacity.
Coast Hopper uses a Toyota Hiace base described as 2018 or newer, with a 2026 fit-out. Its high roof, larger fridge and water supply, exterior shower and 2.5-metre awning make it the most extensively equipped category in this range. Rear air conditioning is available on a 240 V connection; do not plan on running it away from mains power.
Fit-out dates describe the conversion, not the age of every base vehicle. Equipment and vehicles may vary within a category, and the rental agreement allows a free upgrade to a higher category. The photographs do not guarantee a particular van.
Locations
Awesome Campers pickup locations
Open each country to see its pickup locations.
Australia
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Adelaide 20 Salvador Street, Flagstaff Hill, SA 5159
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Brisbane
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Cairns 15 Douglas Street, Manunda, QLD 4870
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Melbourne 45 Bond Street, Ringwood, VIC 3134
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Sydney 9A Mulyan Street, Como, NSW 2226
Before booking
Practical facts
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Booking charges | Under the rental contract dated 11 September 2026, the mandatory administration and preparation fee is AUD 90 per booking, including relocations. A direct booking requires an AUD 250 advance payment towards the hire, separate from the security bond. Both the pickup and return calendar dates are charged. |
| Kilometres and tax | Unlimited kilometres and 10% GST are included. There is no credit-card surcharge. |
| Standard protection and bond | Standard has no additional daily protection charge and requires an AUD 5,000 security bond. A bond is refundable security, not an extra rental fee or a statement of the maximum possible liability. |
| Halfway protection | For drivers aged 21 and over, Halfway costs AUD 35 per day, with an AUD 500 bond and AUD 500 ordinary damage liability per claim. The single-vehicle excess is AUD 5,000 per claim. Tyres, the front windscreen and an extra driver are not included in this option. |
| Fast Track protection | Fast Track costs AUD 45 per day. Drivers aged 21–24 have an AUD 500 bond, AUD 500 ordinary damage liability per claim and AUD 1,500 single-vehicle excess per claim. For drivers aged 25 and over, those three amounts are zero. Cover includes one front windscreen, up to four tyres per booking and an extra driver, subject to the agreement's exclusions. |
| Damage outside protection | Every protection option excludes roof, side and rear windows, rear panels, sunroofs, underbody, awnings and air-conditioning damage. Full repair costs can remain payable. Single-vehicle rollover or write-off and breaches of the agreement can void cover; an excess is payable when a claim is reported regardless of fault, with reimbursement dependent on successful recovery. |
| Bond payment and return | Bonds can be paid in cash or secured by card. Card funds must be available 24 hours before pickup for the pre-authorisation. After a clean, undamaged return to the correct depot, the bond is returned within 14 business days; a damage claim can delay release. Cash bonds are refunded by bank transfer, with bank costs paid by the hirer. |
| Driver eligibility | The minimum age is 21. Provisional or probationary licences are accepted; learner licences are not. A non-English licence requires an official translation or an International Driving Permit. International licence holders must also supply their original passport with at least six months' validity. |
| Roads | The vans are two-wheel drive. Unsealed and gravel roads, beaches, sand, fire trails, paddocks and off-road terrain are prohibited. The narrow exception is an access road under 3 km to a recognised commercial campground; damage and towing exposure still apply. Additional restrictions may be imposed at pickup. |
| Night driving | Driving outside built-up areas is prohibited between 18:00 and 06:00 under every protection option. The agreement defines built-up areas by a speed limit of 60 km/h or less and regular street lighting; if in doubt, it treats the area as outside that definition. |
| Island travel | Tasmania and Kangaroo Island require advance notice and an insurer form. Ferry-related problems can leave the hirer responsible for towing to the nearest depot regardless of fault. Other sand islands are prohibited. |
| Collection and transfers | All five pickup locations are off-airport. Transfers are not included in the rental price. Cairns and Sydney offer contactless collection and return; collection or return outside normal hours requires prior arrangement and costs AUD 110. |
| One-way rentals | Routes and direction affect charges. As agent-channel examples, Sydney to Cairns carries an AUD 295 one-way fee and the reverse direction AUD 0; Melbourne to Adelaide is AUD 500 and Adelaide to Melbourne AUD 150. These are agent-facing route examples, not direct-booking quotes or total hire prices. |
| Extra drivers and equipment | The individual add-on offer lists an extra driver at AUD 25 per hire and a side awning at AUD 50 per hire. Fast Track already includes an extra driver. Four gas canisters cost AUD 14 and a mini lantern AUD 5 as fixed-fee extras. |
| Changes and early return | Changes depend on availability and may be priced at new rates. Shortening a hire within 14 business days of pickup is treated as cancellation of the removed portion. An ordinary late pickup or early return does not earn an unused-day refund, subject to non-excludable consumer rights. |
| Return condition | Return the van with the recorded pickup fuel level and in the required clean condition. Inadequate cleaning incurs AUD 150; smoking incurs a further AUD 150. Low fuel incurs AUD 10 plus the fuel cost. An unapproved late return costs AUD 100 per day in addition to the rent. |
| Pets and smoking | Animals are prohibited. Smoking and vaping are also prohibited in or around the van. |
| Assistance and faults | RACQ national roadside membership accompanies the hire. Awesome Campers' assistance line operates daily from 09:00 to 19:00. Report problems within 24 hours; equipment faults follow a separate process from mechanical breakdowns, with repairs through an authorised depot. Hirer-error and nonmechanical callouts may cost extra. |
| Vehicle care | Daily oil, water and battery checks are required. Engine or drivetrain repairs up to AUD 100 may be reimbursed with receipts when the hirer is not at fault; larger repairs require prior approval. Cooking inside the cabin is prohibited. |
Quick answers
Awesome Campers FAQ
Which Awesome Campers vans need a powered campsite for the fridge?
Compact Camper and Sun Chaser use a 240 V campsite connection to run their fridges while parked overnight. Buddy has solar-powered refrigeration. Choose the category around the stops you expect to make, rather than assuming every van has the same power arrangement.
Does Fast Track remove the bond for every driver?
No. At AUD 45 per day, Fast Track removes the bond for drivers aged 25 and over. Drivers aged 21–24 still have an AUD 500 bond and AUD 1,500 single-vehicle excess per claim. Excluded damage can remain payable in either age band.
Can I drive an Awesome Campers van after 18:00?
Only within the agreement's definition of a built-up area. Outside those areas, the ban runs from 18:00 to 06:00 and applies regardless of protection cover. A late arrival at a city depot does not permit a night drive on rural roads to the first campsite.
Can I take the van to Tasmania or Kangaroo Island?
Yes, with advance notice and completion of the insurer form. Ferry-related problems can still leave you paying for towing to the nearest depot, regardless of fault. This permission does not extend to other sand islands.
Can I collect at the airport?
Awesome Campers' five collection locations are off-airport, and airport transfers are not included. Cairns and Sydney offer contactless collection, but you still need to reach the depot and arrange any outside-hours pickup in advance.
Does Awesome Campers accept provisional licences?
Yes, drivers aged at least 21 can use a provisional or probationary licence. Learner licences are excluded. If the licence is not in English, an official translation or International Driving Permit is also required.
Are pets allowed in an Awesome Campers van?
No. The rental agreement prohibits animals in the vehicles, so this range does not suit a trip with a pet.
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