Panel van camper
Paradise Family 5
- Seats
- 5
- Sleeps
- 5
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Rental company field guide
Camperman Australia review
A Toyota Hiace campervan specialist with high-roof layouts for Australian road trips.
Profile reviewed and updated on
Background
Company overview
Camperman Australia operates campervan rentals through Camperman Australia Group Pty Ltd, with its head office in Cairns. The contracting company has held an active Australian Business Number since 1 October 2004. Its business combines ordinary holiday rentals with a separate relocation service that moves vehicles between locations on set schedules.
Our verdict
Editorial review
Camperman's appeal rests on making a relatively focused campervan range serve different kinds of trip. The choice deserves more attention than the berth number alone: transmission, the way beds are arranged and permitted travel territory can all change between categories. Choosing around those details gives a clearer picture of the rental than treating every Hiace as interchangeable.
The ordinary rental includes useful basics, but the financial proposition still needs to be read in layers. Booking charges, the security payment and responsibility for damage perform different jobs; the standard excess does not make every incident a limited-cost event. Camperman is most convincing when the chosen category and approved journey match closely, with less scope for spontaneous changes to roads, handover arrangements or return location.
Good points
- Distance and additional drivers are included.Ordinary rentals include unlimited kilometres and additional drivers without a surcharge. Each driver must still be approved, and the route restrictions remain in force.
- A useful starting kit.Bedding, basic cooking equipment, utensils, a power cable and a water hose are included with ordinary rentals, reducing what needs to be arranged separately before departure.
- Some one-way journeys carry no route surcharge.Maxie 4 and Juliette offers include approved one-way combinations between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns without an additional one-way fee, subject to the booking and available vehicles.
Things to consider
- Road access is restrictive.Unsealed roads are prohibited, including gravel and dirt surfaces. That can rule out a campsite approach as well as an off-road excursion; a short unsealed access road has no general exemption.
- Five seats do not mean five indoor beds.Paradise Family 5 carries five people, but one must sleep outside. The supplied tent makes this a materially different proposition from a vehicle with five indoor berths.
- Exceptions to the standard damage terms matter.Roof, underbody and immersion damage sit outside ordinary cover, as do serious breaches of the agreement. The AUD 500 standard excess is not a ceiling on all financial exposure.
- Handover times need to fit the journey.Standard Saturday pickup ends at 11:00, while Sunday, public-holiday and other exceptional arrangements require advance written approval. Airport transfers are not included.
Vehicle categories
Camperman Australia fleet
Panel van camper
Maxie 4 Deluxe Shower/Toilet
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Panel van camper
Maxie 3 HighTop
- Seats
- 3
- Sleeps
- 3
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Manual or automatic
Panel van camper
Juliette 2–3 HighTop
“Not stated” means the category's equipment description does not specify that facility. Maxie 3 and Juliette bookings can be for two or three people; a two-person configuration does not establish a third seat or bed. Paradise Family 5 includes a tent and mattresses when five people travel.
- Seats
- 3
- Sleeps
- 3
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Manual
The fleet is built around Toyota Hiace campervans with fixed high roofs, ranging from two-person configurations to a five-seat family layout. These are used vehicle categories, and bookings do not guarantee a particular registration, model year or interior finish. A recent interior fit-out should not be read as the age of the chassis.
For a bathroom inside the vehicle, Maxie 4 is the clear choice in this range. Its two double beds measure approximately 2.00 × 1.30 m below and 2.10 × 1.30 m above; the stated upper-bed limit is 200 kg combined. It has a 50-litre fresh-water tank and an 80-litre fridge. The Maxie 4 technical specification describes hot water operating with the engine running; confirm how the system works in the assigned vehicle at handover. The water capacity is worth considering alongside the shower, particularly when several people share the vehicle.
Paradise Family 5 also uses two double beds, with a wider lower bed of approximately 2.00 × 1.74 m and an upper bed of 2.00 × 1.37 m. The upper bed's stated 200 kg limit applies to the occupants together. Its five travel positions include two three-point belts and three lap belts. Two rear child-seat anchor points are specified, but anchors alone do not establish compatibility with a particular restraint.
Maxie 3 and Juliette put all travel seats in the front. Their three-person layouts add a single upper berth with a 90 kg limit, above a lower double bed; the third travel position includes a lap belt. Juliette is manual, while a Maxie 3 booking may receive a manual or automatic vehicle. Both carry 20 litres of cold fresh water; the fridge is larger in Maxie 3, at 80 litres versus Juliette's 55 litres.
Cooking and power arrangements also shape how these vans work on a trip. The range includes basic kitchen equipment, while the microwave and 240 V outlets need a suitable external mains connection. A second battery does not power those appliances independently. Air conditioning serves the cab while the engine is running; it is not an independent cooling system for the living area.
Locations
Camperman Australia pickup locations
Open each country to see its pickup locations.
Australia
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Airlie Beach 1/384 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
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Brisbane 2/86 Yarraman Place, Virginia QLD 4014
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Cairns 440 Sheridan Street, Cairns North QLD 4870
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Melbourne 273 Elizabeth Street, Coburg VIC 3058
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Sydney 23–25 Erskine Road, Caringbah NSW 2229
Before booking
Practical facts
The policies, inclusions and booking details that are specific to a Camperman Australia rental.
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Rental terms covered here | The ordinary-rental conditions below describe Camperman's direct offer and its May 2026 rental agreement. Bookings through an intermediary may have a different payment schedule or additional booking terms. Relocations follow the separate conditions described below. |
| Driver eligibility | Ordinary-rental drivers must be 18–85 with at least 12 months of driving experience, unless Camperman grants a written exception. Bring the original valid driving licence and a passport where required. A non-English licence needs an official translation or International Driving Permit alongside the original. All drivers must be registered and approved. |
| Minimum rental and day counting | The standard direct-rental minimum is five days. Both the pickup date and return date count as rental days, rather than the rental being measured only in 24-hour periods. |
| Booking and payment | Direct confirmation requires a 20% advance payment and acceptance by email. The balance is due at pickup. A physical card and the main cardholder must be present; a third-party card requires signed authorization. |
| Administration charge | The ordinary-rental administration charge is AUD 180 per reservation. Camperman also manages toll administration; use the booking's itemized breakdown to establish what this covers. |
| Security payment | AUD 500 is charged to the main holder's card for an ordinary rental. This is a refundable security payment, with refund normally taking 5–10 business days when there are no incidents or outstanding charges. It is an actual debit, rather than only a card hold. |
| Damage responsibility | The standard excess is AUD 500 per accident or claim unless the agreement specifies otherwise. It is separate from the security payment and does not cap excluded damage or all other liabilities. Exclusions include roof and underbody damage, immersion, serious breaches, unauthorized drivers and specified keys or accessories. For single-vehicle incidents, the terms contain both excess-related and full-liability wording. Obtain written confirmation of the applicable excess, any additional security and claims administration charges. |
| Windscreen and tyre option | Optional protection costs AUD 100 per ordinary rental and must be purchased before departure. It provides a zero excess for the front windscreen and four mounted tyres within its terms; the spare tyre and other windows are excluded. |
| One-way rentals | Approved Maxie 4 and Juliette combinations between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns can have a zero one-way surcharge. An Airlie Beach pickup or return adds AUD 250 once per rental, including when both ends are Airlie Beach; it is included in the final booking price. Returning to a different location without written approval can incur AUD 1,500 plus applicable downtime or rental days. |
| Permitted territory | Maxie 2–3 and Maxie 4 can travel Australia-wide subject to road, daylight and island restrictions. Juliette and Paradise Family rentals are limited to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Obtain explicit approval for travel to the Australian Capital Territory; it is not part of the stated three-state permission. |
| Roads and islands | Unsealed gravel or dirt roads, off-road driving, beaches, snow-risk areas, floodwater and unsafe or closed roads are prohibited. All islands require prior written approval, including Tasmania. |
| Driving after dark | Ordinary Maxie 3 and Maxie 4 rentals must stay within daylight hours in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Relocations have a separate dusk-to-dawn prohibition in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. |
| Children and restraints | Child seats and boosters are prohibited in Maxie 3 and Juliette. Maxie 4 and Paradise Family specify rear anchor points, but the particular restraint and vehicle must be compatible. Arrange written confirmation of both compatibility and who will supply and install the restraint before booking. |
| Pickup and return appointments | Standard pickup is Monday–Friday 10:00–15:00 and Saturday 09:00–11:00; return is Monday–Friday 08:00–15:00 and Saturday 08:00–11:00, in local time. Use the confirmed appointment and voucher access instructions. Complete online check-in at least seven days ahead when possible; last-minute bookings follow specific instructions. Airport transfers are not included. |
| Exceptional handovers and delays | Approved after-hours, unattended, Sunday or public-holiday pickup costs AUD 110 per pickup and requires advance written agreement. Staff waiting because of a customer delay costs AUD 110 per hour or part-hour. An unauthorized late return costs AUD 150 plus the applicable daily rental charge. With an approved after-hours return, responsibility continues until staff inspect and accept the vehicle. |
| Cancellation of an ordinary direct booking | At least 30 days before pickup: AUD 200. Between 7 and 29 days: 50% of the rental price. Between 1 and 6 days: 75%. On pickup day or for a no-show: 100%. Cancellation takes effect when confirmed by Camperman. Voluntary early return does not ordinarily earn credit for unused days. |
| Fuel on return | Return the vehicle with petrol at the level recorded at pickup. The supplied gas cylinder is not guaranteed to be full and may be returned empty. |
| Cleaning on return | Excessive interior dirt can incur AUD 150, excessive exterior dirt AUD 75, and an unemptied or unclean toilet cassette AUD 150. Normal dust is not treated as excessive dirt. |
| Optional camping equipment | An outdoor chair costs AUD 10 per chair per rental; a table costs AUD 20 per table per rental, subject to stock. An extra blanket or sleeping bag costs AUD 15 per item, as does an extra pillow with cover. Standard bedding remains included in an ordinary rental. |
| Roadside assistance | A national mechanical roadside arrangement operates 24/7. Camperman's own helpline operates 08:00–21:00 daily. Customer-caused call-outs, such as lost keys, a battery discharged through use or wrong fuel, cost AUD 110 plus actual costs. Report failures immediately and obtain approval before repairs or towing. |
| Pets | Pets require prior written approval; registered assistance animals have separate conditions. |
| Smoking | Smoking and vaping are prohibited inside the vehicle. |
| Relocation essentials | Relocations have a fixed route and time allowance, are restricted to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, and prohibit driving from dusk to dawn. They require an AUD 2,000 card preauthorization and an AUD 70 non-refundable administration charge. Bedding is optional at AUD 55 per person. These are separate from the ordinary-rental amounts above. |
More about the company
Explore Camperman Australia
Relocation rentals
Camperman's relocation service moves a vehicle between locations on a defined schedule. The reduced-price concept works only when the available route and permitted travel time fit the journey: it does not provide the flexibility of an ordinary holiday rental.
The security hold requires a physical card belonging to the main renter. Virtual cards, digital wallets, prepaid cards and third-party cards are not accepted for this product. Basic cooking equipment, a cable and a hose are provided, but the vehicle may not have received full detailing before the move. Equipment being transferred between locations must stay in the vehicle.
Fuel support applies only when the individual offer includes it. Reimbursement depends on receipts and the authorized allowance; it should not be treated as free fuel for the whole trip. Customer cancellation carries an AUD 100 fee. The relocation terms do not guarantee alternative transport or accommodation after a breakdown, without removing non-excludable rights under Australian Consumer Law.
Quick answers
Camperman Australia FAQ
Can five people sleep inside Paradise Family 5?
No. It has five travel seats but four indoor sleeping places in two double beds. A tent and mattresses are supplied when five people travel, so the fifth person sleeps outside. That arrangement needs to suit both the group and its overnight stops.
Which Camperman category has a shower and toilet?
Maxie 4 Deluxe Shower/Toilet has an internal hot-and-cold shower and a cassette toilet. Its fresh-water tank holds 50 litres. The category's technical specification describes hot water with the engine running, so confirm the system's operation in the assigned vehicle at handover.
Is a Maxie 3 booking guaranteed to be automatic?
No. Maxie 3 includes manual and automatic vehicles. Maxie 4 and Paradise Family 5 are automatic categories; Juliette 2–3 is manual. An essential transmission requirement needs written confirmation in the booking.
Does Maxie 3 or Juliette always have a third bed?
No. Both can be booked in two- or three-person configurations. A three-person booking needs the matching third travel seat and upper single bed, which has a stated 90 kg limit. Do not rely on the category name to establish the assigned layout.
Can children who need a child seat travel in any Camperman van?
No. Maxie 3 and Juliette do not permit child seats or boosters. Paradise Family 5 and Maxie 4 specify rear anchor points, but the restraint still needs to match the vehicle. Confirm compatibility and supply arrangements in writing before committing to either category.
Can a Juliette rental travel beyond Australia's east coast?
Its ordinary-rental permission covers Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It does not grant Australia-wide travel or automatically include the Australian Capital Territory. Maxie categories have wider territorial permission, but still have road, daylight and island restrictions.
Can a Camperman Maxie go to Tasmania?
Tasmania falls within the broader Maxie travel territory, but every island visit still requires prior written approval. Agree the island and ferry arrangements before booking. Maxie driving in Tasmania is restricted to daylight hours.
Does a return trip from Airlie Beach incur the AUD 250 charge twice?
No. The Airlie Beach charge applies once per ordinary rental when pickup, return or both take place there. The AUD 250 is included in the final booking price.
Is Camperman's AUD 500 security payment just a card hold?
For an ordinary rental, it is charged to the main holder's card, with a refund normally due in 5–10 business days if no incident or outstanding charge prevents it. Relocations instead require an AUD 2,000 preauthorization. Neither figure should be read as a universal damage-liability limit.
Is bedding included in a Camperman relocation?
It is a separate optional extra at AUD 55 per person. Ordinary rentals include bedding, but that inclusion does not carry over to relocations. Using relocation bedding without having paid for it can still result in a charge.
Is Camperman's own support line open all night?
Its helpline operates from 08:00 to 21:00 every day. The separate national mechanical roadside arrangement operates 24/7. Obtain the correct out-of-hours contact details at handover.
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