Best Pet-Friendly Campervan Hire Companies in Australia

Not all pet friendly campervan hire is created equal. For some companies it means dogs are welcome in any vehicle, no questions asked. For others it means dogs are allowed in a handful of nominated vans, or only once the office has signed off on your booking. And in a few cases it simply means the company will not stop you, as long as you return the van clean and cover any extra cleaning.

The practical upshot for families: always check the current policy with the company, or with us, before you book. Pet rules are one of the things providers update regularly, so the version you read in a forum post from two years ago may not match what applies today. A quick confirmation up front means the van you collect is the van you planned for.

One quick note on wording. Most policies are written with dogs in mind, so “dog friendly campervan hire” and “pet friendly campervan hire” usually mean the same thing. If you are travelling with a cat or another animal rather than a dog, confirm it directly, as a dog friendly policy may not stretch to every pet.

There are two broad types of provider in the Australian market, and the difference explains most of the variation you will see.

The first is the fleet operator. These are the big names that own their own vans and motorhomes, the ones you see lined up at the depots near airports. Because they manage every vehicle themselves, their pet policy tends to be a single company-wide rule: pets are either allowed across the fleet, allowed in certain models, or not at all. It is consistent, which makes it easy to plan around once you know the rule.

The second is the marketplace, where individual van owners list their vehicles for hire and set their own conditions. On these platforms, whether you can bring your dog depends on the specific listing and the owner behind it. Two vans on the same site, in the same city, can have completely different pet rules. That flexibility can work in your favour, but it does mean reading each listing carefully rather than assuming the platform itself is pet friendly.

If you would rather skip the legwork, this is exactly the kind of thing our team sorts out for you. We know which suppliers genuinely welcome pets and we will only put forward vans that match what you need. You can read more about how campervan hire works if you are new to the process.

This is the part most people want pinned down, so here is how it usually breaks down.

Some companies allow pets at no extra charge. Others apply a pet fee per booking, or hold a slightly higher bond to cover any additional cleaning. Almost all of them, fee or not, expect the van returned in the same condition you collected it: no hair through the bedding, no muddy paw prints across the seats. A standard return clean is normal, but heavier cleaning to remove pet hair or odour can be charged on top, so a quick vacuum and wipe-down before drop-off is well worth the effort.

A few practical pointers that keep costs predictable:

• Confirm whether the pet fee is per booking or per night, as it changes the maths on a longer trip.
• Check what the bond covers and how quickly it is returned.
• Ask whether bedding and upholstery have any specific cleaning conditions.

For the bigger picture on what a trip costs, our guide on how much it costs to hire a motorhome in Australia is a useful read, and it is worth understanding your cover too, which we cover in the campervan hire insurance guide.

Even with a pet friendly company, a few conditions can apply. Knowing them in advance keeps the planning smooth.

• Size or breed: some vans suit smaller dogs better, and a handful of policies set limits.
• Number of pets: if you are travelling with more than one dog, confirm it is allowed.
• Vehicle type: pets may be welcome in some models but not others within the same fleet.
• Travel area: certain providers limit where vehicles can go, which matters for remote routes.
• Where you stop: holiday parks, campsites and national parks each have their own pet rules, separate from the hire company.

That last point is the one people forget. The hire company says yes to your dog, but the campsite or park you are heading to might have its own policy. We will come back to that below.

The right van depends on your dog as much as your family. A small dog is happy curling up in a compact two-berth, but a larger or older dog needs more floor space, easy step access, and good airflow. Short-nosed breeds, like pugs and bulldogs, feel the heat more than most, so air conditioning and ventilation move up the priority list for them.

For families, there is a balancing act: enough room for the kids to spread out, enough room for the dog to settle, and a layout that works at bedtime. A larger campervan or a small motorhome often hits the sweet spot, giving everyone their own corner without stepping over each other. Pet friendly motorhome hire is worth considering here if you want that extra space.

If you are weighing up sizes and layouts, our guide on how to find the best camper for your road trip walks through the options. Or tell us about your crew, dog included, and we will match you to something that fits.

If you are still deciding whether a camper is the way to go, travelling with a dog actually tips the scales in its favour.

With a campervan, your dog stays in one familiar space the whole trip rather than adjusting to a new room every night. You are not hunting down a pet friendly hotel in each town, or paying the premium they often charge. Mealtimes, water bowls and rest stops happen on your schedule, not the hotel’s. And when the kids and the dog all need to burn off some energy, you can pull up somewhere with a bit of grass and let everyone stretch their legs.

It is a more relaxed way to travel as a family, with fewer moving parts to manage. Our overview of everything you need to know about travelling by campervan covers the rest of the basics if you are new to van life.

Here is the honest bit, because it shapes your route. Australia has plenty of dog friendly spots, but it also has places where dogs are not permitted, and most of them are the ones you might assume are fine.

As a general rule, dogs are not allowed in national parks, and many conservation and wildlife areas have the same restriction to protect native species. Plenty of beaches, towns and campsites are very welcoming, but the rules differ from one council and one park to the next. The trick is to plan your stops around dog friendly spots and have a backup for the days you visit a no-dogs attraction.

A few resources to help you map it out:

• The best places to spot wildlife in Australia, so you know which protected areas to plan around.
• The free camping Australia guide, which is handy for finding relaxed, dog friendly overnight spots.
• Our rundown of campervan parking rules in Australia, so you know where you can settle for the night.

If you are heading somewhere remote, an outback road trip is very doable with a dog, just plan your water, shade and fuel stops carefully.

A few simple habits keep everyone comfortable on the road:

• Keep the van cool: never leave your dog in a parked vehicle on a warm day, even briefly. Plan stops where they can come with you or stay in the shade with you nearby.
• Bring their own bedding: a familiar blanket helps a dog settle into the van faster.
• Pack waste bags and a water bowl: simple, easy to forget, makes every stop smoother.
• Build in leg-stretch stops: roughly every couple of hours suits most dogs and most kids too, which keeps the driving days easy.
• Keep the van tidy: a quick daily sweep means hair never builds up, and drop-off is painless.

Our full campervan packing list has the rest of the essentials, and timing your trip well helps too, which is where our guide to the best times to travel in Australia comes in.

Pet policies change often, vary by vehicle, and sometimes shift season to season, so a fixed list of rules dates quickly. The clearer way to compare your options is by the type of provider, since that tells you what to expect. We confirm the current terms for your exact dates before you book, so you are always working from the latest information rather than an old forum thread.

The fleet brands that welcome pets

A handful of well-known fleet brands allow pets on selected vehicles, which gives you fairly consistent rules and a good range of vehicle sizes to choose from, from compact campers to family-sized motorhomes.

• THL is the group behind Britz, Maui, Mighty and Apollo.
• JUCY and Star RV sit under the Travvia group.
• Travellers Autobarn, an independent brand with value-focused campers.

Across these brands you can expect a standard pet cleaning fee, usually around $250 to $300, charged to cover a deeper clean after your trip. For families, the upside is space: a larger camper or motorhome gives everyone room to settle, dog included.

Good for: more space, motorhome options, and consistent rules across the range. Worth knowing: pets are usually welcome on selected vehicles rather than every model, and the pet cleaning fee applies. Confirm the current fee for your travel dates.

Marketplaces like Camplify

Marketplaces such as Camplify list vans from individual owners, which means pet policies, fees and conditions vary from one listing to the next. You might find a very pet friendly van, or you might find one that does not take dogs at all, sometimes side by side on the same page. If you go this route, read each listing’s pet terms carefully and confirm directly with the owner before booking, as there is no single company-wide rule to fall back on.

Good for: the widest variety of vans in one place. Worth knowing: pet terms are set per listing, so check each one.

Which option suits your trip

Rather than a single winner, here is a quick steer based on what matters most for your trip.

• Want the most room for the kids and a larger dog? Look at a motorhome from one of the pet friendly fleet brands, and factor the pet cleaning fee into your budget.
• After the widest choice of pet friendly vans? Marketplaces list the most variety, just check each listing’s pet terms before you book.
• Short on time, or not sure where to start? Send us your dates and we will do the comparison for you and confirm the current pet terms.

Your pre-booking checklist

Before you lock in a pet friendly campervan, run through this quick list:

• Pet policy confirmed in writing for your travel dates
• Any pet fee, bond or cleaning condition understood
• Vehicle size suits your dog and your family
• Good airflow or air conditioning, especially for warmer trips or short-nosed breeds
• Pickup location works for your route
• Campsites and parks on your route checked for their own pet rules
• Insurance and cover understood
• Bedding, bowls, lead and waste bags packed

Can you hire a campervan with a dog in Australia?

Yes. A growing number of companies offer pet friendly campervan hire across Australia, with policies ranging from dogs welcome as standard to dogs allowed on request. The comparison above shows who allows what, and we can match you to a van that suits your dog and your trip.

Do pet friendly campervan hire companies charge extra fees?

Some do and some do not. A pet cleaning fee per booking, often around $250 to $300, or a slightly higher bond is common, mainly to cover the deeper clean afterwards. Returning the van clean and free of hair usually keeps costs to the standard return clean.

Can I take a dog in a motorhome hire vehicle?

Yes, pet friendly motorhome hire is available too, and the extra space often suits larger dogs and families well. Policies vary by company, so confirm before you book.

Can I pick up a pet friendly campervan in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney or Perth?

In most cases, yes. Pet friendly campervan hire is available across major pickup locations including Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Tasmania, though availability can vary by depot. Tell us your preferred pickup point and we will check what suits.

Are dogs allowed in Australian caravan parks and campsites?

Many are very dog friendly, but rules vary from park to park, so it is worth checking each one when you plan your stops. Plenty of free and low-cost camping spots welcome dogs too.

Can dogs go into national parks in Australia?

As a general rule, dogs are not permitted in national parks, and many wildlife and conservation areas apply the same rule to protect native species. Plan your route around dog friendly stops and keep a backup in mind for any no-dogs attractions.

How do you keep a campervan clean when travelling with a dog?

A quick daily sweep, a blanket over the spot where your dog settles, and a wipe-down before drop-off keep things easy. Returning the van clean and hair-free usually means just the standard return clean applies.

Ready to bring the whole family, dog included?

Travelling with your dog should be one of the easy parts of the trip, not something to figure out on your own. Tell us your travel dates, where you would like to pick up, and a bit about your dog, and we will match you to a campervan that genuinely welcomes pets, sorted for your family. Our service is free and personalised, and if you find a cheaper price for the same booking, we will beat it. With over 3,000 five-star reviews on Google and Facebook, you are in good hands.

Get in touch and we will sort your pet friendly camper