Buy or Rent? The Big Questions when organising your Van Trip in Australia
Whether to buy or rent was a dilemma I personally faced for a long time. However, if you plan to travel for several months, buying a van is the most cost-efficient option. The most popular companies for renting a van are Jucy and Apollo. Rental prices with insurance are quite high, but they save you the hassle of reselling your van and dealing with potential mechanical problems. It’s up to you to decide what suits you best. For shorter road trips of 1 to 3 weeks, I rented cars and stayed in hotels with Budget and Hertz, but for my several-month journey, I opted to buy a van.
Choosing Your Van for your Adventure in Australia
If you’re reading this, it means you’ve decided to buy a van. There are many different makes and models available. Here’s a list to help you choose your future travel companion:
What I Look For:
- A van less than 20 years old
- Less than 150,000 kilometres
- An indoor kitchen (it’s hard to cook in bad/windy weather if the kitchen is at the back of the van)
- A 4×4 if planning to take many unpaved roads (the West Coast has plenty of these)
- A sink and water tanks
- Equipment to keep food cool
What I Avoid:
- European brands, unless the model is exceptional; be aware of the high repair costs for brands like Mercedes or Volkswagen. Australians prefer Toyota or Kia, which are easier and cheaper to repair due to the availability of parts.
- A van with a lot of repairs (always ask to see the mechanical service records)
- A van with many previous owners
- A van that hasn’t had regular oil changes
- A van with leaks
Vehicle Registration in Australia: What you need to know before buying a Van.
Known as “Rego” in Australia, it’s equivalent to the road tax in the UK. The rego identifies your vehicle and includes third-party insurance (covering injuries to other people). This insurance only covers physical injuries, not property damage. You will need additional insurance for comprehensive coverage.
The rego is mandatory and transfers from owner to owner. It must be renewed upon expiration. Australia is a federation of states, and each state has its own rules regarding registration. Make sure you understand the rules of the state where the van is registered before making your final decision.
For example, if you buy a van in Western Australia that’s registered in Victoria, the rules of Victoria apply. Changing the registration state of your vehicle is possible but can be costly. Here are the rules for each state:
New South Wales (RTA)
Victoria (Victoria Roads)
Queensland (Queensland Transport)
South Australia (Transport SA)
Tasmania (DIER)
Western Australia (DPI)
Northern Territory (MVR)
Australian Capital Territory (Rego.act)
Travelling around Australia by van is an incredible adventure filled with freedom and discovery, and I did not regret a single time buying one to explore the country for 4 months.
Whether you choose to buy or rent, make sure to select the right vehicle for your needs and understand the registration requirements. This way, you can enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and diverse experiences Australia has to offer without any worries.
If you have any questions about the process feel free to reach out to me on Instagram and I will gladly help!
