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How to Travel Australia for Free (or Cheap) with Car Relocations

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Jules Duvaux
Associate - Rooride
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Australia is a vast country, and the best way to explore it is by road. However, renting a car, campervan, or motorhome can be expensive, especially for backpackers and budget travelers.

Luckily, there’s a hidden travel hack that allows you to drive a vehicle for free or for a minimal fee: car and campervan relocations. Even better, by combining this with Rooride, you can share fuel costs or even make money by offering rides to fellow travelers.

If you're planning a budget-friendly Australian road trip, here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Vehicle Relocation & How Does It Work?

Rental car companies face a logistical challenge: their fleets tend to accumulate in cities where demand is low, while other locations run out of available cars.

Instead of paying expensive trucks or trains to move vehicles between branches, rental companies let travelers drive them for free (or almost free) to the needed destination. This is called relocation rentals.

Steps to Get a Free Vehicle in Australia

1️⃣ Find a vehicle 🚗

  • Visit relocation platforms like Transfercar.
  • Choose your departure and destination cities.
  • Check available deals – options include cars, campervans, and motorhomes.

2️⃣ Book the relocation 📅

  • Once you find a suitable deal, submit a request.
  • Some offers include free fuel or even a small travel allowance.
  • Book quickly – these deals are in high demand!

3️⃣ Pick up the car and start driving 🛣️

  • Once confirmed, collect the vehicle from the rental company.
  • Stick to the agreed return date (some companies allow extra days at a low cost).
  • Enjoy the road trip for a fraction of the normal rental cost!

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

To qualify for a relocation rental, you must meet specific conditions set by rental companies. These typically include:

1. Minimum Age Requirement

  • Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 or 25 years old.
  • Some companies allow 18-year-olds, but options are limited.

2. Valid Driver’s License

  • You must have a valid driver’s license for the vehicle you’re renting.
  • International travelers might need an International Driving Permit (IDP).

3. Security Deposit

  • A credit card is required for a security deposit (usually $500 to $2,000 AUD).
  • This deposit is refunded if the vehicle is returned undamaged.
4. Limited Travel Time
  • Rental companies give a specific timeframe to complete the relocation (e.g., Cairns to Brisbane in 5 days).
  • Extra days are sometimes available for a low daily fee.

5. Mileage Restrictions

  • Some relocations come with a limited number of free kilometers.
  • If you exceed the limit, you’ll pay per extra kilometer.

6. Fuel Policy

  • Most relocations are fuel at your own cost, but some companies provide a fuel allowance.
  • Always check the deal details before booking.

How to Reduce Costs Even More: Use Rooride to Share Fuel Costs (or Earn Money!)

The biggest cost when relocating a vehicle is fuel. But with Rooride, you can:

Find travel buddies to split fuel costs
Reduce accommodation expenses by sleeping in a campervan
Even earn extra money by charging for rides

How Rooride Works:

1️⃣ Post Your Trip on Rooride.app and list available seats.
2️⃣ Connect with backpackers looking for a ride on the same route.
3️⃣ Split fuel costs or charge a fee for the ride.
4️⃣ Enjoy an affordable road trip while making new friends!🚀 Example: If you relocate a campervan from Cairns to Brisbane and find three passengers, each person can contribute $50 to $100 AUD. That could cover your entire fuel cost!

Best Relocation Routes in Australia

Some of the most popular relocation routes include:📍 Sydney → Melbourne (850 km) – Easy drive along the coast
📍 Cairns → Brisbane (1,700 km) – Perfect for exploring the Great Barrier Reef
📍 Adelaide → Perth (2,700 km) – A unique outback adventure
📍 Melbourne → Hobart – Combine driving with a ferry tripNew deals are posted daily, so even if your ideal route isn’t available now, set an alert to be notified when it appears.

Why This Is a Game-Changer for Backpackers & Budget Travelers🚗

FREE or ultra-cheap car rentals – Forget expensive rentals, you only pay for fuel.
💰 Save money with Rooride – Share expenses or earn from passengers.
🌍 Ultimate road trip freedom – Travel at your own pace, stopping where you want.
🤝 Meet fellow travelers – Experience the trip with fun new friends.
🔥 Flexible options – Choose from cars, campervans, and motorhomes.

Final Thoughts: The Smartest Way to Road Trip Australia

If you want to explore Australia on a budget, car relocations combined with Rooride is the perfect travel hack. You’ll get a free ride, meet amazing people, and reduce costs to nearly zero.🔹 Step 1: Find a relocation car on Transfercar
🔹 Step 2: Post your trip on Rooride.app
🔹 Step 3: Share fuel costs or earn extra cash
🔹 Step 4: Enjoy an epic low-cost road trip! 🚀

🚘 Check available relocations now and start planning your Australian adventure! 🌏

Jules Duvaux
Jules Duvaux, associate at Rooride, is dedicated to improving travel for backpackers in Australia. His focus is on helping create a seamless and affordable carpooling experience for travelers.

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