If you have spent any time on the road in the last 20 years, you have probably come across a Wicked campervan. Instantly recognisable, the hired campervans are famous for their bright paintwork and down to earth, sometimes controversial, culture. As a company that will always push the boundaries, they are moving away from bright graphics, and towards a hybrid fleet of simply painted campervans and custom-built 4WD adventure campers.
Wicked Campers is one of the largest campervan hire companies in the world, with locations all around Australia and New Zealand, as well as international offices in the US, Canada, the UK, South Africa and South America. Synonymous with affordable road trips, the company prides itself on delivering ‘The Experience’, providing simple, easy-to-drive vans and 4WD vehicles complete with everything you need.
Founded by John Webb, a mechanic from Ballarat, Wicked Campers has been renting out campervans since 2000 and is predicting a bright future. With an increased interest in exploring our own backyard, Wicked will continue to provide campervans catered to those looking to experience Australia on a budget. Whether it’s a relaxed road trip up the east coast or a 4WD adventure through the Northern Territory, Australia is a playground and Wicked has you covered.
There are so many benefits to hiring a campervan, with flexibility being the most significant one. A trip in a campervan allows you to visit the attractions that interest you, at a pace that suits you. It can provide the ultimate freedom — just think, no more set check-in times or early check-out times, you can stay in one place for as long or as little as you like, and there’s no reason to stay in only one location for the duration of your holiday.
Another major benefit to a campervan is the potential for affordability, especially when you are renting a Wicked camper. Road trips aren’t always cheap — the more stops you make, the more you end up spending. Luckily, Wicked Campers understands that budgeting can be tricky, which is why they keep rates affordable, so you can focus on the memories being made, not on how much you are spending trying to make them. As well as keeping their campers affordable, they offer a 10% price-beat guarantee on their whole range. This way, you can be sure that you are getting the best possible deal. With your mind at rest knowing you aren’t sending yourself broke by going on holiday, you can focus on enjoying your trip.
Planning an epic road trip? Wicked Campers has special rates for long term hires so you can get the most out of your journey no matter what your budget is. Keen to be on the road for an extended period? For longer journeys, buying your own vehicle can be more cost effective than renting, especially if you are travelling for lengthy periods during peak season. With this in mind, Wicked Campers have also made their vehicles available for purchase so you can set off on your adventure free from rental agreements and time constraints.
The Wicked Range
The updated vehicle range begins with the classic Wicked 2-berth vans, painted (or plain of you prefer) campervans that come complete with a kitchen, sink, fridge, bed, camp table, camp chairs, and storage. Then you have the painted 2–3 berths that offer all the camping essentials plus a little more space for an extra person — perfect for couples or friends travelling together. The fleet is topped off by the 4WD range, coming in 2–5 berth variations and fitted out with all the gear you’ll need for an outdoor adventure including rooftop tents, water tanks, solar-charged 12V power, pull-out kitchenette and shower. And just in case you were wondering, a gas cooker, esky, cups, plates and cutlery are supplied in all campers.
So, what do you need to bring to the party? GPS devices are not included in Wicked vehicles, so bring one of your own. You will also need to supply your own linen and pillows, but beyond that, it’s just food, drinks, and any little extras you might need. It’s camping made easy!
Need some wheels to get around town on a quick getaway? Wicked also have some smaller cars available for hire. All cars seat five adults and include manual and automatic options. This company has definitely covered all bases.
Road-testing a Wicked camper
When the Camper/TradeRVs/Caravan World team headed out to the Northern Territory to collaborate with Tourism Central Australia on their Drive Guide, Wicked were kind enough to provide one of their GRIP 2–3 Berth Offroad 4WDs for us to travel in. This beauty sleeps up to five people in two rooftop tents and is super-easy to drive and set up.
We picked up the GRIP 4WD in Alice Springs and drove through the East and West MacDonnell Ranges before dropping it back at Alice Springs airport. Our four-day journey was filled with some amazing scenery and locations, all made possible with the GRIP 4WD.
It’s worth mentioning that even though we were fortunate enough to travel in a 4WD, there are plenty of 2WD-accessible routes and locations in the Red Centre. Luckily, Wicked’s range of vehicles includes 2WD, AWD and 4WD options so no matter what type of adventure you are planning, they have the perfect vehicle pairing for your road trip.
Red Centre Drive Guide
The Red Centre Drive Guide is an easy-to-use compilation of drive routes, camping information, safety advice and local tips that will help make your trip planning that much easier.
It contains 11 itineraries, laying out suggested driving routes that highlight some of the best places to explore throughout the area. Each itinerary includes a route map, information on 2WD and 4WD accessibility, an estimate of the time it will take, and suggestions for things to see and do along the way.
You’ll find essential safety information for four-wheel driving in the Red Centre, a guide to local services, and a handy distance grid on the back cover for planning your drives.
There’s a rundown of some of the best camping spots, a must-see and do checklist, and a number of feature articles to help you get a feel for the region and highlight some experiences you shouldn’t miss. Also scattered throughout the guide are insider tips and hidden gems from locals that will add a little extra to your journey.
A big thank you to Wicked Campers for trusting us with their GRIP 4WD and making our collaboration with TCA’s Drive Guide possible. We can confirm that Wicked were super easy to deal with and the GRIP 4WD was definitely up to the task. If you are planning a road trip and looking for a simple, affordable way to do it — do yourself a favour and check them out. There are so many places to explore in this amazing country, especially if you have a reliable, easy-to-use campervan to get there!
Wicked Campers
Ph: 1800 24 68 69
E: online@wickedcampers.com
W: wickedcampers.com.au
