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You can travel for leisure within the state if you're a resident of most of regional and rural New South Wales. However, most urban areas have travel restrictions while stay-at-home orders are in place, so the destinations you can travel to may be limited.
Lockdowns continue for Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour. They are off-limits to travellers unless you have an exemption.
We're covering what else you need to know to safely travel throughout New South Wales in this guide.
Overnight recreational stays are allowed within the state, except for locked-down regions. This includes stays at family and friends' properties and at paid accommodation, like hotels and Airbnbs.
Yes. Unless you're in a locked-down area, you can invite visitors over to your home, as long as there aren't more than 5 people. This person limit also applies to overnight stays until further notice.
It's recommended that if you're vulnerable (for example, immunocompromised) or older than 70, you should limit the number of overnight guests.
In locked-down areas, overnight stays are prohibited.
Under the latest recommendations by the New South Wales government, there are no restrictions to paid accommodation at hotels unless you're in a locked-down area. Across the state, you can check in as a leisure traveller. However, there may be some changes to check-in and fewer amenities will be available at the hotel.
You can book into and stay at a New South Wales hotel if you are coming from another state, but you may need to quarantine or self-isolate upon arrival back home as per the regulations of your state.
Some hotels, especially in Sydney, are still being used as quarantine hotels for people returning from overseas.
Agoda
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Available on stays until 31 December 2022 when you use the code. Destinations include Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Perth, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Flight Centre - Holidays
Up to 58% off Australia hotels
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Available on select stay dates until 31 March 2022. Destinations include Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, Rottnest Island and more.
Wotif
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Available on stays until August 2021. Destinations include Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Adelaide, Townsville, Tasmania, Sydney, Broome and more.
Expedia.com.au
Up to 33% off domestic stays + free cancellations
Available on select travel dates to Broome, Mackay, Launceston, Darwin, Perth, Cairns, Sydney, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Groupon
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Available for travel on select dates to Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Launceston, Newcastle, Noosa Heads, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
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Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. Destinations include Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
Expedia.com.au
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Luxury Escapes
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Available on select dates until December 2022. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Hunter Valley and more.
Priceline.com
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Available on select travel dates until December 2021, include during Vivid Sydney Festival dates. Sample stay is at Meriton Suites Campbell Street.
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 43% off domestic getaways
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Available on select dates in 2021, plus get free cancellation with select hotels. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Brisbane, Townsville, Adelaide, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
Booking.com
Up to 15% off Australia hotels
Ends
Available on stays from 1 April - 30 September 2021 on select hotels. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Stayz
Australia stays from $39/night
Available on select travel dates across Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth and more. Sample stay is in Reynella, Adelaide. T&Cs apply.
Klook
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Available on stays until 31 August 2021, including during Vivid Sydney Festival, when you use the code. T&Cs apply.
Wotif
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Available on stays until 30 June 2022 when you spend a minimum of $150. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
Stayz
Australia beach holidays from $82/night
Available on select stay dates in Adelaide, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and more. Sample stay is in Millicent, South Australia. T&Cs apply.
Agoda
Sydney hotels from $12 per night
Ends
Available on stays until December 2021. Includes free breakfast, free cancellation and pay at the hotel option on select properties. Sample stay is at The Village Surry Hills.
Accor Hotels
Up to 25% off Australia stays
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Available on 2+ night stays on select dates. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and more. Prepayment is required. T&Cs apply.
Accor Hotels
Up to 25% off advance purchase
Available on select dates when you book and pay 30+ days in advance. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
Accor Hotels
Up to 50% off 2nd room
Available on select stay dates in 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin and more. T&Cs apply.
TripAdvisor
Up to 37% off Australia hotels
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Available on select hotels until December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart and more.
TripAdvisor
Up to 29% off Sydney hotels
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Available on stays until December 2021 on select properties.
Momondo
Australia-wide stays from $13 per night
Ends
Available on select stay dates until December 2021. Sample stay is at Elephant Backpacker Sydney - Hostel. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and more.
Mercure
Australia escapes from $116 per night
Ends
Available on stays until December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast and more. Sample stay is at Mercure Melbourne Therry Street.
Trip.com
Up to 25% off Australia hotel stays
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Available on select stay dates until December 2021. Destinations include Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
IHG AMEA
Australia hotels from $95 per night
Ends
Available on stays from July - December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Adelaide and more. Sample stay is at Holiday Inn Werribee.
Hotels.com
Up to 50% off Australia escapes
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Available on select dates until March 2022. Destinations includes Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Gold Coast. T&Cs apply.
Homestay
Australia homestays from $4 per night
Available on select stay dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and more.
Homestay
Sydney homestays from $24 per night
Available on select stay dates until December 2021. Sample stay is in Wollongong.
Expedia.com.au
Up to 30% off Australia and New Zealand hotels
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Available on stays booked 60 days in advance. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Christchurch, Te Anau and more. T&Cs apply.
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 33% off luxury hotels in Australia
Ends
Available on stays from August - October 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Darwin and more. T&Cs apply.
Hotels.com
Up to 40% off Sydney hotels
Ends
Available on select stay dates until 30 March 2022.
Expedia.com.au
Up to 10% off Thredbo hotels
Available on select stay dates until 2022. Includes free breakfast and cancellation on select hotels. T&Cs apply.
Expedia.com.au
Up to 11% off Byron Bay getaways
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Available on select travel dates in 2021. T&Cs apply.
Expedia.com.au
Up to 14% off Hunter Valley getaways
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Available on select travel dates in 2021. T&Cs apply.
Luxury Escapes
Earn Qantas points on holiday getaways
Ends
Earn point on every $1 spent on stays until 2022 to destinations including Gold Coast, Barossa Valley, Tasmania, Margaret River, Brisbane, NSW, Sydney and more.
Swiss BelHotel
Up to 35% off Australia and New Zealand stays
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Available on stays until 28 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Queenstown and Auckland. T&Cs apply.
Wotif
Extra 10% off hotels
Subscribe your email to receive discounts. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Sofitel
Australia stays from $220 per night
Ends
Available on stays until December 2021. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Sample stay is at Sofitel Brisbane Central Hotel.
Hostelworld
Australia stays from $12/night
Available on select stay dates across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Hobart, Perth, Adelaide and more. Sample fare is for a stay at Byron Bay YHA. T&Cs apply.
Staying in a holiday home is permitted across the state, unless you're currently under stay-at-home orders. This includes a home you own or one you've booked on an accommodation site such as Airbnb and Stayz.
Holiday home groups are limited to a maximum of 5 people for overnight stays.
In areas that are in lockdown, hostels must close except to those who are in need of shelter.
Hostels elsewhere across the state are taking in guests with physical distancing measures in place.
For example, the YHA chain has limited the occupancy in shared dorm rooms. It's offering more sanitisation stations, especially in shared spaces like bathrooms and kitchens.
Base Hostels allows guests to check in with their phone using an app.At all hostels, physical distancing should be practised.
People who are in a lockdown area cannot camp or caravan at this time.
Elsewhere in the state, there is no limit to how many people can stay at a campground, but you will need to practise physical distancing with other campers.
In New South Wales you can use shared barbeque and kitchen facilities as long as there is ample physical distancing space per person.
If you're planning a camping trip to a New South Wales national park you may need to reserve a spot in advance, even if it's to a campground that has been free in the past.
Most popular attractions in Sydney including zoos, aquariums, museums and galleries must close due to lockdown.
You can pre-book or purchase vouchers for future travel if the activity isn't available.
Some popular attractions include:
RedBalloon
Get $10 off activities with code
Available on experiences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Sunshine Coast and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching cruises, skydives, high teas, quad biking experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
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Available on experiences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $250 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching cruises, skydives, high teas, quad biking experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
KKday
Get 12% off Australia tours and experiences
Ends
Available on select travel dates on activities such as sightseeing tours, Vivid Sydney cruises, jet boat rides, hot air balloon flights, wine tours and more. Destinations include Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Darwin and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook
$15 off all Australian activities with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $100. Activities include hot air balloon flights, tandem skydives and attraction passes. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and more. Exclusive for new members. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
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Available on jumps until 31 March 2022 when you use the code. Destinations include Melbourne, Cairns, Byron Bay, Perth, Noosa and more. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
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Available on select travel dates for activities including skydiving, hot air balloon flights, quad biking, scuba diving, whale watching, bridge climbing, high tea and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and more.
Skydive Australia
$60 off tandem skydives with code
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Available on weekday jumps until 29 October 2021. Destinations include Byron Bay and Great Ocean Road. T&Cs apply.
Everything Australia
Up to 40% off things to do in Australia
Available on select travel dates on select activities including hot air balloon flights, skydives, sightseeing cruises, whale watching cruises and dining experiences. Destinations include Sydney, Cairns, Perth, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane and more.
Groupon
Up to 56% off Sydney dining experiences
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Available on select cuisines including desserts, high teas and more.
RedBalloon
Up to 23% off flying experiences plus an extra $5 off with code
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $250. Activities include hot air ballooning, skydiving, helicopter scenic flights. Destinations include Whitsundays, Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hunter Valley, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
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Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of 250. Activities include hot air balloon flights, tandem skydives, whale watching cruises, dining, classes, high teas, spa treatments, getaways and attraction passes. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Up to 42% off activities for kids
Available on select dates, including school holidays, for activities like sandboarding, whale watching, jet boat rides, indoor skydiving, swimming, go karting, sightseeing tours and much more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra and more.
Viator
Up to 15% off local activities
Available on select travel dates on activities including day tours, skydiving, hot air balloon flights, transfers, quad biking, attraction passes and cruise. Destinations include in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Canberra, Brisbane, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
KKday
Up to 69% off things to do in Australia
Available on select travel dates across Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and more. Activities include day tours, zoo and animal interactions, tandem skydives, hot air balloon flights, jet boat rides and more.
Klook
Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do
Valid on select dates including holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more depending on the destination. Destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Osaka, Taipei, Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Paris, New York and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook
Extra 10% off Sydney activities
Ends
Available until 31 August 2021, including during Vivid Sydney Festival, on activities such as hot air balloon flights, whale watching cruises, Sydney Opera House tours, attraction passes and more. T&Cs apply.
Cudo
Up to 50% off glass boat Vivid Sydney cruise experience
Ends
Available from 17 September - 9 October 2021 for a 2-hour cruise. Includes standing buffet dinner and a drink.
Cudo
Up to 60% off 80's themed Vivid Sydney cruise
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Available on select dates from 17 September - 9 October 2021. Includes canapes or buffet dinner.
Cudo
Up to 51% off Sydney Harbour Vivid Cruise experience
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Available from 22-26 September 2021 and includes drinks and canapes.
Cudo
Up to 38% off Vivid Sydney 2-hour cruise
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Available from 19-20 September 2021 and includes Mediterranean risotto and drinks upon arrival.
Adrenaline
Up to 42% off things to do in Sydney
Available on activities including soccer classes, driving experiences, hot air balloon flights, skydives, kayak tours, quad biking tours, whale watching cruises, jet boat rides and more.
Go City
Up to 10% off Sydney attractions and experiences
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Available on select travel dates when you use the code. Includes hop-on hop-off bus tours and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook
Up to 30% off Australia V8 race car driving experiences
Ends
Available on select dates for up to 3 persons. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Launceston. Vouchers are valid for 3 years. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
Up to 20% off Madame Tussauds Sydney admission tickets
Ends
Available on select dates until December 2021. Plus get free unlimited digital photos.
RedBalloon
Up to 10% off Madame Tussauds Sydney entry tickets
Ends
Available on select dates when you purchase 2 or more vouchers. T&Cs apply.
Klook
Madame Tussauds Sydney tickets from $37
Ends
Available on select dates from August - September 2021.
KKday
Up to 30% off Sydney 3-hour lunch cruise
Ends
Available on select dates from 30 July 2021 - 27 March 2022, including during Vivid Sydney festival dates.
KKday
Get $9 off Vivid Sydney Harbour Bridge climb experience
Ends
Available on select dates from 17 September - 9 October 2021.
KKday
Up to 28% off Vivid Sydney dinner cruise
Ends
Available from 17 September - 9 October 2021 and includes a 3-course dinner.
Trip.com
Up to 20% off things to do in Sydney
Available on select travel dates until 2021 on activities including dinner cruise, tours, zoos and animal interactions, attraction passes and more.
Adrenaline
Get 5% off Australia activities with code
Ends
Available on activities including skydiving, hot air ballooning, whale watching, rally driving, quad biking and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Get 10% off Australia activities with code
Ends
Available on activities including skydiving, hot air ballooning, whale watching, rally driving, quad biking and more. Minimum spend of $350 required. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
Cudo
Up to 94% off Sydney experiences
Ends
Available on activities including online courses, cinema tickets, go kart rides, wine tours, whale watching cruises, painting classes and more.
Skydive Australia
Up to $50 off Sydney skydives
Ends
Available from Mondays to Fridays until 29 October 2021 on 15,000ft jumps. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Up to $60 off Byron Bay skydives
Ends
Available from Mondays - Fridays until 29 October 2021 when you use the code. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Get $5 off Sydney go karting
Ends
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $250. Voucher value valid for 5 years. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Up to 60% off Australia activities + extra $10 off with code
Ends
Available until 2022 on activities including hot air balloon flights, whale watching cruises, jet boat rides, getaways, driving experiences, online classes and more. Destinations include Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. T&Cs apply.
Hyper Karting
Sydney: Get 10% off go karting experiences
Subscribe your email address and receive an instant 10% discount code. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Get $10 off your next purchase
Join the RedBalloon newsletter for $10 off your next order on select locations across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast, Cairn and more. Activities include skydives, hot air balloon flights, sightseeing cruises and more. Minimum spend of $49. Valid for new members. T&Cs apply.
Everything Australia
Australia whale watching experiences from $89
Ends
Available on select dates until October 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Byron Bay and Gold Coast.
Most NSW National Parks are open to recreational visits, including camp sites within the parks. Camp sites need to be pre-booked for overnight stays.
A few parks may be closed for safety reasons or to regenerate. Confirm on the NSW National Parks website before heading out to avoid disappointment.
People in locked-down regions can visit national parks for exercise and outdoor recreation if they're within a 10km distance of their home or within their LGA.
The opening status of beaches and local parks depends on the local council. Before you hit the surf check the local council website to make sure you won't have to turn back.
If the beach is open, you should practise the state's physical distancing restrictions. Stay in small groups and make sure there is at least 1.5m distance from you to the next group of people.
People in locked-down areas can visit beaches and parks for outdoor recreation and exercise, limited to households or up to 2 people. Exercise can only be taken within 10km of your home or within your LGA.
The ski season has opened for 2021.
The season-opening dates are as follows:
Last year there were limited tickets available. This year we're anticipating the same with pre-purchase bound to be necessary to ensure no overcrowding.
There are no limitations when driving your own vehicle. Generally, you can go anywhere within the state unless you're in a locked-down area, in which case you must stay at home unless you're out for essential reasons.
These 10 road trips take you along the state's most beautiful and unique landscapes.
If you're hiring a car, there may be additional protocols due to COVID-19 in place, including when you can pick up and drop off your vehicle.
For example, Europcar has a zero-contact policy where the car keys will be disinfected and put into a sealed envelope.
DriveNow
Campervan hire from $5/day
Available on select routes, dates and locations in Australia, including Darwin, Alice Springs, Cairns and Brisbane, and New Zealand.
Klook
Up to 10% off car rentals in Australia
Ends
Available until 31 December 2021 when you spend a minimum of $50. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Hobart and more. Prepayment is required. T&Cs apply.
Motorhome Republic
Up to 15% off Apollo one-way rentals
Ends
Available on Alice Springs and Darwin rentals until 17 December 2021. Drop off locations include Broome, Cairns, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Adelaide. T&Cs apply.
Motorhome Republic
Up to 10% off Australia campervan hires
Ends
Available on rentals from 26 July - 15 September 2021 with Maui, Britz and more. Destinations include Sydney, Adelaide, Cairns, Broome, Perth, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Hertz
Get 1 day free on 5-day rentals
Ends
Available on rentals until 31 December 2021 when you book a minimum of 5 consecutive days rental. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
Europcar
Up to 10% off base rate
Ends
Available on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday pick up dates until 11 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
Europcar
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand rentals
Ends
Available on 2+ days rentals until 11 December 2021 when you book 21 days in advance. Destinations include Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
JUCY
Up to 15% off Australia campervan hires
Ends
Available on rentals until 20 December 2021. Destinations include Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. T&Cs apply.
Europcar
Get $24 off car hires with code
Ends
Available on rentals until 31 October 2021 when you spend a minimum of $240. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Europcar
$1/day one-way car hire in Australia
Valid on select dates for select car hire in Australia. Destinations updated regularly.
Budget Car Rental
Get $50 off 6-day rentals
Ends
Available on rentals from 12 July - 31 October 2021 across Australia, including Perth, NSW and more. T&Cs apply.
Qeeq
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand car hires
Ends
Available on select rental dates until December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and more. T&Cs apply.
Motorhome Republic
Jucy car rentals from $284 + Free one-way fee
Ends
Available from 14 July - 20 September 2021 on pick up destinations including Adelaide Airport, Melbourne Airport, Melbourne City and Sydney. Waived fee only applies to one-way rentals. Sample rate is for a 2 Berth JUCY Crib. T&Cs apply.
Europcar
Get $15 off bookings with code
Ends
Available on select rental dates when you spend a minimum of $150. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply
Europcar
Up to 20% off base rates on van and truck rentals
Ends
Available on rentals until 30 August 2021 across Australia. T&Cs apply.
JUCY
Australia campervan hires from $299 per week
Ends
Available on JUCY Crib and Champ weekly rentals until 20 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
