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Where can you go in New South Wales in May 2022? | NSW travel restrictions explained
Here's where you can go now, what you can do and what to keep in mind.
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Stay-at-home orders have been lifted for all residents across New South Wales.
Leisure travel is permitted, though you should continue to practise physical distancing when you're out and about.
Travelling to Sydney? Read our guide on what's open in the city for a list of attractions, restaurants and public areas to visit.
TL;DR: NSW restrictions
Accommodation in New South Wales
Overnight recreational stays are allowed within the state. This includes stays at family and friends' properties and at paid accommodation, including hotels and Airbnbs.
Can I stay overnight with family and friends?
Yes. You can visitors at your home, including staying overnight.
It's recommended that if you're vulnerable (for example, immunocompromised) or older than 70, you should limit the number of overnight guests.
Can I book a stay at a hotel?
You can book and stay at a New South Wales hotel.
Keep in mind, there may be some changes to check-in and fewer amenities may be available at the hotel.
If you are travelling from another state, you may need to quarantine or self-isolate when you return home as per your state's rules.
Book a stay at a hotel
See our top picks for NSW stays:
Romantic Overnight Stay at The Langham Sydney
RedBalloon
Luxury Mudgee Glamping Stay
RedBalloon
Latest hotel deals for New South Wales
Klook Australia
Extra 10% off Vivid Sydney getaways
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Available on stays from 2 May – 17 June 2022 when you use the code. Minimum spend of $150 required. T&Cs apply.
Trip.com
Vivid Sydney: Get $50 off hotels and flights
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Available from 10 May – 30 May 2022. T&Cs apply.
Wotif
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Available on stays until July 2022. Destinations include Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Adelaide, Townsville, Tasmania, Sydney, Broome and more.
Agoda
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Available on stays until 30 June 2022. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Cairns, Perth, Newcastle and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on stays from 4 April – 30 September 2022. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and more.
Expedia.com.au
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Available on stays from 27 May – 18 June 2022. T&Cs apply.
Accor Hotels
NSW getaways from $125 per night
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Available on select stay dates in 2022, including during Vivid Sydney. Destinations include Ettalong, Wolli Creek, Pyrmont, Sydney and more. Plus members get 10% discount. Membership is free. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
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Available on stays until 12 July 2022 when you spend a minimum of $150. T&Cs apply.
Oaks Hotels & Resorts
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Available on stays until 30 September 2022 when you stay for 2+ nights at Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough Suites. Plus get an extra 10% off for Oaks DISCOVERY members. T&Cs apply.
Marriott
Get complimentary breakfast for 2 on Sydney stays
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Available on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays stays from 27 May – 18 June 2022 at Courtyard Sydney-North Ryde. Minimum of 2 nights required. T&Cs apply.
Marriott
Get free Vivid amenity and Vivid high tea on stays
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Available on Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde stays from 27 May – 18 June 2022 when you use the code. Includes breakfast for 2. T&Cs apply.
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Receive $100 Vivid dining voucher on stays
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Available on stays from 27 May – 18 June 2022 at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay. Plus get free Vivid bag, breakfast and a view upgrade. T&Cs apply.
Lastminute.com.au
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Available on select dates in 2022 and on select properties across Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Lastminute.com.au
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Available on select travel dates until 2022. Sample stay is at Airport Hotel Sydney. Destinations include Coogee, Bondi Beach, Surry Hills and more.
Agoda
Get 10% off Oceania hotels stays
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Available on stays until 30 June 2022. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch, Fiji and more. T&Cs apply.
Stayz
Australia beach holidays from $76 per night
Available on select stay dates in Adelaide, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and more. Sample stay is for a studio apartment in Mornington Peninsula. T&Cs apply.
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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.
Expedia.com.au
Up to 35% off domestic stays + free cancellations
Available until May 2022, including Easter. Destinations include Broome, Mackay, Launceston, Darwin, Perth, Cairns, Sydney, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Expedia.com.au
Up to 35% off last-minute domestic escapes
Available on stays within the next 14 days. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Extra $10 off Australia getaway packages
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.
Groupon
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Available for travel on select dates to Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Launceston, Newcastle, Noosa Heads, Cairns, NSW and more.
Stayz
Australia stays from $18/night
Available on select travel dates across Sydney, Adelaide, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth and more. Sample rate is for a stay at Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Up to 10% off Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough
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Available for booking until 14 May 2023. T&Cs apply.
Oaks Hotels & Resorts
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Offer available from 27 May – 18 June 2022. T&Cs apply.
Oaks Hotels & Resorts
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Offer available from 27 May – 18 June 2022. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
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Available for booking until 14 May 2023. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
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Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $150. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
Up to 10% off Travelodge Hotel Sydney stays
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Available on select dates when you use the code. Minimum spend of $150 required. T&Cs apply.
Marriott
Up to $25 off Sydney stays + free room upgrade
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Available on 2 night stays at Four Points by Sheraton Sydney when you use your Stay NSW or Parents NSW vouchers. T&Cs apply.
IHG AMEA
Earn up to 4x bonus points on stays
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Available for IHG One Rewards members on stays until August 2022. Must book a minimum of 5+ nights. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. T&Cs apply.
Homes & Villas by Marriott International
Earn 30,000 bonus points on stays
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Available on stays from 1 June – 31 December 2022 when you book for a private home for a minimum of 5 nights. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and more.
Wotif
Snowy Mountains escapes from $119
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Available on stays in 2022. Destinations include Thredbo, Jindabyne, Perisher Valley and more. Sample stay is at Stillwell Hotel in Charlotte Pass.
Vrbo
Sydney stays from $28 per night
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Available for stays in 2022. Sample stay is for a room in Brookvale.
TripAdvisor
Sydney stays from $33 per night
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Available on stays until December 2022. Sample stay is at Big Hostel.
Luxury Escapes
Up to 21% off New South Wales Bannisters escapes
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Available for booking until 28 July 2022 at Bannisters in Port Stephens, NSW. Includes daily breakfast, glass of sparkling wine upon arrival and more.
Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Up to 30% off hotel getaways
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Available on stays until 31 August 2022. Destinations include Broome, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Auckland and Queenstown. T&Cs apply.
Novotel
Australia getaways from $164 per night
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Available on stays until December 2022. Destinations includes Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Melbourne and more. Sample stay is at Novotel Perth Langley.
Mercure
Australia escapes from $119 per night
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Available on stays until December 2022, including Easter dates. Destinations include Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast and more. Sample stay is at Mercure Welcome Melbourne.
Groupon
Up to 45% off Charlotte Pass ski holiday
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Available on stays from 11 June – 1 October 2022. Package includes accommodation, breakfast, transfers and lift pass.
Can I stay at a privately owned or paid holiday home such as an Airbnb?
Staying in a holiday home is permitted across the state. This includes a home you own or one you've booked on an accommodation site such as Airbnb and Stayz.
Am I able to book a bed or a private room at a hostel?
Hostels are open to travellers across the state, but there may still be some restrictions 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 lets guests to check in with their phone using an app.At all hostels, physical distancing should be practised.
Is camping and caravanning allowed?
Camping and caravanning are allowed but you will need to practise physical distancing with other campers.
In New South Wales, you can use the 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.
Tourist attractions in New South Wales
Popular attractions in Sydney including zoos, aquariums, museums and galleries are open.
You can pre-book or purchase vouchers to avoid waiting times.
Some open attractions are:
- Whale watching cruises in Sydney, Newcastle or Nelson Bay
- Sydney Motorsport Park
- Wollongong Beach skydiving
- Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo Zoo)
- Art Gallery of New South Wales
- Powerhouse Museum
See our top picks for NSW attractions:
Hunter Valley Wine and Cheese Tour for 2
RedBalloon
Coffs Harbour Rainforest and Waterfall Tour
RedBalloon
Art Gallery of New South Wales Tours
Viator
Latest deals for attractions and activities in New South Wales
Trip.com
Vivid Sydney: Get $50 off hotels and flights
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Available from 10 May – 30 May 2022. T&Cs apply.
Viator
Vivid Lights Sydney Harbour cruise from $39
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Available on select dates from 27 May –18 June 2022 for a 1-hour cruise experience.
Klook Australia
Extra 10% off Vivid Sydney experiences
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Available from 2 May – 17 June 2022 when you spend a minimum of $50. Activities includes scenic helicopter flights, harbour cruise, Vivid skywalk and more. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Get $40 off midweek tandem skydives
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Available on jumps until 28 October 2022 on select locations including Byron Bay, Newcastle, Cairns, Melbourne, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
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Available on activities including skydives, whale watching cruises, day tours, getaways and more. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
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$15 off all Australian activities with code
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $100. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives and attraction passes. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. Exclusive for new members. T&Cs apply.
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Available from 27 May – 18 June 2022 for a 1.5-hour cruise experience.
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Available on select dates from 27 May – 18 June 2022 and includes canapes and a drink.
Klook Australia
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Available from 27 May – 18 June 2022 for a 90-minute cruise experience. Minimum spend of $50 required. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates from 27 May – 18 June 2022 for a 60-minute cruise. Minimum spend of $50 required. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
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Available on Thursdays to Fridays from 27 May – 18 June 2022 at Sydney Tower Eye. Minimum spend of $50 required. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
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Available from 27 May – 18 June 2022 for a 2-hour cruise on a luxury glass vessel. Minimum spend of $50 required. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
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Available from 27 May – 18 June 2022 for a 90-minute experience when you spend a minimum of $50. T&Cs apply.
Klook Australia
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Available from 27 May – 17 June 2022 for a 90-minute experience when you spend a minimum of $50. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Get $5 off Vivid Sydney dining experience
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Available from 27 May – 18 June 2022 for a 3-course multi-sensory dining experience with a minimum spend of $250. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
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Extra 10% off Australia activities and experiences
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Available on select dates and activities such as V8 racing, tandem skydives, scenic helicopter flights and jet boat rides. Destinations include Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. Minimum spend of $350 required. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates on activities including day tours, skydiving, hot air ballooning, attraction passes and cruises. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Canberra, Brisbane, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
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Get $20 off per person when you book for 4 or more. Destinations include Sydney, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Cairns, Brisbane and more.
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Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives, high teas and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select travel dates in 2022. Includes sightseeing cruises, tours, attraction passes and more.
Adrenaline
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Available on select dates, including Christmas and New Year's, for activities such as skydiving, hot air balloon flights, bridge climbing, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and more.
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Skydive Australia
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Available on jumps from 7,500ft to 15,000ft. Destinations include Sydney, Hunter Valley, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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Get $40 off per person when you book for 8 or more. Destinations include Sydney, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Cairns, Brisbane and more.
Skydive Australia
Get $25 off NSW skydives
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Available until 30 June 2022 when you use your Dine and Discover vouchers. Destinations include Wollongong, Byron Bay and Newcastle. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $250. Activities include hot air ballooning, skydiving, helicopter scenic flights. Destinations include Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hunter Valley, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available until 18 October 2022 on classes including cooking, painting, candle making, pottery and more. Minimum spend of $250 required. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Up to 10% off Vivid Sydney cruise + buffet and drink
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Available on select dates from 27 May – 18 June 2022 for a 2-hour cruise ride. Must purchase 2 vouchers or more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
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Available from 28 May – 18 June 2022 for a 1-hour cruise ride. Must purchase 2 vouchers or more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
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Available on select dates for a 1.5 hour evening cruise. Must purchase 2 vouchers to get the discount. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
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Available from 27 May – 18 June 2022 at Taronga Zoo Sydney. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Up to 10% off Bar 83 Vivid Sydney Experience for 2
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Available on select dates for a 2-hour experience when you purchase 2 or more vouchers. T&Cs apply.
Viator
Vivid Sydney light and photography tour from $149
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Available on select dates from 29 May – 15 June 2022.
Viator
$49: Vivid Sydney harbour catamaran cruise
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Available from 1–18 June 2022 for a 90-minute experience and BYO drinks.
Klook Australia
Up to 10% off Sydney Big Bus hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours
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Get 10% off with code. Available on tours on select dates until 21 May 2023.
Are national parks in New South Wales open to visitors?
Most NSW national parks are open to recreational visits, including campsites within the parks. Campsites may 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.
Can I go to beaches and parks?
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, remember to social distance.
Will ski areas be open this year?
The ski season is open in 2022.
The season-opening dates are as follows:
Getting to and from your holiday destination
Am I able to drive anywhere within New South Wales or into the ACT/Canberra?
There are no limitations when driving your own vehicle. You can go anywhere within the state, including into the ACT.
Check out these 10 road trips that take you along the state's most beautiful and unique landscapes.
If you're hiring a car, there may be additional protocols in place due to COVID-19. This includes when you can pick up and drop off your vehicle.
DiDi
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Get $5 off 4 rides in 7 days across Australia, including Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne and more when you use the code. Valid for new users only. T&Cs apply.
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DriveNow
Campervan hire from $5 per day
Available on select routes, dates and locations in Australia, including Darwin, Alice Springs, Cairns and Brisbane and New Zealand.
JUCY
Up to 15% off Australia campervan hires
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Available on rentals from 16 May – 30 November 2022 when you book a minimum of 10 days. Destinations include Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Avis
7th day free on car hires
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Available on rentals until 30 June 2022 across Australia, including Cairns, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Perth, Darwin and more. Minimum of 7 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
Europcar
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand car hire
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Available until 30 September 2022 on 2+ days rentals when you book 21 days in advance. Destinations include Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Auckland 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.
DriveMyCar
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Available on rentals when you book for 6+ months. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Motorhome Republic
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Available until 31 August 2022 across Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra. T&Cs apply.
Motorhome Republic
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Available on one-way rentals until 17 June 2022 to Darwin. Pick up locations include Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. T&Cs apply.
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Available on rentals until 31 March 2024 with Cheapa Campa, Cruisin', Britz, Jucy and more when you use the code. Destinations include Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne and Perth. T&Cs apply.
National Car Rental
Earn free rental days for members
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Motorhome Republic
Get guaranteed credits or refunds on campervan hires
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Available on rentals until 31 December 2023 with Apollo, Britz, Cruisin Motorhomes, Travellers Autobarn, Cheapa Campa and more. Destinations include Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand and more. T&Cs apply.
Budget Car Rental
Get free single upgrade on rentals
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Available on rentals until 30 June 2022 when you use the code. Minimum of 2 consecutive rental days required. Destinations include Adelaide, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Hertz
Up to 20% off Australia weekend car hires
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Available on select rental dates until 30 June 2022. Maximum rental period of 4 consecutive days. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Avis
Free SUV upgrade on Australia rentals
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Available on select rentals until 31 May 2022. T&Cs apply
DriveMyCar
Car hire from $21 per day
Hire cars across Australia from as little as $21 per day. T&Cs apply.