Star RV Australia

Star RV has six Australian hire branches: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Its Polaris motorhomes sleep two, four or six people and include a toilet, shower and kitchen. Star RV’s driver, payment and route rules affect the hire cost and where you can travel.

Star RV does not provide airport transfers in Australia. Arrange transport to the branch, and collect and return the motorhome during opening hours. Star RV’s published Australian information and terms were checked on 17 October 2026; the current terms apply to bookings confirmed or amended from 1 May 2026.

Star RV branch locations and hours

Star’s FAQ lists the following six branches. The company’s Gold Coast and Darwin branch notices say those sites closed in October and November 2025 respectively, so they are not included as current depots.

“When open” means a public-holiday opening is not guaranteed. Star says to collect and return vehicles during branch hours, and its Sydney relocation notice rules out after-hours pickup and drop-off there. The Banksmeadow branch has handled Sydney pickups and returns since 10 February 2026; Star describes it as about a 15-minute drive from Sydney Airport and does not provide an airport transfer.

Star’s Australian airport-transfer help page says the company does not run an airport shuttle. Its branch pages suggest arranging a taxi, rideshare, public transport or a lift from friends or family. Star also says personal vehicles cannot be left at the listed branches, so do not plan to leave your car there.

Star RV motorhomes and driver rules

The Australian fleet includes Polaris 2, Polaris 4 and Polaris 6 motorhomes. The number refers to the listed berth category; it does not guarantee that a particular vehicle is available for your dates or at your chosen branch. Check the booking quote for the exact vehicle category.

For Australian hires, Star’s FAQ and terms require drivers to be aged 21 to under 75. Star accepts full English-language licences and Australian Green P/P2 licences. It does not accept learner licences or Australian Red P/P1 licences. Drivers with a licence that is not in English must carry either an International Driver Permit or a NAATI-approved certified translation, as well as the original licence. Every driver must be authorised on the hire and carry a valid licence.

Payments, bond and excess

Star’s FAQ describes two booking-payment choices: pay a 20% deposit and the balance at collection, or pay in full when booking. For bookings confirmed or amended from 1 May 2026, the terms say the deposit is calculated at booking and an additional fee may apply when paying a deposit upfront. Use the amount and payment conditions in the quote for your booking.

Star accepts debit cards. At pickup, it may pre-authorise the applicable excess-reduction amount and security bond. A pre-authorisation temporarily reduces the funds available on the card. Star says it releases a held bond either seven days after pickup or 48 hours after drop-off, whichever comes first; the bank or card provider can take 7–30 business days to show the funds as available again.

For bookings confirmed or amended from 1 May 2026, Star’s excess-reduction page lists these daily prices and amounts under “Bond Payable & Excess Liability” for Polaris 2, 4 and 6:

Star lists windscreen and tyre cover at $15 per day for Risk Taker and Essentials, and as included with Comprehensive. Its tables also list a $125 claims-administration fee. The same page includes other bond and fee labels, and their relationship to the summary figures above is unclear. Check the booking quote and the terms attached to it for the actual excess, authorisation and applicable fees. Star says a qualifying no-bond excess option removes the security bond, but the booking’s card pre-authorisations still matter.

For bookings confirmed or amended before 1 May 2026, Star’s FAQ separately describes a $300 debit-card security bond for tolls, infringements and other hire costs, including where certain cover was selected. That earlier-booking rule should not be assumed to apply to bookings under the newer terms.

Star also identifies charges that depend on the booking. One-way fees, public-holiday surcharges, pet fees and any deposit-payment fee do not have a universal amount in the reviewed information; the quote sets out applicable charges. Star lists a $3.45 fee per Australian toll notice.

Routes and one-way hire

Star prohibits off-road driving on beaches, sand and tracks. The ban also covers fields and paddocks. Its FAQ allows reasonable use of access roads to recognised commercial campgrounds. The terms effective from 1 May 2026 also prohibit driving on undesignated or unpaved roads, through water crossings, on closed or flooded roads, or on snow-affected roads without chains. Star also bars travel to places it identifies as restricted or unsafe.

One-way hire requires Star’s approval and depends on availability. The fee varies by vehicle and direction. Star’s FAQ says Australian pickup and drop-off can be between Star locations except Perth, while its one-way help page describes specific routes between branches in Australia and New Zealand. Confirm the exact route and fee in writing before relying on a one-way booking. The published information does not establish a general right to take a vehicle to Tasmania or every other jurisdiction.

Compare Star RV with other hire providers

The table compares Star’s confirmed Australian offering with what needs checking for any alternative provider. Because no pickup city or airport is specified, a competitor’s general Australian marketing does not confirm a bookable local depot.

For a fair comparison, use the same pickup and return locations and dates, then compare the full quote, excess, bond, transfer arrangements and permitted routes. A provider should only count as an option once its own official pages confirm a bookable depot at the intended location.