KAYAK’s insights & trends for Rockhampton car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Rockhampton with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in Rockhampton?
You should book your car hire in Rockhampton around 64 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car hire company in Rockhampton?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest hire cars were found at Alamo (£24.12/day), Budget (£51.17/day), and Avis (£56.94/day). The cheapest car hire price was found at Alamo In Terminal Canoona Rd (1.8 mi from city centre).
What is the best car hire company in Rockhampton?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Rockhampton are Budget (10.0, 1 review), Hertz (10.0), and Europcar (8.0, 1 review).
Budget
Rated 10.0/10
Hertz
Rated 10.0/10
Europcar
Rated 8.0/10
Alamo
Rated 6.0/10
What is the most popular car to hire in Rockhampton?
Intermediate cars (Kia Sportage or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to hire in Rockhampton. Intermediate cars in Rockhampton cost £45/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as £23/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Rockhampton?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Rockhampton is February at an average cost of £31/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in Rockhampton when prices are £54/day on average, which tends to be 8% above the yearly average hire price for Rockhampton.
What car hire company in Rockhampton has the most locations?
Thrifty operates 3 locations in Rockhampton, more than any other car hire company.
Average monthly temperatures in Rockhampton sit above 25°C for most of the year and can rise above 35°C, making an air conditioned hire car the most comfortable option for getting around town, cutting out possible long waits for public transport in the sun. Hiring a car in Rockhampton will also let you make the most of the evening dining and nightlife on offer as bus services on weekdays finish around 18:00. Attractions outside of the city centre, including Mount Archer and Capricorn Caves, are not directly linked by public transport; however, they can be reached with a 30min drive by car.
The offices of hire companies, such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty, are on the right-hand side of Rockhampton Airport (ROK). It’s easy to spot the desks directly across from the baggage claim carousels. No shuttle is required to reach your vehicle, the hire car park is just outside the terminal building, over the pick-up and drop-off lane.
Long freight trucks, known as road trucks, are common on the highways around Rockhampton, so you should ensure you have plenty of space when overtaking. Be wary when crossing the Fitzroy River after heavy rainfall as bridges can experience flooding and block access. If you are planning on going off-road driving, assess the local conditions and reduce tyre pressure accordingly.
Peak hour traffic is worst between 08:00–09:00 and 16:30–18:00, though it’s nowhere near as limiting as congestion in other major cities around Australia. Traffic moves slowly along East St for most of the day as it’s a commercial hub full of pedestrians. Expect some delays when using Bruce Hwy in busy periods, which are heightened on weekend mornings and holidays.
Rockhampton is connected to several of Queensland's major highways, including the A1 along the coast and the A3, A4 and A5 that head inland. This makes it perfect for road trips. For example, you could take the A4 to Dawson Range State Forest, a popular camping area, in around 1h 30min. Or, you could take the A1 to the coastal town of Clairview in just over 2 hours. If you fancy a long road trip, you could follow the A3 all the way down to Toowoomba, a popular tourist spot for those interested in history and art. The drive without stops takes around 7 hours, but you can also stop at towns like Biloela along the way.
If you're visiting from overseas, make sure that you have all the extra documentation you might need before you pick up your hire car in Rockhampton. You may be asked to present your passport as an additional ID. If your driver's licence isn't in English, you'll need an official translation. An International Driver's Permit is usually the easiest way to get one. Make sure you keep this on you while driving your Rockhampton hire car too. Apart from these extra documents, you'll also need your normal driver's licence as well as a debit or credit card for payment. Cash or cheques are not usually accepted.
Make sure you know where you're allowed to drive your vehicle, especially as Queensland has a number of unsealed roads and scenic beach drives. These surfaces may not be allowed by your Rockhampton car hire company. Additionally, while you can usually drive your vehicle into New South Wales, you may not be allowed to drive it to other states or territories, such as the Northern Territory. Some areas of Far North Queensland are also commonly subject to restrictions. If you're planning a coastal trip and want to take your vehicle onto a car ferry, make sure you've purchased the necessary additional insurance – this might not be ideal for cheap car hire in Rockhampton.
Intermediate hire cars in Rockhampton are around 28% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about car hire in Rockhampton
What type of car is recommended for driving in Rockhampton?
Characterised by wide roads and open spaces, all car models are suited to Rockhampton. Compact makes are great for finding cheap prices, and people movers can transport big groups from one side of the city to the other. Choosing a 4WD is imperative for trails and beach driving around popular destinations, such as Mount Morgan and Sandy Point.
What’s the speed limit in Rockhampton?
The default limit in central Rockhampton is 50 km/h; however, busy areas, including East St, have reduced speeds of 30 km/h. A limit of 40 km/h is enforced in school zones between 07:00–09:00 and 14:00–16:00, with flashing yellow lights indicating the reduced speed is in operation. Bruce Hwy increases to 110 km/h outside of Rockhampton, though it is set at 60 km/h as it passes through the town.
Where are the best places to park in Rockhampton?
Free parking is available throughout the centre and is restricted to 2h on most of East St, William St and Denham St. Unrestricted space where you can leave the car can be found at the northern end of Alma St and the eastern end of Quay St.
How can I find car hires near me in Rockhampton?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Rockhampton?
An Economy car hire in Rockhampton costs £41 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Rockhampton?
An Intermediate car hire in Rockhampton costs £52 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car hire cost in Rockhampton?
A Standard car hire in Rockhampton costs £104 per day, on average.
Should I get insurance when hiring a car in Rockhampton?
Most car hire providers in Rockhampton offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Rockhampton, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.
What insurance do I need for a hire car in Rockhampton?
Third-party insurance and a loss-damage waiver are mandatory for all Australian hire cars. This means that it is automatically included in the cost of your booking, which is great for those seeking cheap car hire in Rockhampton. Bear in mind that this will usually be a basic level of coverage, so you may wish to take out extras.
How old do I need to be to get a Rockhampton hire car?
You'll need to be at least 21 years old before you can get a hire car in Rockhampton. Your full driver's licence will need to have been valid for at least one year.
Some Rockhampton car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend being aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Rockhampton.
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a non-deductible option to your Rockhampton car hire.
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