Pickup is at a workshop in Tingalpa, fifteen minutes over the bridge from BNE airport. Tarik does the handover himself — keys, briefing, the small things that aren't in the manual — and is at the end of the phone for the rest of the trip.
Why book direct
Tarik runs Hoppin Habitats himself out of a workshop in Tingalpa, about fifteen minutes from BNE airport. The vans are custom craft builds — designed and finished in Brisbane, with character that doesn't come out of a generic fit-out template. Calls go straight to him on 0423 611 100.
- Better daily rate. No marketplace commission. Booking direct on hoppinhabitats.com.au is the cheapest way to get one of these vans.
- Long-stay pricing on hires of a week and up. The daily rate drops as the hire gets longer — the long-stay page covers the ladder.
- Flexible handover. After-hours pickup and drop-off times can be arranged — flag it when booking and we'll work around the flight or the ferry.
- Direct conversation. The person answering your booking questions is the same person prepping the van and handing it over. Edge-case questions get a same-day answer.
Built for longer stays
The biggest benefit of booking with Hoppin Habitats is the long-stay pricing. The daily rate drops as the hire gets longer, because the work around each hire — handover, briefing, return inspection — is roughly the same whether the trip is a week or a month. Longer hires mean less overhead per day, and that gets passed on as a better rate.
The full ladder is on the long-stay page. Every van is a known object — built, driven, and maintained by the same person, and serviced before every hire.
From the Tingalpa workshop
The same workshop runs two sides of the business: the rental Hiaces above, and custom fit-outs for customers who want their own van built. Different vehicles, same hands.
What's included on every hire
The daily rate covers everything you need to roll out of the workshop and start the trip:
- Full comprehensive insurance. Standard excess is the $1,500 bond; anything above is on the insurer.
- RACQ roadside assist. Membership is included on every hire — the call for a flat tyre, flat battery, or mechanical hassle is free to you.
- Bedding. Sheets, doona, pillows — made up in the van at handover.
- Cooking kit. Stove or induction depending on the van, gas where relevant, pots, pans, cutlery, plates, mugs.
- Folding chairs. Two of them, in the back. Extra rugs added when the season calls for it.
- Glovebox folder. Emergency numbers, RACQ membership card, van quirks, and nearest fuel and water stops.
Payment and bond
A $250 reservation deposit by card secures the dates at booking. The balance and the bond are paid at pickup — balance by PayID or card.
Bond
$1,500, held separately. Refunded in full once the van comes back undamaged — typically within 15 days of the return inspection.
What it covers. The bond is the standard insurance excess — what you're liable for in the rare event of an at-fault claim. Anything above is on the insurer.
Pickup, drop-off, and one-ways
Pickup and drop-off are at the workshop in Tingalpa, about fifteen minutes from BNE airport. Most fly-in hirers grab an Uber or taxi from the airport — it's just over the bridge.
One-way hires are available for an additional fee, to Cairns, Melbourne, or Sydney. Other one-way destinations aren't generally on the menu — flag it if you have something specific in mind.
After-hours pickup and drop-off times can be arranged. Mention it when booking and we'll work around the flight or the ferry.
Where people go from here
The vans head north for coastal runs — Noosa, Hervey Bay, the Whitsundays, and the long stretch up to Cairns. South for the surf — Stradbroke down through the Gold Coast and into the Northern Rivers, with longer one-way trips ending in Sydney or Melbourne. Inland for the hinterland and the rainforest — the Glass House Mountains, the Bunya Range, Lamington and Springbrook national parks all sit within a couple of hours of the Tingalpa workshop.
A growing share of hires are work-related: four-to-eight-week stays where the van is the office and the office moves with the trip. Those longer hires are part of why the long-stay rate ladder is set up the way it is.
If a Brisbane-side trip in the cooler months is on the cards, the winter-in-Brisbane guide covers what to do, where to stay, and what the weather actually does in the off-season.
FAQ
Who owns the Hoppin Habitats vans?
Tarik owns and runs the business. All the vans are operated by Hoppin Habitats.
What's the difference between Hoppin Habitats and Camplify?
Hoppin Habitats is the operator of its own vans. The same vans show up on Camplify (the peer-to-peer marketplace) because Hoppin Habitats lists on it. Booking direct on the website skips the marketplace commission, which means a better daily rate.
Who do I call if something goes wrong on the road?
Call Tarik directly on 0423 611 100. You'll be talking with me, not a call centre, and we'll organise RACQ or the right solution. A flat tyre or flat battery is handled by RACQ — membership is included on every hire and the call is free to you.
Do you do airport pickup from BNE?
Pickup is from the workshop in Tingalpa, about fifteen minutes from BNE by taxi or rideshare. Most fly-in hirers grab an Uber from the airport for the handover.
Can I drop the van off in another city?
One-way hires to Cairns, Melbourne, or Sydney are available for an additional fee. Other one-way destinations aren't generally on the menu — flag it if you have something specific in mind.
How does long-stay pricing work?
The daily rate steps down as the hire gets longer. Built that way because the work around each hire — handover, briefing, return inspection — doesn't really scale with the length of the trip. A four-week hire is barely more admin than a one-week one, and that gets passed back as a better rate per day. Full ladder on the long-stay page.
Can I come and look at the van before booking?
Yes — as long as the van's at the workshop and not already booked out. Send a message and we'll set a time. If you'd rather hear from previous hirers first, ask — happy to put you in touch with past customers for a reference.
Do you take pets?
Yes. Mention them when booking so the van comes back to a thorough clean at return inspection.
Can I take the van on unsealed roads?
Unsealed roads are fine — 4WD off-road tracks aren't. On dirt and gravel, keep it to 40–50 km/h. Anything that needs low-range, heavy clearance, or a winch isn't on the menu.
What's the cancellation policy?
The $250 reservation deposit is fully refundable if you cancel more than 10 days before pickup. Within 10 days of pickup, the deposit is forfeited. The bond is always refunded in full if cancelled before pickup. Full terms on the how-it-works page.
