Australian 4WD Hire

We had a 4WD from Australian 4wd Hire for 15 days late Aug - early September and drove down from Darwin to Melbourne via Lawn Hill NP and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The vehicle we had was in excellent condition and performed really well on the trip.

Communication with the company was first rate - always a response to our queries via email within an hour and the security bond was also returned promptly (within a couple of days) after return of the vehicle.

We would have no hesitation in recommending Australian 4wd hire to other travellers - their customer service was outstanding.

We hired the FJ Cruiser for 10 days, picked up from Darwin, drove up to Wiligi Outstation in West Arnhemland, through to Mataranka, Daly River, Dundee and back to Darwin - we could not fault the car, all equipment was provided and was of good quality. Our bond was refunded very promptly, and we would highly recommend Australian 4wd Hire. Their service and response time to all enquires was fantastic.

We hired a 4wd from Australian 4wd Hire for 30 days in the summer of 2019. Driving from Darwin to Kakadu, then via Sawannah Way to Cairns and down to Sydney.
We had a lot of questions, but their customer service handled all questions very fast.
The car was very well maintained, and the rooftop tent are super easy to set up and take down. Camping chairs, table, stove and fridge witch are complementary are also well maintained.
Despite some quite negative reviews on the internet we decided to book anyway. REED THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS and stick to "the rules" then you will be perfectly fine. No worries
Security bond were payed back just within a couple of days.

We couldn't have had a better holiday and Australian 4wd Hire are absolutely a big part of it.
We will definitely use Australian 4wd Hire for our next 4wd adventure

Morten from Denmark

The online service team were very helpful and prompt in answering my questions. The payment of fees and bonds was streamlined, and the return of the bond was very quick (not all companies do this!). We received the exact vehicle we requested. There was one item missing and they refunded the amount at the ned of our booking without debate. We drove from Broome to Cape Leveque and back in complete comfort and safety.

This was the first time we used Australian 4WD however not the first time we have explored the Kimberleys
The advice , administrative contact were all top class and the vehicle was solid, very well equipped and we experienced absolutely no problems with it during the 10 day trip ( not even tyre problems )
The return of the vehicle was very efficient and the final account was calculated and returned immediately
Recommended

We are from the UK. We had read quite negative comments about Australian 4WD which did make us hesitate we must admit, and their T & C’s are quite intimidating, but we hired from them in 2016 to do the Gibb River Road, and then recently (June/July 2019) to do the Savannah Way across the Top End. (Darwin, Daly Waters, Borroloola, Hells Gate Roadhouse, Burketown, Karumba, Forsayth, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation, Mission Beach and finally Cairns). Both times we have had absolutely no problem, the vehicles have been tough and entirely suitable for the (sometimes) rough terrain and the staff very helpful, especially this time when we had to do an international bank transfer for the bonds. Although we have travelled quite a bit over the world we had never done that before, and the help from them made it much easier.

Although we didn’t use the camping equipment (we stayed in accommodation all the way) it was all there if we needed it, and the quotation to us both times left no doubt what we would get supplied with and all the details we needed.

We found the pick up and drop off agencies (Darwin and Cairns) to be an improvement on 2016 (the Darwin agency different from 2016), the pick up agency was very efficient in explaining all about the vehicle, except they wouldn’t, or couldn’t, explain how to get the vehicle into 4WD mode if we needed it, (the agency in 2016 did), and as there is no manual (although there is a way round this, which they did explain.)

We had to pay $10,000 bond ($5000 standard +$5000 remote access bond for where we were going) this money was returned within a few days after drop-off with no problems. We stuck rigidly to the T & C's to make sure there were no problems.

Other than no manual, the only other small problem we encountered was the lack of any sort of plate to put under the jack should we have needed it (we didn't!). The footprint of the jack supplied is quite small and we were concerned if we had to jack up on soft material that the jack would sink. In 2016 we 'obtained' a house brick after realising there may be a problem, which wasn't ideal, but all we could get at the time, this time we brought a 300 x 300 x5 mm steel plate with us from the UK !! 4WD have said they may consider something like this in the future.

Overall Australian 4WD did exactly what it said on the can !! very good.

Robin and Sue Cooper
Great Yarmouth
UK

We rented a Land Cruiser from Australian 4WD to drive from Broome to Darwin, including the Gibb River Road, and couldn’t have been happier. The vehicle was in great condition, had all the necessary equipment (including a compressor to adjust tire inflation), and was properly ruggedized for rough roads. The company's customer service and communication were also excellent. You can trust this company and the vehicle you rent from them. Highly recommend.

Australian 4WD Hire was very helpful in providing the right vehicle for our recent trip from the rugged KImberleys across on the Gibb River Road to Kakadu.
All financial transactions were dealt with in a professional manner and our bond was refunded promptly.
The robust and well fitted out Toyota Prado we hired was an ideal vehicle for us, particularly as it was fitted with tough commercial tyres that did not let us down, when other vehicles had no end of tyre problems.

This was the second time we have hired a 4WD from Australian 4WD Hire. The first time was to do Cape York and this time we explored the Kimberley via the Gibb and Kalumburu Rd to Mitchell Falls. The 4WD was collected from Broome with no problems. We had a thorough briefing and we had plenty of time to look the vehicle over. The complimentary camping equipment suited our needs and it was evident that some of the equipment was brand new. The Hilux was near new also and very comfortable. Our bond was returned promptly. Once again our experience with Aus 4WD Hire was seamless and we are already planning our next adventure!

Hi Vit
I would like to thankyou for all your help in getting our Toyota Hilux shocks repaired with minimum disruption to our holiday,this is our 2nd time renting from you and would have no hesitation using you for later trips,thanks again for a fantastic holiday.
Barry & Jen Davis

Dear Maryna and all at Australian 4WD Hire

Many thanks for processing our Security Bond refund so promptly.

We had a fabulous 3-week adventure in the Kimberley. The vehicle was so perfect for our itinerary that included the Gibb River Road and the so-called ‘road’ from the Great Northern Highway into Purnululu NP! It never let us down, and seeing many other identical vehicles on our travels instilled a very pleasing sense of security.

We were very pleased with your high level of service, both at pick-up and drop-off.
We have to say that here in the UK we had a real problem finding a car hire company that allowed us to drive our planned route. Our travel agent here, Travelbag, could not arrange a car for us, so we had to do all the research ourselves.
We were so relieved to come across your website, and found your representatives very communicative and efficient right from our first contact with yourselves.

We have various friends back here in the UK who are thinking of visiting Australia, and we have no hesitation in strongly recommending Australian 4WD Hire for their road trips. We would also use your services again if we were to plan another self-drive tour Down Under - this latest trip to the Kimberley was our fourth visit to Australia, and by far the most adventurous. We can’t stop coming back!

Once again, many thanks for making our Kimberley road trip so enjoyable, with the best vehicle we could possibly have had.

Peter and Penny Booth

Australia 4wd hire was great. They were easy and clear to communicate with and were very prompt on their responses. The website can be a bit confusing but once you submit a 'request' they'll get back to you within half a day.
We explored the Dampier Peninsula out of Broome and we had a comfortable and relaxed time driving the car, it was fast, efficient and a smooth ride.
The bond was refunded quickly and efficiently.
I would totally recommend this company for anyone wanting to explore roads that are off the beaten path! Thanks so much Australia 4wd!

The customer service was good. Effective and simple. Perfect.

Bonding and other payments were well managed. Certainly, I was not used to a transfer of advance on deposit (very often, credit card numbers are enough), but it went very well. Losses a little according to foreign currency rates that vary ... But, that's life ...

Yes, the vehicle has been received in accordance. In perfect working order. Would have needed a serious fridge cleaning before, but overall, very good. And above all very reliable. This is the main.

I used this vehicle for a trip on the southeast coast and in the back country towards different national parks. He perfectly met my needs. This vehicle was really reliable.

If I had to rebook a 4 * 4 in Australia, I will turn to this company again. I recommend.

I have nothing but praise for the operators of Australian 4wd Hire. The whole process from booking to the vehicle supplied and the bond refund where all first class. Broome to Darwin taking in beach driving, Gibb RIver Road, Bungle Bungles, Kakadu. We couldn't have attempted it without the service from Australian 4WD hire. They did everything in a professional manner and cant recommend them highly enough.

Customer service was great in communicating. Payments and bond were handled well. Vehicle was not what we had booked but it was an upgrade and it met our needs better than what we had booked. We would recommend Australian 4WD to other travellers.

This was the second time using Australian 4WD Hire out of Darwin and again my wife and I had a great time touring Kakadu the Katherine region and back up through the Litchfield National Park to Darwin.
We hired the FJ Cruiser again with a roof top tent this vehicle is comfortable got all you need for camping for two people.
One little tip, we shot to Spotlight in Darwin and bought a memory foam double mattress topper this made the roof top tent heaps better.
Back to the trip the boys at the pick up spot at J J's Car Hire were cool and remembered us from 12 months prier good work fellers they did well.
The Katherine Gorge, Cutta Cutta Caves Edith Falls a must to see also the Katherine Springs right in town good spot and you can get a great meal at the Pop Up Cafe next to the spings.
One other spot after Litchfield was Berry Springs beautiful warm springs running down into a huge deep pond a bit of history there to read as well very easy to get to.
I had no problems dealing with Australian 4WD Hire plenty of email correspondence and you can talk person to person on the phone and the security bond was back in my account within days of dropping the vehicle back.
On that not I would recommend Australian 4WD Hire for your next adventure have fun.

Our experience with Australian 4WD Hire was first class.

The process of booking, suitability of vehicle and equipment, accurate and prompt communications all reassured us that we could start our Tour with confidence.

This continued from collection in Broome till return in Darwin two weeks later with each Agent competent and diligent, in both parties interest.

Take care to read your agreement as it sets the tone in which you must operate. It is fair and suitable for the safety of all passengers, the vehicle and equipment.

Car Detailing prior to return will ensure you return the vehicle clean with wear and tear issues easy identifiable and a clear sign-off before you depart.

So glad we chose Australian 4WD Hire this time and will do again.

We used these guys for a 3 week, 7500km trip, Perth to Darwin. The service and value was outstanding and we were very happy with the experience. We highly recommend Australian 4WD to others and hope to use them again! Their local contact in Perth – from whom we collected the vehicle- was very good indeed and offered a lot of useful advice. We were also impressed with the Prado as a comfortable long-range vehicle and can’t praise it enough.

I would not recommend this 4wd hire company. I experienced some of the worst customer service I have experienced in a long time. The initial email after booking comes across as somewhat aggressive with phrases such as "If you choose to ignore this, and arrive prior to scheduled appointment, the agency will ask you to leave". The representatives at Broome were a bit unfriendly and abrupt. But so far 3 or 4 stars...

The real poor service was after I left with the car. They ask you to pack the car yourself which is fine, but the tent they provided was missing tent pegs, so we were unable to set up our tent on the first night. I did not realise they expected us to actually check all the equipment was working and check all the contents of the packs provided. Apparently this was in the fine print of the agreement - indeed it is. They do not provide any form of checklist or suitable location to facilitate this.

The rental centre was closed by the time we got back and had to spend the night in a hotel instead. I emailed them that night to explain the situation, and whilst I expected an apology and resolution to the situation, I was totally shocked with the response I received.

This was their response ,

"Please refer to bottom page 14 of your rental agreement (Camping gear and equipment) attached also all email that we send you way before you have arrived – we are not baby sitting service but off-road hire company – customers must pack their vehicle them self!!! I suggest you contact the agency today and go and get what is missing."

"we are not a baby sitting service" - I did not feel this was an appropriate way to respond to a customer

As you can imagine, I was a bit triggered by this response, but remained calm and went to the agency to sort it out. The first question as I walked in was "do you have an appointment?". When I said no, they didn't let me explain, and said sorry we will not be able to help you. Without just walking away I managed to highlight that all I needed was tent pegs, and then managed to convince them to give them to me, despite not having an "appointment"!

On a positive note, the car worked fine, and although you have to wash and clean the car yourself and return it at a strict appointment time, the return process and bond refund went smoothly.

However, I found the awful customer service to be a real downer on the holiday, and therefore would not recommend this company to anyone.

From booking to pick up and drop off, and return of bond Australian 4WD Hire were easy to communicate with, and provided excellent service. The vehicle and equipment were great.