Rent a little, rent a lot – You can rely on Redspot!
Need a reliable vehicle to get the job done in Cairns? Whether you’re heading on a group camping trip or looking to transport heavy furniture, a ute hire is versatile, easy to drive and built for heavy transport. With 24/7 roadside assistance and unlimited km on your ute, we’ll make it easy to transport your cargo in Cairns.
Redspot is Australia’s largest family-run rental car business. From our humble start as a single ute rental in Sydney, we’ve opened branches all across the nation. Today, we offer well-maintained, high-quality single-cab, dual-cab or mine-spec utes for hire at Cairns Airport.
Unlimited Kms
Get the job done with unlimited km on each ute hire.
Moving accessories:
Hire straps, trolleys, moving boxes and more to make your haul easier to manage.
Carry bulky items
Our utes can carry 1,050 to 1,240 kg depending on the vehicle.
Drive a ute with a standard licence
You can drive a Redspot ute on a standard ‘C-class’ driver’s licence.
Meet our Fleet.
At Redspot, our ute fleet is reliable, durable and fully equipped to meet your needs.
Measure Up! Utes Built for Every Job
Whether you have a midcentury sideboard to move or a tradie construction job to finish, you can get a spot on ute hire with the right measurements.
| Single Cab Ute (Toyota Hilux Workmate or Similar) | Dual Cab Ute (Toyota Hilux Workmate or Similar) | Mine Specific Ute | |
| Seat Capacity | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Tray Size | 2.4m (L) x 1.8m (W) | 1.8m (L) x 1.5m (W) | 1.8m (L) x 1.8m (W) |
| Key Advantages | Maximises cargo space | Great cargo space with comfortable seats | Safety, durability and performance on work sites |
| Best For | Moving house, transporting bulky items or tradie work. | Longer drives, camping trips, group travel. | Mining work. |
Note that our ute fleet is subject to change, and measurements are a guide only.
Why hire a ute in Cairns?
Our ute hires in Cairns can carry up to 1,240 kg of cargo, and are easier to drive, more versatile, and more fuel efficient than a box truck rental. Due to the vehicle’s smaller size, it is also much easier to drive in the busy city streets of Cairns. A dual cab ute is also a great fit for rugged camping across Cairns or a road trip through the Daintree Rainforest.
Whether you need an additional ute to meet delivery demands or you want to move furniture on your own schedule, Redspot has quality cars to help you move smarter and faster.
Steer your own home move
Hire a self drive moving ute to take charge of your own move. Our vehicles have a minimum hire period of 24 hours, so you can move homes at your own pace without waiting on a moving company. With our add-on moving accessories and plenty of cargo space, our dual or single-cab utes can make light work of your hard labour.
Take control of renovations
Make your DIY renovation dreams a reality with a Cairns ute hire. Whether you’re picking up new fixtures from Bunnings or antique chairs from the Salvos, a self-driving ute can help you transport your load across the city in no time.
Tradie ute rental
If your fleet needs more capacity but you don’t want to commit to a lock-in contract or sale, a tradie ute hire could be just what you need. Using our Redspot Connect business account, you have a platform to quickly and easily manage all your contracts and bookings. We also understand that you don’t have time to waste; that’s why we offer a 15-second checkout process from Redspot branches if you have a business account.
Commercial ute hire
If you are a plumber or electrician and your fleet is at full capacity for an upcoming job, a ute hire can help reduce your downtime. We offer flexible contracts, a streamlined hiring process with a business rental account and single and dual cab vehicles. We’re here to make finding the right vehicle for your business quick and hassle-free.
Mine spec ute hire Cairns
Redspot works with Aussie mine spec ute experts to ensure our vehicles are fully equipped and meet compliance standards on any worksite. Our utes are geared to handle rough terrain across Queensland, with heavy-duty suspensions, rollover protection (ROPS) and high visibility markings. Transport your bulky items from site to site easily with a 1.8m x 1.9m tray size and a carry weight of 1,050kg.
Load up with Redspot’s red-hot value packages!
Standard Package
Need something a little more simple but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $6,200 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- 150km per day
- Additional drivers fee
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Super Package
This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built-in, our good value car rental package includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $1500 super liability excess*
- Additional windshield and headlight cover
- GST-inclusive
- 150km per day
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Terminology Key.
Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:
*Damage liability excess: ‘Amount reduced by’ is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected. See our Car Rental Cover page for more information.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
Where to hire a ute in Cairns
You can find quality ute hire right as you land from our Cairns Airport branches, only 12 minutes drive from our Cairns City branch. So you can avoid the city traffic as you pick up your ute. and If you’re departing, be sure to pick the car park that matches your outbound flight. That way, you don’t have to rush to the other terminal!
We have a minimum rental period of 24 hours and streamlined services for a stress-free pickup process.
What to know before you hire a ute in Cairns
Driving a ute for the first time can feel a bit daunting, especially if you’re used to zipping around in a compact car. Don’t worry — you can drive a ute with a standard driver’s licence. You may just need to make a few safe adjustments:
Give yourself extra space
Utes are generally longer than standard cars, so allow extra room when turning corners, changing lanes or parking.
Watch your blind spots
Adjust your mirrors before setting off and always do an extra check before changing lanes or merging.
Get familiar with the vehicle
A ute may feel higher and bulkier than what you’re used to, and the dashboard layout may be different. Take a moment to get comfortable before releasing the handbrake and heading off.
Bring your driver’s licence
Make sure you have a valid driver’s licence and a credit card when picking up your ute hire. Rental vehicles require a credit card at pick-up for pre-authorisation. If you’re planning on adding extra drivers, they’ll need to bring their valid licences too, so you can share the driving duties.
U-turns
In Queensland, you can only perform a U-turn where there is no sign prohibiting it. At traffic lights, U-turns are not permitted unless a sign specifically allows them. You must give way to all other road users, including bicycles, personal mobility devices and pedestrians. Keep in mind the larger size of your ute and check your blind spots carefully.
Avoid distractions
From November 2025, Queensland introduced fines and demerit points for drivers caught drinking coffee or other beverages while driving, as it’s considered a distraction that can affect reaction time. Avoid eating, drinking or holding objects while driving.
Inspect the ute
When collecting your vehicle, thoroughly inspect the ute and let our friendly team know about any existing issues. This helps prevent potential charges later and ensures you start your trip with confidence.
Plan your route
Utes are larger than regular cars and may not fit into all spaces. Plan your route in advance to avoid tunnel restrictions, tight areas or low clearances.
Cairns ute hire FAQs
How much to hire a ute in Cairns?
Exactly how much a ute hire costs varies depending on the season, the vehicle you are renting and exactly how long you are renting it for. Get a transparent upfront quote using our booking widget.
Do I need a specific driver’s licence to hire a ute?
No, you can hire any ute with a full, valid driver’s licence without any issues. To hire a ute in Cairns, you will need:
- A valid credit card or debit card* or purchase order/prepaid voucher**.
- A valid driver’s licence and the licence of any other drivers using the car. Licence not in English? Please present an official translation from your embassy or your home nation’s traffic authority.
- If your licence does not show your current address, please provide documented proof of address, such as a utility bill.
- If you are not an Australian citizen, you must provide your passport.
Unfortunately, you cannot hire a ute with a P-Plate licence.
Debit cards: Must have the customer’s name displayed, and the ability to make online payments, e.g. Visa or Mastercard debit cards.
What is the age requirement to hire a ute with Redspot?
You must be 25 years and over to hire a ute in Cairns. Unfortunately, young drivers between 21 and 25 can only hire small and standard car rentals.
Can you hire a ute to go one way?
Yes, you can hire a one-way ute from many of our branches across Australia! However, not all Redspot branches will have utes available in their fleet, so we may only offer one-way hires from select locations. Depending on where you are going, you can pick up your ute in Cairns and drop it off in Brisbane, Townsville and more.
Please be advised that one-way rentals typically come with a drop fee (aka a one-way fee) to cover the cost of moving the vehicle back to its initial location. This fee will be shown to you during your booking process, so you know what you are paying for from day one.
Interstate one-way rentals:
- You can book one-way ute hire between our East Coast branches (QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS), subject to vehicle availability.
Restricted state one-way rentals:
- Due to the remoteness of certain branches (NT, SA, WA), one-way hire is only available between Redspot branches within the state/territory from which it is rented.
For more info, contact our friendly team on 1300 668 810 or use our online form to discuss your ute hire options. We’d love to help you navigate your journey!
Can I book a long-term ute rental?
Yes, we offer long-term ute rentals for both personal use and businesses. Just enter your booking requirements or call our friendly team to help you find the right long-term booking for you.
Can I go beach camping with a Ute rental in Cairns?
No, unfortunately our terms and conditions explicitly prohibit driving vehicles on beaches, across creeks or through rivers. By driving in these restricted areas, you may violate the rental agreement and void your damage liability cover. See our terms and conditions for more information.
Can I book a long-term ute rental?
Yes, we offer long-term ute rentals for both personal use and businesses. Just enter your booking requirements or call our friendly team to help you find the right long-term booking for you.
