Apollo adds roof-top renter

Introduced this month, the new Apollo Overlander is available for pick up from Apollo depots at Alice Springs, Broome, Cairns, Darwin and Perth from $123 per day.

Unlike the strictly two-berth HiLux-based Adventure campervan and pop-top Trailfinder already offered by the popular rental company, the new Overlander can sleep up to five under canvas.

Like the Trailfinder the Overlander is built on the trusty Toyota 70 series Landcruiser, albeit the five-seat wagon variant rather than the two-door Troop Carrier.

The two-berth roof-top tent features a drop-down annex that can sleep an additional three on the ground on foam mattresses.

Designed for “families who want a 4WD adventure with the basics”, there’s only cold water from the 25 litre tank, and no shower or toilet facilities, although it does come standard with cooking and eating utensils.

The standard rental package also includes a side awning, 45 litre fridge/freezer, and two burner portable gas stove.

For those with children the vehicle can be fitted with restraints for those aged between six months and under eight years.

The 4WD Overlander is perfect for off-road touring with a turbocharged 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine, manual transmission and 130 litre fuel tank, although the rental agreement precludes driving it on iconic 4WD routes like the Old Telegraph Road in Cape York and the Canning Stock Route in Western Australia.

You'll also need special permission from Apollo to take it on less demanding roads like the Oodnadatta Track in South Australia.

Apollo said demand for multi-berth 4WDs had increased significantly over the past five years, both from domestic and international markets, with major rival Britz also adding a similarly-specced, rooftop-tented 4WD vehicle to its range about six months ago.