Moving Interstate from Canberra: The One-Way Truck Hire Guide

Most people leaving Canberra weigh up two options: paying removalists, or driving a truck themselves. If you're happy to do the lifting, one-way truck hire is the simpler of the two. You collect a truck or van at Majura Park, drive it to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide, and hand the keys back at our depot there. Nobody has to drive it home.

What is one-way truck hire from Canberra?

One-way truck hire from Canberra means collecting a car-licence truck or van at our Majura Park pickup point and returning it at our depot in another city. You pay one flat, GST-inclusive package that includes the hire days, the kilometres and damage cover with a $6,500 excess, instead of paying for a return trip.

Where do you collect the truck in Canberra?

Our Canberra pickup point is Majura Park Shopping Centre at 18–26 Spitfire Avenue, on the western edge of the Canberra Airport precinct. You reach it from Majura Road, and IKEA is across the road. If you're heading to Sydney it's a good place to start: the Majura Parkway runs north from the precinct to the Federal Highway, so you're on your way without crossing town. The Majura Park pickup guide has directions and opening hours.

How far is it from Canberra?

• Sydney: 286 km, about 3 hours non-stop via the Federal Highway and the Hume.
• Melbourne: 662 km, about 7 hours via the Barton Highway to Yass, then the Hume.
• Adelaide: 1,161 km, about 12½ hours via the Hume and the Sturt Highway.
• Brisbane: 1,203 km, about 13 hours.

Those are non-stop driving times. A loaded truck sits below the speed limit more often than your car does, and you'll stop for fuel and food, so build in a buffer. Adelaide and Brisbane are two-day drives for almost everyone. Book the motel before you leave rather than hunting for one at 9 PM in a truck full of furniture.

Which day should you pick up?

Pickups and drop-offs run by appointment, Monday to Saturday, from 8:30 AM to the last appointment at 4:45 PM. We're closed on Sundays and on ACT public holidays, including Canberra Day (the second Monday in March) and Reconciliation Day (the Monday on or after 27 May). Over Christmas 2026 we're closed from 25 to 28 December, and on New Year's Day 2027.

The booking calendar won't offer a closed day, which helps. It can't fix a lease that ends on a Sunday, though. If yours does, pick up on the Saturday. One spare hire day costs less than a weekend on a mattress in an empty house.

Truck or van?

Everything in the one-way fleet drives on a standard car licence, so the question is size, not paperwork. A van handles a studio or a one-bedroom flat. Anything bigger wants the truck, and the moving trucks seat up to three people, so the household can ride along with the load. We go through the trade-offs in truck or van for an interstate move.

What does the package include?

Each route is one flat price, GST included. It covers a set number of hire days and kilometres, plus damage cover with a $6,500 excess. A refundable security bond applies, and we explain it before you pay. If the move needs longer, add days or kilometres when you book rather than finding out on the road.

A Canberra moving checklist

1. Measure the fridge, the couch and anything else that might not fit before you choose a vehicle.
2. Book a weekday or Saturday pickup, not the Sunday your lease ends.
3. Read the confirmation email: it has the exact meeting spot at Majura Park, a Google Maps pin and the name and number of the person meeting you.
4. Bring your driver's licence and the payment card in the main driver's name. We check the physical card.
5. Plan the overnight stop for Adelaide or Brisbane before you go.
6. Leave time to unload in daylight at the other end.

For the full list, see the interstate moving checklist.

Ready to price it? Every Canberra route is on the Canberra one-way hire page. Call 03 8560 7038 if you'd rather talk it through.