Having spent 4 days in NT last weekend, I thought I'd share my car hire experience, for the benefit (hopefully), of others.
Two mates and I had a full size 4WD from Europcar, which ended up being an 'NT Spec' Mitsubishi Pajero GLX, with a second spare tyre mounted on the roof and a proper steel bull bar. We travelled 1,400km, picking up from DRW airport, travelling to Litchfield NP, via Berry Springs, with a side trip to Surprise Falls, then to Jabiru, with a day trip to Jim Jim Gorge and Twin Falls, then back to DRW airport.
Prior to the trip, we decided on a 4WD as we wanted to go to Jim Jim and also wanted the flexibility to get to places only a 4WD can get you to (Surprise Falls fitted this category). We were initially looking at an unlimited km deal, through ntstandby or territorydiscoveries, which meant a an auto Toyota Prado with Budget (which was the cheapest), a manual Prado through Hertz (manual appealed!), a Mitsubishi Pajero through Europcar, or something through Thrifty. Thrifty was discounted straight away due to a bad experience a couple of years ago (appalling customer service, bordering on arrogance). Closer to the time, standard 100km/day rates fell significantly and it became apparent that they would be cheaper than the unlimited km rates.
Then it came to the conditions!
Hertz specifically prohibit driving to Jim Jim and Twin and have a Single Vehicle Accident excess that it didn't appear possible to remove (no MAX cover appeared available in DRW), so they were quickly ruled out, given where we wanted to go and the higher chance of a single vehicle accident on dirt roads.
That left Europcar, Avis and Budget.
Budget - conditions allow driving on gravel roads and don't prohibit driving on any roads in NT (e.g. Jim Jim), but do prohibit driving outside cities at night (which wasn't an issue, since we didn't plan on driving at night). To be sure, I rang the airport branch and asked whether there were any conditions for driving in NT and specifically whether I was allowed to drive on the gravel road to Jim Jim. I was advised by the person I spoke to that driving to Jim Jim was not allowed. I asked where this was in their terms and was advised to contact the manager by e-mail, in a tone that was almost rude. After contacting Avis (see below), I sent the mgr an e-mail explaining what I'd been advised and requesting clarification, based on my reading of the terms, not expecting a reply. To my surprise, the mgr (Phil) responded the next morning, advising that I was correct - there was nothing in their terms that prohibited driving to Jim Jim, but they preferred I didn't. Very different to what I'd previously been advised! They ended up being ruled out as I didn't find the Prado comfortable to drive.
Avis - similar to Budget (not surprising, given they are both owned by the same company!), conditions allow driving on gravel roads and don't prohibit driving on any roads in NT (e.g. Jim Jim). They were initially my preferred option, as I have a preferred membership and they have Pajero's, which I'd driven at the start of this year to Lake Eyre and knew I'd fit in. Again, I rang to clarify whether I could drive to Jim Jim. Again, I was initially told I could not. I asked to speak to the mgr and was advised to ring the city location, again, in a tone that was bordering on rude. I rang the city location and the mgr (Darren or Damian) answered the phone - I advised what I had been told by the airport staff, which appeared to contradict the conditions. His immediate response was that driving to Jim Jim was not allowed and that he would cancel my reservation if I liked! I said that there was no need to be nasty - I was seeking clarification. I asked where in the conditions it was prohibited - he replied the conditions prohibit driving through river/creeks. I advised it was my understanding no river crossings were required to get to Jim Jim, only Twin. He said that he had not driven the road, but my rental agreement would be stamped prohibiting driving to Jim Jim! He also stated that they had written three cars off in the area this year, as justification for the prohibition. His attitude was rude and arrogant. If they don't want people driving there, they should amend their terms, as Hertz have done. Avis ended up being ruled out due to the arrogance of the mgr.
Europcar - conditions prohibit driving from Jim Jim to Twin. Given my Avis and Budget experiences, I again rang and was again initially advised that driving to Jim Jim was not allowed. When I advised the terms say otherwise, the person initially tried to look it up. I asked could I speak to the mgr, to which I was advised politely that the mgr was not contactable, but I could call the city branch and speak to the mgr there, who was knowledgeable/experienced. I rang and spoke to the mgr (Hayley), who was friendly, knowledgeable and polite! She confirmed my understanding and advised that provided I purchased 4WD cover for about $20 a day, I was covered to drive to Jim Jom but not Twin, due to the river crossing and the poor road from the river to Twin.
I ended up using Europcar's standard rates with the Privilege 10% discount, which ended up costing $920 but was still significantly cheaper than the unlimited km rates through Europcar (although slightly more expensive than the unlimited km rate through Budget). Unless you are doing an exorbitant amount of km in a very short time, they don't appear worth it.
I also found that greataussieholidays.com.au had reasonable unlimited km rates through Avis, with a $1,950 excess. It appears to be the Qld tourism website, but they had car hire for NT as well.
Having now driven to Jim Jim, the road is very good for 80% (good enough to drive at 100km/h), then for the last section, it becomes a real 4WD road. We did cross the river and drive to Twin, which was no worse than the last the section to Jim Jim. The river crossing was 550mm deep was well within the capabilities of the Pajero, which can ford to a depth of 700mm.
We had no issues.
Hope this is of some help to other members.
. I also like the I30s from Avis, they are a nice car and would take it over an Epica which Hertz often given me.
