OUR STORY
Hello and welcome to Hire A Kombi
We are George + Alyce, the founders + still to this day the full time workers at Australia's longest operating and most trusted self drive kombi hire company.
I, Alyce was a born + raised Queenslander who grew up on the land which gave me from an early age an appreciation for freedom and the joy it brought me.
Always being a lover of all things vintage and quirky I finally took the steps to buying my dream car, a volkswagen kombi camper.
With journalism and tourism roles in my life I was a girl who loved to travel and found peace in dusty roads leading to my next unknown meeting of someone with a captivating story.
In 2010 at 24 years old, I called George because I liked the kombi he was selling on Car Sales. I never expected my life to become so colourful with this man.
He had a kind voice + listened to why I wanted a kombi and said I'm sorry this kombi isn't for you, you need a camper. I have one but I can't sell it as I'm going to start a business with it.
George from a young age wanted trees, hills and oceans however he was born + bred in the brick lined outer Northern Suburbs of Melbourne.
In 2004 he was working as a mechanic at a car hire company in Queensland + thought he'd come up with the best idea ever which was to hire kombi's however his employer didn't feel the same enthusiasm.
In 2008 he had an opportunity to attend a personal development course which is where he was given some advice that curved his life for the better., which was to become passionate about finding his passion.
He uncovered Kombi's was in fact his passion + 4 years down the track he was still feeling this business idea would bring joy and the lifestyle he wanted.
In 2010 when I called George he was at a low point in his life. Working on his house to sell + no desire to restore a kombi for anyone, he couldn't shake our conversation so he decided to sell me his camper.
I was over the moon when George called me. Without a single patient bone in my body I flew to Victoria to see his white 1974 kombi with no engine or wheels but when I sat in the drivers seat I was in love. I felt JOY!
George and I spent the next four months discussing what I needed done to the kombi to have it capable of driving around Australia with me behind the wheel solo.
In this time I was realising + resisting (haha he was Victorian) the feeling that I was attracted to George and his vintage, quirky personality.
When he delivered the kombi to me in the Whitsundays he found himself thinking oh no I think I like this kombi chick.
I had painted the kombi yellow, named it Applejack + said goodbye to sunrises and hello to sunsets around Australia with the feeling of freedom in my heart and dirt on my feet. I felt free + happy.
I drove back into George's life in 2011 and by 2012 we were expecting a baby girl and had a lovely German backpacker build our website in exchange for a place to stay.
In September 2012 we had our first enquiry to Hire A Kombi. I had thought George was crazy to let anyone else drive our kombi's but we soon became partners, parents and business grew.
With George's passion for kombi's and the ability to fix everything on them and my knowing of how much joy a kombi had brought me we knew it was an experience we wanted to share with you all.
We moved our business and two kids to the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria where our kombi's have been travelling down the iconic Great Ocean Road, through Victoria, NSW, QLD + SA.
All our kombi's are automatic + used for camping / marketing / photoshoots / weddings / chuauffeuring services / glamping
We are so grateful for you choosing us to experience a kombi in. We have kept the original engines in all our kombi's to keep the authentic experience and provide 24/7 support on your trip.
Hats for the Road
Meet the Camp Bodhi Hat by Will + Bear – an ideal companion for any road tripper! This earthy, durable, and sustainable bucket hat is made from 100% hemp, designed by our friends @willandbear, @theslowroad_, and @wanderingfolk to capture the spirit of the road. Enjoy 10% off on any Will + Bear purchase using our exclusive code HIREAKOMBI
TRAVEL DOWN OLD ROADS & SOAK UP NEW MEMORIES
"WE HAD THE MOST INCREDIBLE TRIP"
JOIN THE FAMILY
Sign up to get good vibes & the latest on our family fleet!
