Reliable Car Hire in Darwin, Local Mates You Can Trust

Making car rentals in Darwin simple, affordable, and personal.

darwin hire car cheap

Our Story

Cars 4 Mates started with a simple idea between two mates — Shayon and Shajid — right here in Darwin, NT. A couple of years ago, we noticed how tough it was for locals, students, and visitors to find affordable, flexible, and hassle-free car rentals. The big-name car rental darwin companies felt impersonal. Prices were confusing. And customer support? Usually just a call centre.

We wanted to change that. We kicked things off with just a couple of cars, a hands-on approach, and a big focus on service. We cleaned the cars ourselves, dropped them off when needed, and made sure every renter felt like more than just a booking.

Today, we’ve grown — but our values haven’t changed. We’re still local. Still personal. And still committed to making car rental easy, honest, and affordable. Whether you’re in Darwin for work, exploring the NT, Darwin city, Palmerston, Katherine National Park, Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park or just need a reliable ride — we’ve got your back.

Because for us, it’s not just about cars. It’s about people. And at Cars 4 Mates, we treat every customer like a mate.

 

What We Stand For

Locally Owned & Operated

We know Darwin, we live here, and we care about the people who do too so that's why we offer the best budget rental cars in darwin.

Rent When You Need

No lock-ins. Just daily, weekly, and monthly darwin rental options to suit your life.

Pickup & Drop-Off Options

Need the car delivered? We’ve got you covered — including Darwin Airport & local suburbs (fees may apply).

Quality You Can Trust

Our cars are inspected, cleaned, and ready to roll. No hidden issues, no drama.

Top Car Rental Questions

How does it works?

Send us an enquiry via our website, message, or call. We’ll confirm availability within 24 hours for all our 4wd cars in darwin.
If available, we’ll ask for your licence (front & back) and emergency contact.
Then we’ll send your agreement, invoice, and payment details.
Once paid (including the $250 refundable bond), your booking is confirmed — ready for pick-up or delivery.

You must:
• Be aged 21–75
• Have a valid license held for at least 2 years
• Provide a copy of your license (front and back)
• International renters must also provide a passport and visa copy

Yes — after-hours returns are available upon request. Just let us know, and we’ll walk you through the process. Vehicles remain your responsibility until inspected.
Yes — all cars must be returned with a full tank of fuel. Otherwise, a $55 refuelling fee + fuel cost applies.
Yes! We offer pick-up and drop-off across Darwin, Palmerston, and the airport. Delivery fees may apply depending on location.
No — towing or attaching anything to the vehicle is not permitted and breaches our rental terms.

Standard insurance is included with a $5,500 excess + admin fee.
You can reduce this to $2,000 by selecting our Reduced Excess option (for drivers aged 25+).
Drivers aged 21–24 will incur an additional $1,000 excess.

We provide 24/7 roadside assistance in Darwin and Palmerston for mechanical issues.
Outside metro areas, call-out fees apply.
For any serious accident or injury, please call 000 immediately.

You are responsible for any traffic fines, infringements, or tolls. An admin fee applies if we process fines on your behalf.
Pets are allowed only with prior approval. Additional cleaning fees apply if the car is returned with fur, odours, or mess.
Yes — our entire fleet consists of automatic vehicles for easy, stress-free driving.

A $250 refundable bond is required before pick-up. It’s returned within 10 business days if the car is returned on time, clean, and undamaged.

You can select your preferred vehicle type (e.g., hatchback, SUV, 7-seater), but exact models are subject to availability.

No — our vehicles cannot be used for rideshare (e.g., Uber, Didi) or delivery platforms.
Only if they are listed as an authorised driver and meet all rental requirements. Extra drivers must be approved before pick-up.
Late returns may incur a $25/hour fee, up to the daily rate. Let us know in advance if you need extra time — we’ll do our best to help.
No — we believe in transparent pricing. Any optional extras (like reduced excess or delivery fees) will be clearly explained before booking.