RC Cars for Sale in Australia

Experience the thrill of radio control with Australia's best range of RC cars. Whether you're looking for a high-speed brushless beast, a realistic rock crawler, or a beginner-friendly basher, we have the perfect model for you.

We stock thousands of vehicles from top brands like Traxxas, Arrma, and HSP, catering to all skill levels and budgets. Choose from electric, nitro, and petrol-powered options backed by our massive range of spare parts.

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About RC Cars for Sale in Australia

The Best RC Cars in Australia

At Hobbies Direct, we live and breathe radio control. Our massive selection of RC cars covers everything from palm-sized micro racers to massive 1/5 scale petrol giants. Unlike toy-grade cars found in department stores, our hobby-grade RC vehicles are built for performance, durability, and repairability. This means you can replace broken parts, upgrade components for more speed, and customise your ride to make it truly unique.

New to the hobby or shopping for someone who is? Hobby-grade means upgradeable and built to last; toy-grade remote control cars are simpler and ready to go straight out of the box for casual, younger drivers — both have their place, and our team can help you pick the right one.

Choosing Your Power Source

One of the first decisions you'll make is how you want to power your vehicle. We offer three main types:

Electric RC Cars: The most popular choice for both beginners and pros. They are quiet, clean, and easy to maintain.
- Brushed Motors: Great for beginners and younger drivers. They offer smooth power and are generally more affordable.
- Brushless Motors: The choice for speed freaks. Brushless systems are more efficient, require less maintenance, and can reach incredible speeds (some over 100km/h!).
Nitro RC Cars: Powered by a mixture of nitromethane and oil, these small engines scream with high RPMs and produce real exhaust smoke. They require tuning and maintenance, making them perfect for those who love mechanics.
Petrol RC Cars: These large-scale beasts run on standard unleaded petrol mixed with 2-stroke oil. They are big, loud, and run for ages on a single tank.

On-Road vs. Off-Road

Where do you want to drive? Your terrain determines the best chassis type for you:

Off-Road (Buggies, Truggies & Monster Trucks): Built to handle dirt, grass, gravel, and jumps. Monster trucks offer the best ground clearance for rough terrain, while buggies and truggies offer better handling and stability at high speeds. Browse our full range of off road RC cars to compare every option side by side.
Rock Crawlers: Designed for technical driving over rocks and trails. These aren't about speed; they are about torque, suspension articulation, and scale realism.
On-Road (Touring & Drift): strictly for smooth surfaces like bitumen, concrete, or carpet. Drift cars are specifically set up to slide sideways with hard plastic tyres, while touring cars are built for grip and racing lines.

Ready-to-Run (RTR) vs. Kits

Most of our RC cars are Ready-to-Run (RTR), meaning they come fully assembled with the radio gear installed. You usually just need to add batteries and a charger to get driving. For the true hobbyist who enjoys the build process, we also stock RC Kits. Building a kit gives you an intimate understanding of how your car works, making maintenance and repairs much easier down the track.

Top Brands & Spare Parts Support

We stock the world's leading RC brands, including Traxxas, Arrma, HSP, Tamiya, Axial, and Losi. The best part about buying from Hobbies Direct is our commitment to support. We stock thousands of spare parts and upgrades right here in Australia, so if you have a crash, we can get you back on the track fast.

FAQs for RC Cars

What's the best RC car for a beginner?

For most beginners, a ready-to-run (RTR) electric car is the way to go. They come with everything in the box — car, transmitter, battery and charger. Check out our beginner RC cars for models starting from around $150.

How much does an RC car cost?

Toy-grade RC cars start around $30-50. Hobby-grade ready-to-run cars range from about $150 to $1,500+ depending on brand, scale and features. Budget another $30-80 for a spare battery and a few replacement parts down the track.

What's the difference between 2WD and 4WD?

4WD cars grip better on loose surfaces and handle more predictably, but cost more and have more parts to maintain. 2WD cars are lighter, simpler and often faster in a straight line. For bashing and off-road, go 4WD — for on-road or budget builds, 2WD works well. Most beginner and all-rounder models on this page are 4WD.

Are RC cars good for kids?

For younger kids (5-8), look for a toy-grade or smaller scale like 1/18 or 1/24. For kids 10+, a hobby-grade 1/10 is fine — they're tougher than you'd expect and parts are easy to replace. Brushed electrics are the safest and simplest to start with, and our team can help you find an age-appropriate option.

Electric, nitro or petrol?

Electric is the easiest to run and maintain — ideal for beginners, faster, quieter and way less maintenance. Nitro and petrol reward those who enjoy tuning and mechanics, with real engine sound, smoke and longer run times, but need fuel, tuning and more cleanup. See "Choosing Your Power Source" above for the full breakdown, or our full comparison on the blog.

What size RC car should I buy?

Scale (like 1/18, 1/10 or 1/8) tells you the size relative to a real vehicle. Smaller scales are cheaper and easier to store; larger scales are tougher, faster, and easier to find spare parts for. 1/10 scale is the most popular all-round starting point for most drivers.