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Spaceships Rentals Campervan Hire
Compact, car-like campervans for 2 to 4, for drivers from 18, with free one-way hires in Australia and NZ.
Price range
Budget
Founded
2004, New Zealand
Countries
Australia, New Zealand
Vehicle types
Campervan
Sleeps
2 to 4
Best for
Couples and young drivers who want a small, easy-to-drive van
About Spaceships
Spaceships Rentals started in New Zealand in 2004 and opened in Australia in 2008. It is privately owned and not part of thl, JUCY or any listed rental group. It rents from eight depots in Australia and two in New Zealand, and most pick-ups are self-service, around the clock.
Most Spaceships are converted Toyota Estima people movers that drive like a car and sleep two inside, with bedding, a fridge and cooking gear included. In Australia the Beta 4-berth adds a rooftop tent for two more, and in New Zealand three models, including the VW Cosmo pop-top, are certified self-contained with a toilet. Every hire includes unlimited kilometres and there is no one-way fee.
Is Spaceships a good choice?
Spaceships suits couples, solo travellers and young drivers who want something easy to drive and park: you can hire from 18 with no young driver fee, and extra drivers are free. Its Google branch ratings average 4.6 out of 5 across about 1,500 reviews. The trade-offs are a small living space, older Estimas in the budget range and no shower in any model, so compare JUCY or Britz if you need more room.
Search below and we compare Spaceships' live prices with other brands, with current hot deals applied automatically.
Spaceships campervan hire in Australia
Spaceships Australia rents four Toyota Estima campervans, all automatic: the Alpha (the oldest and cheapest), the Beta Standard with a rear seat so four can travel, the two-seat Beta 2S with more room in the back, and the Beta 4-berth with a rooftop tent. None has a toilet or shower, and new Estimas move down the range as they age.
There is no one-way fee between any of the eight depots, but a AU$200 location fee applies to hires that start or end in Adelaide, Airlie Beach, Hobart or Perth. Changing the return depot after pick-up costs AU$150 to AU$500.
Depot addresses
Unit 9/125 Hayward Avenue, Torrensville SA 5031
24/7 self-service pick-up; operates from Adventure Rentals; AU$200 location fee
1/384 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
9am-6pm daily, no after-hours; keys at Travel Shack; AU$200 location fee
1 Hawksford Road, Cambridge TAS 7170
24/7 self-service pick-up; near Hobart Airport; AU$200 location fee
101 President Street, Welshpool WA 6106
24/7 self-service pick-up; operates from Adventure Rentals; AU$200 location fee
Opening hours
Pick-up and drop-off are self-service 24/7 at every depot except Airlie Beach, which runs 9am to 6pm with no after-hours service. Staff are on site 9am to 4pm on weekdays. There are no airport shuttles, though direct bookings of 21 days or more get the airport transfer paid. Adelaide and Perth run from Adventure Rentals' premises, and Airlie Beach keys are collected from Travel Shack.
Vehicles
Campervan
Spaceships Alpha
Budget Toyota Estima campervan using the oldest vans in the fleet, double bed extendable to 2.3 m, fridge and cooking gear included.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Spaceships Beta Standard
Toyota Estima with a rear bench so four can travel with seatbelts while two sleep inside; fits one child seat.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Spaceships Beta 2S
Newest Australian Estima with two seats only, giving more room in the back, plus Bluetooth stereo and rear awning.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Spaceships Beta 4-Berth
Estima with a rooftop tent for two above the inside double bed, four seats and one child seat; the only Spaceships that sleeps four.
Day layout
Night layout
Spaceships campervan hire in New Zealand
Spaceships NZ rents five models: the Beta and Dream Sleeper Mini, the Beta 2S Self-Contained, the newer Sigma and the VW Cosmo pop-top, the only 3-berth and the only model available as a manual. The Beta 2S Self-Contained, Sigma and Cosmo are certified self-contained with a fixed toilet, so you can freedom camp where it's allowed.
One-way hires between Auckland and Christchurch have no fee. The Sigma and Cosmo carry higher bonds and cover prices than the classic Estimas.
Depot addresses
5 Aintree Avenue, Mangere, Auckland 2022
24/7 self-service pick-up; about 4 km from the airport, no free shuttle
160 Orchard Road, Harewood, Christchurch 8051
Pick-ups here until 26 Nov 2026, then from 16 Workshop Road, Belfast
Opening hours
Staff are on site 9am to 5pm, seven days from October to April and Monday to Saturday from May to September, and the depots close on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Pick-up and drop-off are self-service 24/7. There is no free airport shuttle, and from 27 November 2026 Christchurch moves to 16 Workshop Road, Belfast.
Vehicles
Campervan
Spaceships Beta
Cheapest NZ Spaceship: Toyota Estima with four belted seats, inside double bed for two and an ISOFIX point; not self-contained.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Spaceships Dream Sleeper Mini
Estima with a fixed rear kitchen and sink, 41 L fridge, 2.2 m bed and roof solar panel; not self-contained.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Spaceships Beta 2S Self-Contained
Two-seat Estima certified self-contained under the Green Warrant rules, with fixed toilet, water tanks and roof solar.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Spaceships Sigma
Newest self-contained Estima with cassette toilet, inverter, solar, reversing camera, CarPlay stereo and internal table.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Spaceships Cosmo VW
VW Transporter T6 pop-top with large double plus roof bed, kitchenette, toilet under the bed and diesel heater; also bookable as a manual.
Day layout
Night layout
Vehicle specs, floor plans, photos, depot addresses, opening hours and fees come from Spaceships and can change at any time. Please confirm the details when you book.
Current deals
Pros, cons and good to know
Pros
- Drivers can hire from 18 with no young driver fee, and extra drivers are free
- No one-way fee between any depots in either country
- Self-service pick-up and drop-off 24/7 at every depot except Airlie Beach
- Unlimited kilometres, with bedding, a fridge and cooking gear included
- Estima-based vans drive like a people mover rather than a motorhome
- Three New Zealand models are certified self-contained with a fixed toilet
Cons
- Small living space: most models sleep only two, and none has a shower
- No Australian model has a toilet
- The standard bond is $5,000 unless you buy extra cover
- No airport shuttles, and staff are on site only during business hours
Good to know
- Driver age: 18 or over, with no young driver fee; in Australia your licence must have been held for at least 6 months
- Licence: full licence; non-English licences need an International Driving Permit or an approved translation
- Bond: $5,000 with the included cover in both countries, lowered by Partial cover and removed by Stress-Free cover; in Australia it is held on your card, not charged
- Location fee: AU$200 when Adelaide, Airlie Beach, Hobart or Perth is at either end of an Australian hire
- Roads: sealed roads only in Australia; in New Zealand gravel roads are allowed, but only Stress-Free cover protects you there, and three named roads are banned
Compare prices and book
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Spaceships Rentals?
Spaceships is privately owned and started in New Zealand in 2004. The NZ business, Spaceships Limited, is held by two Christchurch private holding companies, and the Australian side trades as Spaceships Australia Pty Ltd. It is not part of thl or JUCY.
Where are Spaceships' depots?
In Australia Spaceships has depots in Adelaide, Airlie Beach, Brisbane, Cairns, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. In New Zealand it has Auckland and Christchurch. There are no depots in Darwin, Broome or Alice Springs.
How much is the Spaceships bond?
The standard Spaceships bond is $5,000 in both Australia and New Zealand. Partial cover cuts it to $3,000 and Stress-Free cover removes it. In New Zealand the newer Sigma and Cosmo carry higher bonds of NZ$6,000 and NZ$7,500 on basic cover.
Can you hire a Spaceship at 18?
Yes, Spaceships rents to drivers from 18 with no young driver surcharge. In Australia your licence must have been held for at least 6 months, probationary licences are accepted and learner permits are not.
Which Spaceship sleeps four?
Only the Australian Beta 4-berth, which adds a rooftop tent for two above the inside bed. Every other model sleeps two, apart from the 3-berth Cosmo pop-top in New Zealand.
Are Spaceships self-contained in New Zealand?
Three New Zealand models are certified self-contained: the Beta 2S Self-Contained, the Sigma and the Cosmo VW, each with a fixed toilet. The Beta and Dream Sleeper Mini are not, so you need a campsite with facilities at night.
Do Spaceships have a toilet or shower?
No Spaceship has a shower. The three self-contained New Zealand models have a fixed toilet, and no Australian model has one.
Does Spaceships charge a one-way fee?
No, one-way hires are free between any depots in both countries. In Australia a AU$200 location fee applies when Adelaide, Airlie Beach, Hobart or Perth is the start or end of the hire.
Can I pick up a Spaceship after hours?
Yes, pick-up and drop-off are self-service 24/7 at every depot except Airlie Beach, which runs 9am to 6pm. You need to complete online check-in at least one business day before.
Does Spaceships have an airport shuttle?
No, Spaceships has no airport shuttles. In Australia, direct bookings of 21 days or more get the airport-to-depot transfer paid, and in New Zealand hires of 28 days or more get a NZ$20 transfer credit.
Are Spaceships campervans automatic?
Yes, every Estima-based Spaceship is automatic. The Cosmo VW in New Zealand can be booked as an automatic or a manual.
Can I take a Spaceship to Tasmania?
Yes, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry is allowed, and Spaceships also has a depot near Hobart Airport. Remember the AU$200 location fee if your hire starts or ends in Hobart.