Alpha Budget
Compact camper car
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- No
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Compare Spaceships Rentals with other motorhome hire companies
Spaceships Rentals review
Compact camper cars are the core of Spaceships Rentals, with separate ranges in Australia and New Zealand.
Profile reviewed and updated on
Background
Company overview
Spaceships began in New Zealand in 2004 by converting Toyota Estima people movers into small camping vehicles with a bed, kitchen and storage. The Australian operation launched in 2008, extending that compact-car approach to another market.
The Australian and New Zealand businesses are separate companies with their own reservations, local teams and rental conditions. Their vehicle names can look similar, but the equipment and category choices differ. A Beta 2S in Australia, for example, is not the same proposition as New Zealand’s self-contained version.
The brand also operated in the UK and Europe, launching its UK business in 2009. That rental operation ended in October 2025; the UK website continues as a road-trip blog. Australia and New Zealand remain the current rental markets.
Our verdict
Editorial review
A Spaceships rental trades indoor living space for a vehicle that remains close to an everyday car in size. The camping layouts make useful use of that footprint, but the approach depends on being comfortable spending part of the day outside. It becomes less appealing when the vehicle also needs to provide room to stand, cook and settle in during cold or wet weather.
The rental experience also depends on how comfortable the traveller is with preparation. Arranged self-service collection can make arrival times easier to manage, while leaving more of the initial learning to the renter. Selected customer accounts from Australia and New Zealand describe useful assistance and practical vehicles, alongside reports of equipment faults and uneven problem resolution. That supports a positive but measured assessment of the service, rather than an assumption that a simple vehicle means an entirely hands-off rental.
Good points
- Small vehicles with distinct camping layouts.The Estima categories offer different uses of limited space, from a removable rear kitchen to the Dream Sleeper Mini’s fixed kitchen and swivel seats. Choosing within the range can change how the vehicle works at camp without requiring a much larger vehicle.
- Useful one-way choices.Eight Australian bases give the network reach beyond a single coast, including Perth and Hobart. New Zealand’s Auckland and Christchurch bases support a trip between the two islands. One-way bookings can avoid returning to the starting point, subject to the route and reservation.
- Flexibility around staffed opening hours.Prearranged self-service collection and return are available at enabled bases in both countries. This is useful for arrival schedules that fall outside a staffed handover, although Airlie Beach has a fixed daytime access window.
Things to consider
- Four sleepers do not all sleep inside.The Australian Family category adds capacity through a rooftop tent, with only two sleeping places inside the vehicle. A group of four therefore needs to be comfortable splitting between the cabin and the roof rather than sharing one enclosed interior.
- Basic liability can substantially exceed the bond.The stated total-loss liability under Basic is more than three times the bond in Australia and for the established New Zealand families. The amount held on the card therefore does not express the full potential exposure, while zero-bond upgrades still retain exclusions.
- Self-service may feel less reassuring on a first camper trip.The selected customer accounts include both easy collections and a report that the process felt impersonal or overwhelming for a beginner. An after-hours pickup is best suited to someone willing to follow the instructions and learn the vehicle without relying on staff being there.
Vehicle categories
Spaceships Rentals fleet
Beta Standard
Compact camper car
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- No
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Beta 2S Premium
Compact camper car
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- No
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Family / Beta 4 Berth Rooftop
Compact camper car with rooftop tent
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- No
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Beta Original / Budget
Compact camper car
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Beta 2S Self-Contained
Compact camper car
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Dream Sleeper Mini
Compact camper car
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Sigma Self-Contained
Compact camper car · announced from 1 October 2026
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Cosmo Automatic
Pop-top campervan · announced from 1 October 2026
- Seats
- 3
- Sleeps
- 3
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
Cosmo Manual
Pop-top campervan · announced from 1 October 2026
- Seats
- 3
- Sleeps
- 3
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Manual
The established Spaceships range is built around compact Toyota Estima conversions, with most categories sleeping two people. The differences are mainly in how the interior is used and how the vehicle works once parked, rather than in a progression towards large motorhomes.
In Australia, Alpha Budget has the simpler interior. Beta Standard retains four travel seats but sleeps two, while Beta 2S Premium removes the rear seat to create more storage for a pair. Family adds two sleeping places in a rooftop tent, bringing both travel and sleeping capacity to four. All four categories are two-wheel drive; the rooftop tent does not make Family a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Bedding and cooking equipment are included, with two bedding sets in Family, but towels are not.
New Zealand offers a different set of choices. Beta Original / Budget has a removable rear kitchen. Beta 2S Self-Contained adds a fixed cassette toilet, a cold-water sink and separate fresh- and grey-water tanks. Dream Sleeper Mini instead emphasises the camp kitchen, with a fixed rear setup, a larger 41-litre fridge and swivel seats; it is not self-contained. Beta 2S Self-Contained and Dream also have solar charging, so the electrical setup should not be assumed to match the Australian vehicles.
New Zealand categories announced for 1 October 2026
Sigma keeps the Estima format while adding an inverter and onboard battery monitoring. Cosmo moves to a Volkswagen T6 pop-top, with a 75-litre fridge and campsite mains connection. These planned additions are announced from 1 October 2026, not part of the established offer before that date.
Locations
Spaceships Rentals pickup locations
Open each country to see its pickup locations.
Australia
-
Adelaide Adventure Rentals, Unit 9, 125 Hayward Avenue, Torrensville SA 5031
-
Airlie Beach Travel Shack, 1/384 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
-
Brisbane 31 Bunya Street, Eagle Farm QLD 4009
-
Cairns 52 Fearnley Street, Portsmith QLD 4870
-
Hobart 1 Hawksford Road, Cambridge TAS 7170
-
Melbourne 42 Macaulay Street, Williamstown North VIC 3016
-
Perth Adventure Rentals, 101 President Street, Welshpool WA 6106
-
Sydney 1717 Botany Road, Banksmeadow NSW 2019
New Zealand
-
Auckland 5 Aintree Avenue, Māngere, Auckland 2022
-
Christchurch 160 Orchard Road, Harewood, Christchurch 8051
Before booking
Practical facts
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Driver eligibility | The minimum age is 18 in both countries. In Australia, Spaceships accepts provisional licences with at least six months’ tenure; foreign licences require the original document and a translation or international driving permit where required. |
| Distance allowance | The Australian direct offer includes distance without a kilometre surcharge. This does not remove regional depot fees or charges associated with an unapproved route or return. |
| One-way rentals | An Auckland–Christchurch rental can be booked without a one-way supplement. Australia also advertises no one-way supplement, but Adelaide, Airlie Beach and Hobart attract an AUD 200 regional depot service fee. An approved change of Australian return base can cost AUD 150–500. |
| Australian protection and bond | Under the Australian protection products introduced on 1 December 2025, Basic has no daily protection charge, an AUD 5,000 bond/excess and stated total-loss liability of AUD 18,000. Partial costs AUD 25 per day, with an AUD 3,000 bond/excess and AUD 9,000 stated total-loss liability. Stress Free costs AUD 35 per day and states zero bond and zero total-loss liability, subject to exclusions. Protection charges are capped at 50 days. A refundable bond is separate from the rental price. |
| New Zealand protection and bond | For the established Beta, Beta 2S and Dream families booked directly, Basic has no daily protection charge, an NZD 5,000 bond and stated total-loss liability of NZD 18,000. Stress-Free costs NZD 35 per day and states zero bond and zero total-loss liability, subject to exclusions. With Basic, the card hold is placed one day before pickup; its release depends on the vehicle’s condition and the rental terms. |
| New Zealand Cosmo road-user charges | For the diesel Cosmo categories announced in New Zealand from 1 October 2026, road-user charges apply in addition to the initial rental price. They are calculated from the distance travelled and charged after the rental. |
| Booking payments | Direct reservations require a 20% booking payment in both countries. For New Zealand, the remaining 80% is due at least seven days before pickup. This booking payment is separate from a damage bond. |
| Australian cancellation | For direct bookings, cancellation is free at least 22 days before pickup. The charge is 20% at 7–21 days, 50% at 1–6 days and 100% less than 24 hours before pickup. A two-year credit may apply to eligible cancellations; it is not a cash refund. |
| New Zealand cancellation | Direct terms provide a refund at least 22 days before pickup. At 7–21 days, the booking deposit becomes a transferable two-year credit. At 1–6 days, 50% of the rental becomes credit and payment above that amount is refundable. Same-day cancellation or a no-show converts 100% to credit. Intermediary bookings may have different conditions. |
| Out-of-hours collection | Enabled bases offer prearranged self-service pickup and return. In New Zealand, after-hours pickup is free when arranged in advance, but crossing midnight changes the rental day. Airlie Beach is accessible only from 09:00 to 18:00 daily, with no overnight access. Self-service access does not mean staff are present around the clock. |
| Airport transfers | Australian direct bookings of at least 21 days qualify for an arranged airport-to-base transfer without a separate charge; this is one direction only. In New Zealand, direct bookings of at least 28 days made from 1 July 2024 qualify for an NZD 20 transfer credit per location; the renter arranges the transport. These direct-booking benefits are not universal across booking channels. |
| Child restraints | In Australia, only Beta Standard and Family accept a child seat or booster, with a maximum of one compatible restraint. Alpha Budget and Beta 2S Premium do not take child seats. |
| New Zealand road restrictions | Gravel roads are permitted, but Skippers Canyon, Ball Hutt Road and Ninety Mile Beach are prohibited. Closed roads, beaches, fords and protection exclusions still require attention to the applicable rental rules. |
| Australian remote travel | Beaches and flooded, closed or restricted roads are prohibited unless expressly allowed. The optional Remote Recovery service costs AUD 300 per rental for a designated area of the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia and must be bought before travel. It does not pay for repairs, hotels, meals or flights, or extend permission to drive a particular road. |
| Roadside assistance | Australia has 24-hour RACQ assistance across states and territories; New Zealand has 24-hour NZRA assistance, including mechanical assistance. Renter-caused incidents can be chargeable. Repairs require provider approval, and a replacement vehicle is not automatic. |
| New Zealand pets | Some categories allow pets with prior approval. The contract permits a maximum of two dogs and requires their own bedding; pet damage and soiling remain excluded. |
| Optional equipment | Australian examples include a table with two chairs for AUD 50 per rental and a 20-litre solar shower bag for AUD 25 per rental. In New Zealand, an awning is NZD 50 and a solar shower NZD 25 per rental, subject to category compatibility and stock. |
| Returning the vehicle | In Australia, the interior, exterior, fridge and utensils must be clean and the fuel restored; the linen does not need washing. In New Zealand, excessive cleaning costs NZD 150 and an uncleaned toilet NZD 300. Returning a New Zealand vehicle to the wrong location incurs an NZD 2,000 charge. |
More about the company
Explore Spaceships Rentals
Power when parked in Australia
The Australian Estima range uses one protected 12-volt battery for starting and camping functions. Its load cut-off helps preserve starting power, and the provider recommends roughly three hours of driving a day. This suits a trip with regular movement better than a plan to leave the vehicle parked for several days while running appliances.
There is no vehicle mains hookup. An optional extension lead can power compatible appliances from a campsite outlet, but it does not connect the vehicle itself to mains power. A portable 200-watt solar blanket is available for AUD 10 per day, capped at AUD 250, subject to stock. On Family vehicles, the rooftop tent’s small solar panel powers its fan only; it does not charge the vehicle battery.
Taking a New Zealand rental between islands
Spaceships offers an optional ferry-voucher booking mechanism for the vehicle and travellers. The crossing is not included in the rental price. The classic vehicles under 5.5 m are described as cars for ferry booking; that classification should not be assumed for the announced Cosmo range.
The final registration number is supplied at pickup, with a provisional process available for arranging the ferry beforehand. Contracted vehicle protection continues during a permitted crossing, subject to its excess and exclusions. The sailing and its price depend on the ferry booking.
Quick answers
Spaceships Rentals FAQ
Does Spaceships still rent campervans in the UK or Europe?
No. Its UK and European rental operation ended in October 2025. The current rental businesses are in Australia and New Zealand; the continuing UK website is a road-trip blog.
Can four people sleep in a Spaceships Beta?
The Australian Beta Standard and New Zealand Beta Original / Budget have four travel seats but sleep two. In Australia, Family / Beta 4 Berth Rooftop accommodates four sleepers: two inside the vehicle and two in the rooftop tent. The Beta name alone does not establish sleeping capacity.
Which Spaceships vehicles are self-contained in New Zealand?
Among the established categories, Beta 2S Self-Contained has a fixed cassette toilet and is presented with a Green Warrant. Beta Original / Budget and Dream Sleeper Mini are not self-contained. The certificate for the vehicle supplied and the rules at the intended overnight location still determine where it can be used; the category name is not blanket permission to camp anywhere.
Do Australian Spaceships vehicles have a toilet or shower?
None of the four Australian categories includes a toilet, and Spaceships does not rent portable toilets there. An optional 20-litre solar shower bag is available for AUD 25 per rental; it is an outdoor accessory, not an installed bathroom.
Can I collect a Spaceships camper in Queenstown?
Queenstown is not an ordinary Spaceships pickup base. The New Zealand network consists of Auckland and Christchurch; Wellington and Wanaka are destinations rather than additional bases.
Can I collect a Spaceships vehicle after a late flight?
Prearranged self-service collection is available at enabled bases, so pickup can be possible outside staffed hours. Airlie Beach is the exception with daytime access only, from 09:00 to 18:00. In New Zealand, access begins at the reserved time and crossing midnight changes the rental day, so arrival timing needs to match the booking.
Are Spaceships one-way rentals free of extra charges?
A one-way supplement is not charged for a New Zealand rental booked between Auckland and Christchurch, and the Australian direct offer also advertises no one-way supplement. Other charges can still apply: the Australian regional depot service fee is AUD 200 for Adelaide, Airlie Beach or Hobart, and changing an agreed return base can incur a separate fee.
When do Sigma and Cosmo rentals begin in New Zealand?
They are announced from 1 October 2026. Sigma has two travel seats and two berths; Cosmo has three of each and separate automatic and manual booking categories. These announced additions are distinct from the established Beta and Dream range and should not be treated as available before their start date.
Rental company guide
Compare rental companies
Explore other rental companies and compare their vehicle ranges, pickup options and rental conditions.