Spaceship Campers in New Zealand – everything you need to know
Spaceships are compact campers that started in NZ and are now also available in Australia and the UK. I love to hire Spaceship Campers in New Zealand because they drive and park like a car — they’re converted people movers — but give you the freedom and flexibility of a full-sized motorhome. This is especially helpful on the narrow, gravel roads you can find in back-country New Zealand.
Book a Spaceship Camper
If we’re aware of it, we’ll update promotions in the tabs below. You can also compare all campers in New Zealand, Australia and the campers and motorhomes in the UK to see if Spaceships is right for you.
We have detailed tips and comparisons for Spaceships New Zealand, Spaceships Australia, and Spaceships UK.
We’ve hired Spaceship Campers since 2011 (and most recently for Easter 2022), so we’ve seen a lot of them! If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please ask in the comments.
15% early-bird discount on now!
Book now and get 10% off campervan & motorhome hire.
- Pick up and drop off in London or Edinburgh
Here’s the most-recent Spaceships Australia deals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spaceship Campers in New Zealand
Are Spaceships fun to travel in?
Oh yes! I love Spaceships because they accelerate and corner like a (big) car, but you can zip into a campsite after dark, and be cooking dinner or sleeping within seconds. Unlike camping in a tent, you have no set-up or pack-up time; and unlike a traditional motor home, you can park and drive normally. If you hate campsites, natural views, and off-the-beaten-track experiences then maybe you’d be better in a hotel.
We’ve driven Spaceships to Cape Reinga in the North to Bluff and Invercargill in the South, and left them in the carparks while hiking in New Zealand. Awesome being able to drive up, and start your adventure without any set-up, and the fridge keeps food and drinks lovely and cold.
Can you use a Spaceship in New Zealand?
Yes, the camper van type of spaceship! Space travel is government controlled and mostly wrapped up by Rocket Labs. The campervan hire is Spaceships NZ.
Are Spaceship campers self-contained?
There are many models of Spaceship, and two are self-contained: the Beta 2S Self Contained Camper and the Beta 2S SC Stealth Camper. The ‘stealth’ model is both self-contained and unbranded.
See all Spaceships NZ models & comparison table here.
Can I hire electric, EV, or PHEV hybrid Spaceship Campers in New Zealand?
No, it’s pretty hard to find any electric campers in New Zealand as the EV infrastructure isn’t quite there in the hard-to-reach places where campers like to travel.
Can you sleep anywhere in a campervan in New Zealand?
No, you can’t just pull over and sleep anywhere in a campervan in New Zealand. There’s basic Department of Conservation campsites and many council-run campsites that are free or less than $10 per person/night. These will likely have a water source and basic toilet facilities. Private campgrounds will have facilities ranging from the basic to the luxurious.
How do I find free camping sites in New Zealand?
Some parts of New Zealand do allow “Freedom camping”, which is the right to sleep in many locations. Rules are different in every council, and this map is a useful tool to figure out what restrictions and rights you’ll encounter as you move around. The free Spaceship camping app is also very helpful.
Do you need a special licence to drive a campervan in New Zealand?
If you are on a foreign licence, you can legally drive in New Zealand with a current drivers license from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP). You do not need a special licence to drive a Spaceship camper, and there’s no added fees for extra drivers or young drivers. You can drive a rental campervan or motorhome with a TARE weight of up to 4.5 tonnes on a full car license even if there’s a lower weight limit on your drivers license. If you will be using an overseas drivers license that’s not in English, you’ll need to get an English translation or an IDP, and carry both.
If you’re on a Kiwi license, you have up to 6,000 tonnes of motorhome allowance, and that’s more than is needed for a Spaceship. Here’s the Transport Ministry page on this.
What are the different models of Spaceship Campers NZ?
There are currently six Spaceship Camper Models available. I’ll give my hot take and link to the full product description for each of them:
- Beta Camper – The original, with seating up to four but that’d be tight sleeping conditions! When travelling with 3+, I pick up a small tent and sleeping gear to pitch next door.
- Beta 2S Camper – My go-to favourite for 2 people to have an amazing road trip.
- Beta 2S Self Contained Camper – Same, but self-contained certified for more freedom camping options.
- Beta 2S Self Contained & Stealth Camper – Same, but with no branding for when you’re in secret-squirrel mode.
- Dream Sleeper – A larger, more opulent take on the classic Spaceship Camper. These have more headroom, nicer fittings, and tend to be newer vehicles.
- Dream Sleeper Stealth Camper – Same, but no branding, so you can camp and hide from your Insta followers at the same time.
| Spaceship Van Name | Seats | Self Contained? | Unbranded? | Luxury model? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta Camper | 4 | No | No | No |
| Beta 2S Camper | 2 | No | No | No |
| Beta 2S SC Camper | 2 | Yes | No | No |
| Beta 2S SC Stealth | 2 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dream Sleeper | 2 | No | No | Yes |
| Dream Sleeper Stealth | 2 | No | Yes | Yes |
Where are the Spaceship camper depots in New Zealand?
There are spaceship camper van depots in Auckland and Christchurch. You can pick up and drop off from either – there are no extra fees for one-way trips. They are 24/7 contactless pickup by default, so no after-hours fees either.
Auckland:
60 Walls Road
Penrose
Auckland 1061
Christchurch:
160 Orchard Road
Harewood
Christchurch 8051
Ready to book a Spaceship Camper NZ?
This link will have the most-recent deals for Spaceship Camper Hire in New Zealand, so go for it.
Book a Spaceship Camper
If we’re aware of it, we’ll update promotions in the tabs below. You can also compare all campers in New Zealand, Australia and the campers and motorhomes in the UK to see if Spaceships is right for you.
We have detailed tips and comparisons for Spaceships New Zealand, Spaceships Australia, and Spaceships UK.
We’ve hired Spaceship Campers since 2011 (and most recently for Easter 2022), so we’ve seen a lot of them! If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please ask in the comments.
15% early-bird discount on now!
Book now and get 10% off campervan & motorhome hire.
- Pick up and drop off in London or Edinburgh
Here’s the most-recent Spaceships Australia deals.
