Spaceships vs Maui
A side-by-side look at Spaceships and Maui — what each includes, how they score with renters, and which fits your Australia trip best.
At a Glance
Spaceships
Maui
Founded
New Zealand, 2004; launched in Australia in 2008, per its own site
1982, per the brand's own site; acquired by parent company thl in 1988
Headquarters
New Zealand (HQ city not published); Australian entity registered in Botany, NSW
Auckland, New Zealand (Australian operations run through thl's shared network)
Fleet size
Four models across eight Australian depots (this site prices six; vehicle count not published)
Six models across the fleet (vehicle count not published)
Pickup
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin
Fleet & Vehicles
Both Spaceships and Maui operate fleets tailored to conditions in Australia. See each vendor's page for full fleet breakdowns.
Spaceships fleet
Two people on a tight budget, sealed roads only
Alpha
Two people who want more room to move
Beta 2S
Four people, or two with a child seat
Beta · Beta 4-berth (Rooftop Tent)
Maui fleet
Two adults, an optional child berth, guaranteed young
Ultima · Ultima Plus
Four people, a full indoor lounge
Cascade · Beach
Six people, the largest two layouts
Sunset · River
Equipment & Inclusions
Default equipment included with a standard rental. Individual vehicles may vary. How we rate equipment →
Category
Spaceships
Maui
Sleeping
Double bed with sleeping gear (sleeping bags, pillows, sheets) included on all models
Bedding included on all motorhomes
Cooking
Gas cooker, pots, pans, plates, cutlery and two free gas canisters on all models
Kitchen with gas cooker, microwave, pots, pans, cutlery and sink on all models
Cooling
Front-cab air conditioning and an integrated fridge on all models
Fridge capacity varies by model; the Alpha has a smaller unit than the Beta range
Fridge-freezer and front-cab air conditioning on all models
Heating
No model in the Australian fleet carries a heater
Reverse-cycle air conditioning/heating in the living area on every model in the fleet
Runs off 240 V mains only, so it does nothing on an unpowered site
Power
Self-charging smart battery with two USB sockets on all models
Dual battery with 240 V hookup on all models
Water
10-litre water tank on all models
Basic tank for hand-washing and drinking only; no toilet, shower or self-containment certification on any model
Toilet and shower on every model in the fleet
Categories verified for only one of the two are not listed.
Customer Reviews
Cancellation & Flexibility
Spaceships
Free cancellation (528h notice)Free cancellation up to 22 days before pick-up. Inside 22 days, cancellation fees apply on a sliding scale — check Spaceships' terms for exact amounts.
Official terms →Maui
Cancellation feeNo fee 61+ days before pickup. Inside that: A$250 flat (60–31 days), 20% of the rental (30–7 days), 50% (6 days or less), or the full rental on pickup day or a no-show.
Official terms →Who Should Choose Whom
Choose Spaceshipsif…
- •You value car-sized campervans built from people-movers, not high-roof vans
Choose Mauiif…
- •You value guaranteed-young fleets that never leave sealed roads
Compare Spaceships and Maui prices
See real-time availability and pricing from both vendors alongside 9 others.
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