Media Coverage

Shaggin' Wagon

I last traveled in space nearly 3 years ago. Since then massive astral plain innovations have seen Spaceships upgrade their customised fleet of orange nimrods to embrace the modern camping lifestyle. The new larger, more ergonomic and weatherproof sleeping canopies, featuring a DVD screen within arms reach, easily beat curling up with some unwashed backpacker in a shoddy hostel. The introduction of Hybrid technology (half battery/half petrol driven) offers a more organic experience up front too – and as on any surf-trip it's always cool to know that you're charging! There's a 4x4 version with roof-racks available that'll teleport your tush 'round the point, over the rocks and up the dunes for a podium finish at the remotest of surfspots NZ has to offer.

The camping equivalent of a swiss army knife on wheels, you'll be stoked to discover a large fridge (think 6 pack and steaks), 2 stoves, all utensils for cooking and washing up stuff for the groms, chairs WITH cupholders, two tables, a water supply and legroom to boot, all inside a vehicle that rides like your missus with only slightly more junk in the trunk.

To their credit, Stray (the creators of the Spaceships) have embraced the feedback from fellow travelers over the past few years of operation to really fine-tune the design of the new models. All set up, having finished my eggs 'n bacey after a morning sesh, I had time to appreciate the smoother clasping buckles, the effective windguard around the stove, the sturdier rigging on the awning and the warm glow a caring waxjob provides, as I leant back and strummed a tune whilst the wind went onshore. And I didn't even care! It felt like I had all the time in the world, content in the knowledge that I had all I needed with me to enjoy a relaxing fun surfing holiday. Unfortunately, they wanted it back at the depot by 2...

Having discovered Spaceships show real cloak'n'dagger appeal when dodging speed camera's on the run south, the drop-off went sweet. I later remembered (whilst back-paying the toll for our fantastic new Northern Gateway) a few greener moments to round out that flash of blurry orange you may have glimpsed the motorway. Spaceships own a forest south of Christchurch and will offset the carbon credit of your surf trip by planting a tree or two in your name. They're also expanding into Aussie and the UK, so you can cut your teeth here then travel with the confidence you're set over there. Spaceships won't kill your travel budget, provide all the retard-friendly gear 2 or 3 people would need for a camping trip away, and 'cos your basically driving an queen-sized bed around, you'll wake up and already be right there doing it!

By Rowan Klevstul
Editor, 09 Magazine, May Issue.

Spaceships launches into UK rental market

New Zealand-owned rental company Spaceships is exploring new frontiers, with an expansion into the UK market happening in the first half of 2009.

Spaceships already has 250 of its custom-designed vehicles in the New Zealand market and 100 in Australia.

Spaceships passengers will find beds for up to four people, cooking facilities, a water supply and a DVD player in their refitted Toyota “people-mover”, which company founder Neil Geddes says is easier to drive and park than a regular campervan.

Travellers can also use designated “space stations” all over the country, operated by tour operators, where they can get advice on local activities and exchange information DVDs.

The vehicles cost $100-$150 a day to rent in the high season and as little as $32 a day in winter.

Mr Geddes says Spaceships’ success is partly due to its unique product offering; big global travel wholesalers might be already locked into an arrangement with a traditional campervan company, but Spaceships can sit alongside that in a different product category.

And, he says, the “service after sale” is appreciated by travellers, who don’t want to rent a vehicle and head out into the unknown with no advice on where to go and what to do.

Sales revenue for the New Zealand business is up 42% in the financial year to date and in December, presales for January to March were up 61% on the year before.

The expansion into the UK market is aiming to attract business from New Zealanders and Australians who have seen Spaceships in their home countries, and English tourists who have used the vehicles while travelling here.

Spaceships UK will be operational by July this year.

Mr Geddes says it’s not an easy environment to operate in at present but Spaceships has always focused on being as lean and efficient as possible, with shareholder Humphry Rolleston determined to strip out cost from the operation.

About half of Spaceships’ bookings are made online.

The ‘Spaceships” themselves are bought second-hand from Japan and outfitted in a workshop owned by Mr Geddes’ parents.

Spaceships also keeps costs down by operating concurrently with a related business – the Stray network of travel buses – which means two revenue streams are derived from the same distribution channel.

Mr Geddes founded the Kiwi Experience bus network 20 years ago and sold it to current owner Tourism Holdings.

He says this taught him how hard the Australian market was, due to the size of the country and the number of “tourism gateways” - cities from where a substantial number of tourists enter and leave the country.

Spaceships has partnered with an existing operator, Adventure Tours, to take advantage of its infrastructure.

“The franchise agreement means we get the benefit of a profile in Australia but allow someone else to control and run the business,” he says.

Adventure Tours also promotes Spaceships at European trade shows.

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/spaceships-launch-uk-market-39980

ANOTHER WORLD FIRST FOR SPACESHIPS

A great step for the environment and a giant leap for travellers has launched in the form of the new hybrid Spaceship campervan. The award-winning Spaceships, custom built vehicles for the adventurous traveller, new hybrid vehicle produces significantly less emissions and also provides considerable savings in petrol costs - a major plus for the budget conscious traveller in today’s climate.

The new Spaceship hybrid option is part of the Company’s overall strategy to reduce their impact on the environment while also offering a ‘green’ option to the growing number of environmentally-conscious travellers.

The vehicles are custom-fitted Previa hybrids that use Toyota’s famous technology to combine a small petrol motor with a large electric motor and batteries for alternative power. The new fleet also have improved features including a larger fridge/freezer, DVD player and 25cm screen, and a bigger double bed which can be used entirely inside or extended into a rear awning for 30% more space and better ventilation.

Neil Geddes, Spaceships’ Executive Director, said; “To our knowledge the new hybrid Spaceship fleet is a world first for this type of vehicle. We want travellers to experience everything New Zealand has to offer while still encouraging sustainable tourism, which is why we are continually looking at ways to further reduce out carbon footprint. Driving the new hybrid gives you quite an eerie feeling, when you head off with electric power there’s no noise from the engine, yet you still have the same amount of power and driveability as a regular car.”

Spaceships first launched onto the New Zealand market back in October 2004 and have gone from strength to strength winning the New Zealand Tourism Innovation award in 2006, and then successfully launching into the Australian market in February 2008.

Spaceships believe strongly in educating international visitors about the country so each vehicle comes with an environmental care code, campground maps and information on accessing public shower and toilet facilities. They also encourage trailblazing Spaceship crews to boldly go where they have not gone before and help them to do so with their unique support and guidance package that includes itinerary planning, Space Stations (local points of contact), guidebooks and great deals on adventure activities.

Check out this video from TV3 in New Zealand - Spaceships on TV

Spaceships on RTL Adrenaline

Check out Spaceships on the popular Dutch travel show RTL Adrenaline (view Spaceships at 20.50 min and 39.50 min on the show) - watch it here

NOTE: when you open this link, set the connection speed at the right of your screen under "Kwaliteit" at "laag" (low) for less buffering.