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The Best Family Tents For Your Weekend Away In The Australian Outdoors

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The family camping trip is an Australian institution, but choosing the best family tent can mean the difference between a trip to remember and an experience you’d prefer never to repeat.
Whether you are buying a tent for the first time or are thinking of upgrading, you will be delighted by the number of options available today. Family tents range from the technical and hike-ready to multi-roomed luxury, which means that regardless of how diverse your clan is, you can probably find something that ticks all the boxes.

That said, the size of the tent market can be rather overwhelming. Knowing precisely what to look for regarding factors like size, ease of setting up, durability or affordability will save you a bit of shopping time, but you will still be left with more than a handful of options.

You might be spending a couple of hundred bucks or over a grand. Either way, it’s a stressful decision when you consider that you’ll want your family tent to last you for many years to come.

Lucky for you, we’ve researched dozens of tent models to present to you the ones that are best for a variety of needs and preferences.

Below are our 13 top family tent picks for the great Australian outdoors.

Best Family Camping Tents Australia

The Aero TXL Lite may offer the largest living space you will find in a Zempire inflatable tent, but surprisingly, it is also one of the most portable six-person air tents in the market. The tent’s huge front awning space makes for a comfortable space out of the sun. Additionally, with full head height throughout, it provides unrestricted access to all points, including the two bedrooms. Ventilation is one of the Aero TXL Lite’s strongest features. Its large mesh windows reduce heat build-up and the rear vents provide seamless airflow.

The Aero TXL Lite is one of the best-rated tents for small to medium-sized families, but quality comes at a price. If you are on a tight budget, perhaps this next Zempire tent will be a better fit for you.

 

What We Like:

  • Spacious
  • Compact
  • Full-head height
  • Good ventilation

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Costly
Best Family Camping Tents Australia

Housing the same number of occupants at a fraction of the price, you can call the Neo 6 the budget-friendly version of the Aero TXL. It is spacious, offering two bedrooms, one of which you can convert to a living area if you are not camping with the whole family.

Despite its size, you can put the Neo 6 up and take it down with relative ease. It also folds up nice and compact, so you won’t have any problem fitting it into your car. The tent remains adequately ventilated, thanks to its gusseted draft vents and huge windows, and has adequate waterproofing to keep you dry all through those unfortunate wet trips. 

What We Like:

  • Budget-friendly
  • Easy setup
  • Decent ventilation
  • Effective waterproofing

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Lackluster build quality

Vango Skye 500 5 Person Family Tent: Let in the Outdoor Light

Best Family Camping Tents Australia

The Vango Skye range of family tents come in three sizes: 400, 500 and 600. Sitting pretty in the middle, the Skye 500 offers the compactness of the 400 with enough room to fit five people comfortably.

Equipped with Vango’s patented Tension Band System for reinforced stability, this tent can brave adverse weather conditions with ease. It features an easy-to-pitch three-pole tunnel design and a side entry into a full head height living space. Clear windows allow sufficient light, while the lights-out bedroom area is well contrasted for better sleep. 

What We Like:

  • Sturdy
  • Easy to pitch
  • Great lighting

 

What We Don’t Like:

Only big enough for two to five occupants

Best Family Camping Tents Australia

Like most Zempire models, the Aero TL Lite is a smart-looking tent. However, what makes the design stand out is that it is meant to provide as much floor space as possible in a compact package. The pre-angled air poles achieve just that, resulting in a pleasant feeling of space throughout.

For even more space, you can pole out the front door to form a large shelter. If you require more storage than space, you can unzip the door completely and fold it away into a storage pocket. Other pockets in the living area and the bedroom can also come in handy for stashing small items. 

What We Like:

  • Spacious, yet compact
  • Generous storage
  • Great ventilation

 

What We Don’t Like:

Uninspiring lighting

Oztrail 6 Family Dome Tent: Affordable for Mid-sized Families

Best Family Camping Tents Australia

The Oztrail 6 is a fully-featured six-person all-season tent that is ideal for small family camping time. The spacious dome gives you a private rear bedroom and a front screened living area that you can also partition for a second bedroom. The large side and rear windows offer adequate ventilation and the head height will be enough for you to access every corner of your tent.

The Oztrail comes with two awning poles that are easy to set up but are not among the sturdiest in the market. On the bright side, the design makes it one of the lightest six-person tents around. 

What We Like:

  • Large enough for a mid-sized family
  • Portable
  • Adequate ventilation
  • Easy setup

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Some issues have been reported with the awning poles being flimsy
Best Family Camping Tents Australia

If you are in the market for a premium family tent that won’t break the bank, you will likely be happy with what this tent has to offer. It may not be heavy on the aesthetics, but the Tracker 6 is excellent for harsh weather conditions where stability is key. Waterproofing and durability have also been beefed up compared to other brands, and the heavy-duty tent floor tub has welded seams to eliminate the need for a groundsheet.

The Tracker 6 offers enough space for six people, and the extra-large “D” door provides easy access into the tent. The fly-sheet door covers can be used as awnings for UV protection on the fly. You also get decently sized windows and roof vents for ventilation. 

What We Like:

  • Value for the money
  • Highly stable
  • Spacious
  • Well ventilated

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Bland aesthetics
Best Family Camping Tents Australia

The Aerodome II Pro 6 is Zempire’s strongest and most waterproof inflatable tent, and that makes it especially ideal for camping in unfriendly weather. Its large awning area can be protected in poor weather or completely opened for maximum airflow, and the door features a 360-degree zip that you can unzip entirely to fold it into a storage pocket.

Perhaps the best thing about the Aerodome II Pro 6, besides its strength, is its large skylight. You and your family will enjoy watching the night sky together as you doze off during your next outdoor getaway. 

What We Like:

  • Strong and durable
  • Spacious
  • Adequate airflow
  • Large skylight

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • There’s really nothing not to like

Zempire Neo 8+ Person Family Tent: For the Largest Communal Space Possible

Best Family Camping Tents Australia
The thinking behind the Neo 8+ design is that the living area is the most critical part of a family tent and must take priority for space. The tent features a large room for everyone to gather, and its large twin-side windows can be opened up fully on warm days for more space and ventilation.

During wet weather, the front vestibule area offers a great transition area for removing wet gear before entering the tent. When pegged down, the side zips enable you to access the tent from either side during harsh weather conditions.

 

What We Like:

  • Very spacious
  • Versatile

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Nada. Zip. Zero.

Oztrail Bungalow 9 Tent: Home Away from Home

Best Family Camping Tents Australia

Featuring three large, versatile rooms, the massive Oztrail Bungalow 9 can comfortably fit nine people. The “D” doors at both ends of the tent give easy entry and exit, and the large side, rear and front awnings provide plenty of shade and ventilation.

Oztrail’s Portico Pole System makes the Bungalow 9 exceptionally strong. Furthermore, its silver-coated sun-tough fly deflects harsh UV light while doubling as a waterproof barrier. The side-wall organizer pockets may not be enough for everyone’s storage needs but besides that, the Bungalow 9 is entirely suited for your next camping adventure. 

What We Like:

  • Sturdy
  • Three separate rooms
  • Adequate ventilation
  • Large awnings

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Relatively limited storage features

Coleman Chalet 9 CV Family Dome Tent: The Familiar High-Performer

Best Family Camping Tents Australia

Like most other tents in the Colemans Gold series, the Chalet 9 CV is a mainstay of Australian camping. The tent offers the luxury of having two bedrooms and a separate central living area, and can fit a maximum of nine people all the three spaces are utilized for sleeping.

Besides the ample space, the Chalet 9 offers adequate waterproofing. It also allows superior ventilation through its large windows and mesh-roof panels, as well as Coleman’s trademarked Circle Ventilation system. A skylight assists with daytime lighting and night-sky viewing, and an effective pocket system helps to keep things tidy. 

What We Like:

  • Spacious
  • Effective waterproofing
  • Sturdy
  • Well ventilated
  • Large skylight

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Lengthy setup process

Coleman Instant Up Gold 10P Tent: Best Large Pop-up Family Tent

Best Family Camping Tents Australia

A premium tent with an affordable price tag, the Coleman Instant Up Gold offers the best balance between quality, utility and affordability.  Its instant up design is revolutionary, making setups and takedowns remarkably quick and easy, especially for a ten-person tent.

The Coleman Gold 10P shines with regards to protection against the elements, thanks to a high-quality build. However, its box-shaped design makes it more likely to catch the wind, so you will want to ensure all guy ropes are fastened correctly when you are camping in windy weather. 

What We Like:

  • Groundbreaking Instant-up design
  • High-quality build
  • Spacious

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Box-shaped design

BlackWolf Turbo Lite Twin 240 Tent: Best Tent for Quick Partitions

Best Family Camping Tents Australia

The BlackWolf 240 may not have the instant-up capability of the Coleman Gold range, but it is still commendably quick to set up. The tent has a rollback curtain room divider in the middle, which zips up for a spacious communal living space. Its three huge windows and the front door screen offer excellent ventilation, and the awning, despite being relatively small, provides decent protection from rain and sun for two campers at a time.

Alloy knuckles and feet, superior waterproofing, and a strong steel-enforced centre hub make the BlackWolf Turbo Lite 240 a tough tent that will be your camping accommodation for years to come.

 

What We Like:

  • Quick setup
  • Quick partitioning
  • Excellent ventilation
  • Strong build

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Relatively small awning
Best Family Camping Tents Australia
Tentsile have called the Universe 4-season their most groundbreaking model yet, and we do not disagree. A highly versatile tent, you can pitch it on the ground or in the trees or take to the water and test out its floating capabilities while you swim, fish or relax.

This four-season, all-terrain tent comes with a fully insulated, padded floor for comfort. You can modify the air pressure of the base when you have erected it on the ground to ensure you get the best night’s sleep possible. Although it comes with a heavy price tag, his model is bound to transform your family camping holidays.

 

What We Like:

  • Highly adaptable
  • Spacious
  • Easy setup
  • High-quality design

 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Costly

In Summary…

When buying the best tent for your camping needs, it pays to do as much research as you can. A good quality tent will last longer, have more features, offer you better protection outdoors, and save you money. It is our hope that you are now a few steps closer to picking the ideal tent for you, your family, and friends. Happy camping.

Disclaimer: The above links are affiliate links, meaning I will be given a percentage of all purchases. This doesn’t mean you pay anything extra and doesn’t influence the opinions I have presented in this article in any way.

Got yourself an family tent? Which model did you buy? If you have any stories, updates or corrections, please let us know by commenting below.

If you’re looking for ideas on where to take your next family camping trip, check out our Travel Inspiration section. Need hikes to do on your camping trip? Try The Trail Finder.

Exploring the Great Ocean Road?

You won’t see the best sights from your car. Get the definitive guidebook, featuring the 25 best walks in the area with detailed instructions and maps.

Visitors Guide to the Best Walks of the Great Ocean Road

The post The Best Family Tents For Your Weekend Away In The Australian Outdoors appeared first on The Bushwalking Blog.


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