My family has just started going on a few camping trips close to home and so we needed a tent for camping. The kids loved looking at the various family camping tents, but I found it a bit challenging trying to work out which was the best family tent 2023 had which was right for us.
If you read the various online family tent reviews, you will see there is quite a lot to think about when it comes to buying the best family camping tents. You need to consider the size of the tent, the type of tent and whether you need it for camping, hiking, backpacking or some other purpose.
To help make your search for family size tents a little easier, I have put together this best camping tents for families guide. In this guide, I explain the different types of tents, the various features to consider when purchasing a tent as well as compare some of the best tents Australia offers.
Click here to see the best family tent in Australia now!
Whether you’re looking for a family pop up tent, a family hiking tent, large family tents or just one of the overall good cheap family tents, I have no doubt you will find the best tent for your family’s needs in this guide.
Contents
Best Family Tent Australia 2023 Comparison Chart
Compare all the best family tents 2023 Australia offers in the following table.
| Name | Image | Type | Seasonality | Weight | Dimensions (LxWxH) | Price | Features | Rating |
| Coleman 8-Person Instant Tent |  | 8-person | 4 Season | 19.4kg | 410 x 235 x 190 cm | Check | Spacious, easy set up, affordable | 4.5 |
| Kathmandu Retreat 280 3 Room Camping Dome Tent |  | 5-person | 4 Season | 24.3kg | 590 x 275 x 200 cm | Check | 3 rooms, stargazing window, sturdy | 4.0 |
| FE Active Family Camping Tent |  | 4-person | 4 Season | 2.72kg | 240 x 210 x 120 cm | Check | Affordable, lightweight, compact | 4.5 |
| Coleman Silver Series Instant-Up Tent | | 6-person | 2-3 Season | 14.2kg | 410 x 280 x 190 cm | Check | Affordable, fast easy set up, spacious | 4.5 |
| Highlander Oak 4 Tent |  | 4-person | 2 Season | 5.9kg | 540 x 310 x 205 cm | Check | Lightweight, spacious, durable | 3.5 |
| Coleman Tent Sun Dome 4 |  | 4-person | 3 Season | 4.6kg | 274 x 213 x 150 cm | Check | Lightweight, affordable, blocks 90% sunlight | 4.5 |
| Caribee Family Tent | 6-person | 1 Season | 15kg | 305 x 305 x 215 cm | Check | Affordable, large and spacious, large porch | 4.0 | |
| Browning Camping Big Horn Tent |  | 8-person | 3 Season | 15.7kg | 305 x 457 x 221 cm | Check | Large and spacious, stargazing mesh window, 2 rooms 2 doors | 4.0 |
| Naturehike Opalus Family Tent |  | 4-person | 4 Season | 3.9kg | 240 x 245 x 120 cm | Check | Lightweight, compact, huge vestibule | 4.5 |
| Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent |  | 9-person | 3 Season | 12.5kg | 168 x 108 x 198 cm | Check | Fast simple set up, room divider, large spacious tent | 4.0 |
The Best Family Tents Australia 2023
Here’s a handy reference list of the best camping tent Australia options – see all the full family tent reviews 2023 below!
- Coleman Instant Tent, 8-person
- Kathmandu Retreat 280 Tent, 5-person
- FE Active Family Tent, 4-person
- Coleman Silver Series Instant-Up Tent, 6-person
- Highlander Oak 4 Tent, 4-person
- Coleman Tent Sun Dome, 4-person
- Caribee Family Tent, 6-person
- Browning Camping Big Horn Tent, 8-person
- Naturehike Opalus Lightweight Camping Tent, 4-person
- CORE Instant Cabin Tent, 9-person
Understanding Tent Terms
Before you go on the hunt for the best tents for families, you’re going to need to understand all the tent terms and jargon.
Pop/Instant Tent Vs Dome/Traditional Tent
The latest style of tents to hit the market is the instant pop up tent. These type of easy set up tents are all in one with the poles attached together, which makes setting them up super easy. So easy that the best instant tents Australia has go up in seconds.
A pop up family tent, however, tends to be more expensive than the traditional type tents. Family dome tents or traditional style tents come in multiple pieces which you are required to put together. These types of tents for camping are relatively cheap but can take much longer to set up.
Freestanding Vs Trekking Pole
A freestanding tent uses tent poles and, once set up, can stand up on its own. A trekking pole tent is the best lightweight tent as it’s designed for those who are hiking and is set up with the hikers trekking poles.
A freestanding tent tends to be heavier but on the upside can be set up anywhere. Trekking pole tents, on the other hand, make the best hiking tent as they reduce the load that hikers have to carry with them, but they need to consider the terrain when deciding where to pitch their tent.
Wall: Single VS Double
Put simply; a single wall tent is made from one layer of fabric, whereas a double wall tent is made with two. They are the tent body and the rainfly (see below).
Single wall tents make for a lightweight family tent and are quick and easy to put up but provide less protection against the elements. A double wall tent, on the other hand, is heavier, more expensive, takes longer to put up but has the advantage of being the best waterproof camping tent due to its added layer.
Rainfly
As mentioned above, a rainfly is the piece of fabric that goes over the tent to keep the rain out. Rainflys come in either full coverage or partial coverage.
Vestibule
Vestibules are the little front entrances or small rooms at the front of the tent, like a porch. Vestibules provide some extra space for you to leave items that you don’t want them inside, making a mess of your tent like shoes.
Stakes & Guylines
Stakes and guylines are what keep your tent well secured once set up. A guyline is a cord or string which attaches to your tent and then is secured to the ground with stakes.
Stakes and guylines are essential for keeping your tent in place in windy weather, heavy rain and snow. They also assist in providing more space by pulling out the walls of your tent as well as assisting in drying out your tent by providing ventilation.
Footprint
A tent footprint is a waterproof ground cloth that some people choose to put down under their tent. It’s not necessary to use a footprint, but some people do to provide a clean foundation for their tent.
Choosing The Best Tent For Family 2023
Key Factors To Consider
When it comes to the best tents Australia 2023 has, there are multiple choices and there is no one tent that is perfect for everyone. To purchase the perfect tent for your family, take some time to consider the following factors and have this guide you for the type of tent you purchase.
Purpose
Consider what sort of camping you will be doing with your tent. Unfortunately with tents, there are pros and cons with each of them, and no one tent will suit all types of camping.
Backpacking
If you are looking for a tent for backpacking, the best backpacking tent will be a lightweight tent which is simple and easy to set up. These types of tents are best when you will be using local transport to get from A to B and need to carry your own gear as you go.
Car Camping
Car camping basically means you will be transporting your camping gear in your own car and most cases have your car parked right next to your tent. In this case, being lightweight is not so important, but the ideal car camping tent will be one that’s quick and easy to set up as well as being nice and compact.
Hiking/Mountaineering
If you need a tent to sleep in whilst you are hiking or mountaineering then you will need to carry all your own gear across long distances. A tent that is lightweight and compact is of the utmost importance.
Ultralight
An ultralight tent is great in all situations as they tend to be more compact and are easy to store when not in use. They are particularly great for backpacking or hiking. Just remember that you may need to sacrifice other features such as easy set up, tent space and price for an ultralight tent.
Weather
Another important factor to consider is the weather where you will be camping so you can decide between a 3 season tent or 4 season tent (also referred to as all weather tents).
For the most part, a 3 season tent will do the trick as these tents are suited to camping in all kinds of weather except heavy snow or extremely windy conditions. If you intend on camping in the snow, then ensure you purchase a 4 season tent as these make the best winter tent for snowy conditions.
Weight
Weight really is only a factor to consider if you need to carry your tent far. If you are likely to have your tent in your car and your car parked right next to your tent set up, then the weight of your tent is not really an issue.
The weight of your tent IS a crucial factor if you need to hike to your campsite or if you will use your tent when backpacking.
Capacity
When it comes to a family tent, space is certainly a crucial factor for consideration. You will need to ensure there is enough room not just for all the family to sleep but also for their belongings.
Remember just because a tent is a 4 person tent does not mean it’s the best tent for a family of 4. Basically, this means there is enough room for 4 people lying side by side in sleeping bags, with absolutely no room for air mattresses or personal belonging.
Also consider if you what to have two rooms for privacy, or perhaps just the option to put up a room divider.
On the other hand, it’s also not recommended to get one of the large camping tents the size of the Taj Mahal! The bigger the tent, the more complicated it is to set up, plus you still need to transport it in your car and have somewhere to store it.
Ease of Use
Whether your family camps once a year or multiple times a year, I can guarantee you that camping will be more enjoyable the easier it is to not only set up your tent but also to pack it up as well.
You also want a compact tent so it can easily be transported in the car along with all the other items required for a family camping trip and you don’t want it to take up too much room in the garage when it’s being stored.
Other Features To Consider
Doors – Most tents have just one door at the front; some also have an additional back door. One door is more than enough; just ensure it is large enough to easily come in and out of.
Material & Ventilation – Tents tend to come in canvas or a nylon/polyester, with the latter being most common. Tents made from nylon or polyester are lightweight with lightweight poles, great at keeping you dry, but do tend to heat up rather fast in the sun. The best canvas tents Australia has, on the other hand, tend to be much more durable but are also heavier and bulkier.
Weatherproof & Wind Resistance – You never know what mother nature will throw at you whilst camping, so it’s really important that to stay well protected that your tent can withstand strong weather and wind conditions.
Top 10 Best Family Tent Reviews Australia 2023
Below are family tent reviews for our choices for the best tents in Australia.
Coleman 8-Person Instant Tent Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: 8-person
- Seasonality: 4 Season
- Weight: 19.4kg
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 410 x 235 x 190 cm
For family’s looking for one of the large camping tents with rooms that set up in minutes, this Coleman family tent is a great option.
This is a big family tent which includes plenty of room for all your family’s needs. Inside the 8 man tent, there is enough room for two queen size air beds as well as plenty of headroom. For families that prefer a little privacy, there is also a hanging divider which converts the tent into two rooms.
The Coleman 8 person instant tent has both a front and back door as well as seven huge windows which provide fantastic ventilation and the ability to admire your surroundings. This best 8 person tent will also keep your family well protected from the elements with features including inverted seams for added water resistance, strong and flexible frame, a weather resistant zipper cuff and waterproof floor.
Also available in a 4 person pop up tent and Coleman 6 person tent, it’s easy to see why Coleman tents are a popular choice among families and they do have the best instant tent Australia offers. This Coleman 8 person tent is an excellent choice for family camping.
What I like:
- A large tent that provides plenty of space for families
- Great ventilation and easy set up
- An affordable tent
What I dislike:
- The tent is quite heavy and may require two people to carry it
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Kathmandu Retreat 280 5 Person 3 Room Camping Dome Tent Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: 5-person
- Seasonality: 4 Season
- Weight: 24.3kg
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 590 x 275 x 200 cm
A great option if you’re looking for big camping tents for the family and want to have lots of different tent rooms is this huge 3 room family camping tent from Kathmandu.
The external flysheet features waterproof sealed seams to avoid leakages in damp weather, and the inner layer is also water repellant and fully breathable. These family size tents are made from polyester taffeta with a tarpaulin groundsheet. It has been treated to be UV resistant up to UPF 50 as well as a 3000PV rain coating treatment.
Featuring a Ventus cooling system, there are controllable air vents to make sure that there is good airflow to all parts of the outdoor tent. Other features of this 3 room tent Australia has include sturdy fibreglass poles, a star-gazing window, reflective strips on guy ropes, solar charging ceiling pocket and front and side awning doors that can be held up with poles to make a porch.
This is a great tent if you’re looking for the best large tents 2023 has, as its roomy and spacious for your family. Just note that it’s not a compact, lightweight tent to carry around and, as with most tents of this size, is only suitable for car camping trips.
What I like:
- Three separate rooms that are spacious enough for whole family
- A sturdy tent
- stargazing window
What I dislike:
- Quite an expensive tent
- Quite a heavy tent that may require two people to carry
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
FE Active 4 Person Four Season Family Camping Tent Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: 4-person
- Seasonality: 4 Season
- Weight: 2.72kg
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 240 x 210 x 120 cm
This four season family camping tent is perfect if you’re looking for a compact best 4 man tent Australia has. Suitable for 3 people (or possibly 4 at a push) this is a heavy duty compact tent that’ll keep you dry throughout the year for camping trips and can even be used for hiking camping trips.
One of the best things about this best 4 person tent Australia has is the additional space and size for the weight. Weighing just 3.2kgs, this tent packs in extra space despite being lightweight and folding up small. You could easily take it on a hiking camping trip, especially if dividing the weight between several people.
Features include durable aluminium poles, ripstop polyester fly and 210 denier floor, waterproofed seams, water resistant coating to 3000mm, included carry bag, guy ropes and pegs, hooks for lanterns, and two doors on opposing sides of the tent for easy entry/exit and storage of kit.
All in all, if you’re looking for the best tent for family of 4 which is lightweight and ideal for a backpacking trip, you really can’t go wrong with this model from FE Active.
What I like:
- An affordable tent
- A lightweight and compact tent easy to take on a hiking trip
What I dislike:
- Not the best tent for extreme conditions
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Coleman Silver Series Instant-Up Tent, 6 Person Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: 6-person
- Seasonality: 2-3 Season
- Weight: 14.2kg
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 410 x 280 x 190 cm
Yet another fantastic option from Coleman, you’ll have this 6 person pop up tent in under two minutes, so your family get to enjoy the great outdoors.
This best 6 man tent is a great size tent for a small family with one to two kids. There is enough room for a queen size air mattress plus a few kids’ size sleeping bags and your family’s personal belongings. The Coleman 6 person instant tent is even a small awning so you can sit outside while watching the kids play.
This best 6 person tent has a large front door as well as windows on each side with roll up rear flaps for ventilation. Your family will be well protected from the elements, as the Coleman 6 person instant up tent features including inverted seams for added water resistance, strong and flexible frame, a weather resistant zipper cuff, waterproof polyethylene floor and full coverage rainfly.
Also available is a Coleman 4 person pop up tent and 8 person tent, it’s easy to see why any Coleman tent review recommends these tents for families. They are the best instant up tents Australia offers.
What I like:
- Fast and easy set up
- An affordable tent
- Spacious enough for the whole family
What I dislike:
- Quite a heavy tent
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Highlander Oak 4 Tent Review
Rating: 3.5
Specifications:
- Type: 4-person
- Seasonality: 2 Season
- Weight: 5.9kg
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 540 x 310 x 205 cm
The Highlander Oak is designed for the longer camping trips where space and comfort are important.
This tent has a unique layout with a spacious front porch area, the bedroom in the back and a side entry. The porch area has large clear windows for lots of light, whilst the bedroom area is darkened for extra privacy and a good night’s sleep. The side entry is fabulous, so people relaxing under the porch don’t have to move every time someone needs to go inside the tent.
Designed to sleep 4 people, this tent has all the standard features to keep your family well protected no matter what the weather brings. Features include durable fully sewn in groundsheet, fibreglass poles and waterproof breathable polyester tent.
If you’re considering family camping tents with rooms designated for certain areas, the Highlander Oak is worth a closer look.
What I like:
- A lightweight tent
- A spacious tent
- A durable tent that will withstand harsher conditions
What I dislike:
- It is quite an expensive tent
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Coleman Tent Sun Dome 4 Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: 4-person
- Seasonality: 3 Season
- Weight: 4.6kg
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 274 x 213 x 150 cm
This quick, lightweight Coleman Sun Dome tent is perfect for warm weather camping when you’ll be spending all your time outside anyway.
With just enough room inside for 4 people to sleep, this tent includes darkroom technology to block out 90% of the sunlight so you can put little ones to bed early, even if it’s still light outside. It also keeps everyone from waking up as soon as the sun is up.
This tent includes all the standard Coleman features to ensure your family is well protected, including inverted seams for added water resistance, strong and flexible frame, a weather resistant zipper cuff, waterproof polyethylene floor and partial coverage rainfly. Other features include two large windows and a ground vent for air circulation and two built-in storage pockets.
With a quick and easy setup, this is the perfect tent for a spur of the moment weekend away or whilst on a car camping trip. This tent also comes in a two or six person dome tent and is perfect if you are looking for one of the best dome tents Australia offers.
What I like:
- An affordable and lightweight tent
- Blocks out 90% of sunlight so great for families with small children
- Quick and easy set up
What I dislike:
- Not a very spacious tent
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Caribee 6 Person Family Tent Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: 6-person
- Seasonality: 1 Season
- Weight: 15kg
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 305 x 305 x 215 cm
A great option for those looking for a large and spacious family camping tent without different rooms is this Caribee 6 person tent. This tent offers plenty of headroom and a roomy awning area for additional shelter.
If you prefer lots of space inside your tent, this Caribee 6 person tent is a great option to look at. Featuring a large door and awning plus windows, you’ll get plenty of ventilation. This tent is simple to assemble and includes a heavily water-resistant floor (up to 4000mm) and water resistant flysheet. It has a height of 2 meters, so any tall members of your family are going to love this tent!
This tent is specially designed for use in Australia, with cross ventilation through the large windows. The awning provides the perfect place to pull up a few chairs and enjoy some beers sheltered from the sun!
What I like:
- An affordable tent
- A large and spacious tent
- Large porch area
What I dislike:
- Quite a heavy tent
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Browning Camping Big Horn Tent Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: 8-person
- Seasonality: 3 Season
- Weight: 15.7kg
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 305 x 457 x 221 cm
Another good choice for larger families is this 8 person Browning Camping tent with 2 rooms. Especially designed with lots of features to maximise space, this tent is so spacious you may just feel right at home!
The Big Horn tent features straight sidewalls to give additional headroom – the height of this tent is 2.2 meters, and if you’re looking for a big tent, this model will not disappoint! With 2 doors, each ‘room’ can be accessed separately, and the top of the tent is made from mesh for stargazing or extra ventilation when used without the flysheet.
The tent is a freestanding design, suitable for 3 season use. Although it is waterproofed to a slightly lower level than some other tents (2000mm), reviewers are quite happy with this tent’s water repelling capacities.
All in all, if you want a big, spacious tent with 2 rooms and a great head height, this is the option for you!
What I like:
- A large and spacious tent
- Stargazing mesh window
- Wall divider for two rooms and two doors to access both rooms separately
What I dislike
- Quite a heavy tent
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Naturehike Opalus Lightweight Camping Tent Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: 4-person
- Seasonality: 4 Season
- Weight: 3.9kg
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 240 x 245 x 120 cm
The Naturehike Opalus Lightweight 4 person tent is a good option if you’re looking for a basic family tent for your next camping trip. It comes with all the basics you’d expect from a good quality mid-size tent, without any of the extras you may not need.
With a strong ripstop exterior and aluminium alloy poles, this family tent for 4 people is designed to withstand the elements of all seasons. There are two entry points at either end of the tent and ample room for sitting up. The tent also features a large vestibule and anti-insect mesh screens
This tent is a good choice if you’re looking for something simple that and super lightweight for its size. It packs up small enough to take on camping trips where you are restricted on space. There is a thick ground mat provided and the outer layer features UPF protection.
What I like:
- A lighter weight tent
- Compact
- Huge vestibule
What I dislike:
- Floor is a bit thin
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: 9-person
- Seasonality: 3 Season
- Weight: 12.5kg
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 168 x 108 x 198 cm
When you need more than a small, easy family tent but don’t want to rent a cabin or house, the CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin is the perfect solution. This large tent cabin can hold up to nine people. It features a divider that separates the tent into two rooms, adding an element of privacy and perfect if you are looking for the best 2 room tent.
These CORE tents Australia has includes room for two queen-size mattresses or smaller beds inside this tent cabin. One of its greatest features is the ease of setup. You can set this tent up or take it down within 60 seconds! It doesn’t get any more convenient than that!
The water-resistant material and top cover on the CORE 9 helps everyone stay dry. The only real negative of this tent is that it lacks a proper awning over the door, which makes it hard to avoid tracking water inside during rainy weather.
That said, this is still an awesome instant family tent that offers a lot of bang for your buck and is perfect if you are looking for large family tents Australia offers.
What I like:
- Fast and simple set up and pack away
- A large and spacious tent
- Room divider to separate tent into 2 rooms
What I dislike:
- The tent lacks an awning over the door
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Looking for more tent options? Find my guide to the best overall tents here and best beach tent here. Also read our sleeping bag guide here, camping chair here and camp mattresses here. For other items, find all my best camping gear guides here.
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