Picking the right tent for outdoor activities depends on how you’ll use it and how well it’s made. Whether it's for hiking, camping, or weekend trips with family or friends, your tent choice makes a big difference.
In this guide, we break down the best lightweight tents in Australia, categorised by tent size and capacity, to help you quickly decide. Read on to find your fit and learn more about family outdoor camping.
Our Top Picks
Here are our top three picks if you must make a quick purchase:
Naturehike Cloud Up 3P Tent
Best 3-person family tent with a packed weight of 2.3 kg, floor dimensions measuring 215 × 180 cm, and polyester build material.
Coleman Instant Up 4P Tent
Best 4-person tent with a packed weight of 16.3 kg, floor dimensions of 230 x 230 cm, and polyester build material.
UNP 10-Person Family Tent
The best 10-person tent, weighing 9.9 kg when packed, offers spacious floor dimensions of 548 × 274 cm, and durable polyester build for camping.
Top 6 Tents for Family Adventures
We examined each tent’s key features, ease of setup, durability in different weather conditions, and comfort for your family. We also evaluated spacing and ventilation for weather protection and convenience, ensuring a great experience.
1. Naturehike Mongar 2P Tent
Floor dimensions: 207 x 135 cm
Packed size: 58 x 16 cm
Weight: 2.4 kg
The Naturehike Mongar Tent is a lightweight two-person shelter for backpacking, hiking, and cycling trips. It is constructed using 210T polyester fabric with a 3000 mm waterproof rating on both the fly and floor. The tent protects in three-season conditions. Its double-layer design enhances resistance against rain and wind, while the structure remains stable when properly secured.
Ventilation in the dome tent is supported by the high-density B3 mesh inner tent, which promotes airflow and helps minimise condensation. The dual-door configuration, combined with two vestibules, improves accessibility and allows flexible airflow management. The vestibules also provide practical storage space for gear, especially useful in wet conditions.
Mongar's interior comfort aligns well with realistic expectations for a two-person tent. It comfortably accommodates two sleepers, though space may feel tighter when storing larger gear inside. The tent’s floor width and internal volume remain comparable to standard double-bed dimensions, offering a good compromise between compactness and livability.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Dual doors and vestibules
- Good ventilation and airflow
- Quick and easy setup
- Waterproof
Cons
- Interior can feel tight with extra gear
- Limited internal storage options
2. Naturehike Cloud Up 3P Tent
Floor dimensions: 215 × 180 cm
Packed size: 51 × 18 cm
Weight: 2.3 kg
The Naturehike Cloud Up 3 Person Tent is a lightweight option for backpacking, hiking, and general camping. At 2.3 kg, the tent remains portable for lightweight camping and shared-load backpacking trips. It's built as a freestanding dome tent with a two-pole aluminium structure, focusing on portability, quick setup, and practical weather protection for three-season use.
The Cloud Up 3 uses 210T polyester fabric with a PU 3000 mm waterproof coating. The rainfly performs well in moderate weather, while the dome structure offers stable performance when properly secured. You get breathable B3 mesh panels that improve airflow and ventilation, reducing condensation and maintaining comfort inside the tent.
Although rated for three people, the tent is more comfortable for two adults with gear, with extra space for storage and movement. And as with many lightweight tents, long-term durability benefits from careful handling and the use of a footprint to protect the floor, particularly on rough or abrasive surfaces.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Quick and easy setup
- Good ventilation with mesh panels
- Reliable rainfly waterproof rating
- Durable aluminium poles
Cons
- Tight for three adults
- Floor durability requires careful handling
- Footprint strongly recommended
3. Coleman Instant Up 4P Tent
Floor dimensions: 230 x 230 cm
Packed size: 114 x 25 cm
Weight: 16.8 kg
The Coleman Instant Up is perfect for privacy, comfort, and restful sleep. Its Dark Room fabric blocks up to 95% of sunlight, keeping the tent cooler and reducing heat by 5°. The tent's instant setup hub frame lets you pitch it in under two minutes, making it hassle-free for beginners.
Coleman's tent has built-in LED strip lighting, offering a convenient and adjustable illumination source for reading, relaxing, or setting the mood. Its spacious design includes a front vestibule for extra storage and living space, interior organisers, and a storage hammock to keep essentials tidy. The front door can be extended with the included awning poles for added shade, and the Coleman Circle Ventilation system ensures excellent airflow.
With a maximum head height of 190 cm and space for a queen airbed, the Coleman Instant Up Dark Room Tent is fantastic for small families or couples seeking comfort and practicality on their outdoor adventures.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Ceiling pockets and storage pacts
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
- Luxurious features
Cons
- It can be tight for four people
- Heaviest on this list
4. Camel Crown 5P Tent
Floor dimensions: 270 x 270 cm
Weight: 4.8 kg
The CAMEL CROWN 5 Person is lightweight, with a generous floor area and a dome-style structure for families, casual campers, and weekend adventurers. It is built with a 190T polyester flysheet and has a 2000 mm water resistance rating. The tent is suitable for various weather conditions with an Oxford cloth base for durability and moisture protection, and a fibreglass pole structure to keep the frame lightweight and flexible.
The two-pole dome design allows for quick assembly in around five minutes. Once set up, the tent’s interior dimensions of 2.7 × 2.7 metres provide a spacious sleeping area that can accommodate multiple occupants. There's also a large tent porch that adds additional functional space for storage or shaded relaxation. The tent is rated for up to five people, but for real-world comfort, it is better suited for four adults or a small family with gear.
Ventilation is supported through mesh panels and a window. This promotes airflow and reduces heat buildup, contributing to a more comfortable internal environment during warmer conditions.
Pros
- Spacious interior
- Quick and easy setup
- Lightweight for a large dome tent
- Good ventilation design
- Affordable
Cons
- Waterproof performance varies
- Fibreglass poles less durable than aluminium
- Limited storage pockets
5. Ever Advanced 6P Blackout Tent
Floor dimensions: 274 × 274 cm
Packed size: 20 × 121 cm
Weight: 9.9 kg
The EVER ADVANCED 6 Person Blackout Camping Tent is built in a cabin-style structure with pre-attached poles. It has an open size of 274 × 274 cm and a height of 185 cm, comfortably accommodating small families or groups with gear.
Its standout feature is the blackout fabric design, which uses Dark Rest technology to block a significant amount of sunlight, helping you sleep longer into the morning and maintain privacy within the tent. You also get convenient features like internal storage pockets, hanging loops for lights or accessories, and an electrical pass-through for external power sources.
The blackout tent has good ventilation supported by three large zippered mesh windows, an overhead mesh panel, and a rainfly that allows visibility through the skylight panel. These openings promote airflow and help dissipate heat. The tent's weather resistance is rated at 4000 mm, providing excellent protection against moderate rain and varied weather conditions.
Pros
- Extremely fast instant setup
- Large mesh windows for ventilation
- Strong rain resistance rating
- Convenient internal storage features
- Effective blackout fabric
Cons
- Heavier than typical lightweight tents
- Snug fit at full 6-person capacity
- Blackout fabric can trap heat in hot sun
- Floor material feels thin
6. UNP 10-Person Family Tent
Floor dimensions: 548 × 274 cm
Packed size: 26 × 65 cm
Weight: 9.9 kg
The UNP 10 Person Family Camping Tent is for large groups, family camping, and outdoor gatherings. With dimensions of 548 × 274 feet and a height of 198 cm, the tent offers a spacious interior that accommodates up to ten sleeping bags or multiple air mattresses.
It has a two-room layout, created using the included divider curtain, which improves privacy and makes the tent more functional for families or shared camping arrangements.
UNP's tent is constructed from 100% polyester fabric with a PU1000 mm water resistance rating. The 10-person tent is built for three-season conditions. It also has a double-layer design with a full rainfly that helps protect against light to moderate rain, while taped seams enhance water resistance.
If you're worried about ventilation, UNP's tent has five large mesh windows, two mesh doors, and a full mesh roof that promotes airflow and helps reduce condensation. The mesh ceiling also enhances visibility, allowing for stargazing and a brighter interior during the day.
Pros
- Easier setup
- Extremely spacious interior
- Two-room privacy divider
- Good ventilation
Cons
- Waterproof performance varies
- Fibreglass poles less durable
- Large footprint
Our Evaluation Process
To complete this guide, we focused on four primary factors during research, alongside secondary qualities like interior pockets, pacts, lantern hanging features, number of doors and windows, and set-up time.
#1 — Weight
The first, which is obvious, is weight. The tent's weight greatly influenced which one made it to our list and which couldn’t make the list.
#2 — Size and capacity
Second, we considered the size and capacity. This factor was essential to categorise the tents by person capacity.
Though most tent manufacturers and brands highlight their tent capacity, it can be tricky if you’re spending more days outside. We recommend you take the tent capacity on this list with a pinch of salt.
#3 — Season ratings
The third factor that influenced our list is season ratings. Season ratings tell when and where you can use your tent and which weather conditions best suit it.
All-season tents offer greater flexibility than 3-season-rated tents and 2-season-rated tents. The majority of tents in this list are 3-season rated. 3-season tents can withstand the typical conditions associated with backpacking: rain, wind, light hail, and cold weather.
#4 — Build quality
The final concluding factor is the build quality and durability. Tents are constructed from various materials, with the most common being nylon and polyester. It is fair to mention that though the build quality matters, the durability of your tent mostly depends on how you handle it.
Whether camping or hiking, avoid sharp edges and rocks that could cause damage to your tents. Always seek to set your tent on smooth or level surfaces.
FAQs
What are the different types of tents?
Depending on your use case, there are hiking tents, camping tents, and roof-top tents. By shape, some tents are dome-shaped, whilst others come in the classic V-shape many people are accustomed to.
What should I look for in a family tent?
First, check for the size. Your family tent should be spacious enough to accommodate your family and pet, if you have any, without discomfort. Then look out for the number of doors and windows available since this is crucial to the ventilation in your tent—nobody likes a stuffy tent.
Having more than one door is useful to not climb over each other when one person wants to exit the tent. The zipper should also be durable and not be too noisy when opening and shutting the door.
Do I need a footprint for my tent?
A tent footprint is designed for use on uneven surfaces, such as gravel, and helps keep the floor of your tent dry. It acts as a protective layer between the ground and the tent floor, preventing abrasion and damage. This additional layer helps extend the lifespan of your tent by shielding it from rough or sharp ground surfaces.
Mark Thompson
Why trust expertEasy?
At expertEasy, we're passionate about helping you have the best camping experience possible. Our team of experts researches, tests, and evaluates products to provide reliable, unbiased, and informative reviews to help you make purchasing decisions based on facts and not sales pitches.
Our reviews are based on a combination of hands-on testing, research, and analysis of customer feedback. We update our reviews frequently based on new information or product availability changes to ensure you're getting the most up-to-date recommendations.
Mark
Best Lightweight Family Tents
There you have it, our complete guide to parading the best lightweight tent in Australia. Our final picks for each size are below if you just skipped through it:
- Naturehike Mongar 2P Tent – Best 2-Person Tent
- Naturehike Cloud Up 3P Tent – Best 3-Person Tent
- Coleman Instant Up 4P Tent - Best 4-Person Tent
- Camel Crown 5P Tent - Best 5-Person Tent
- Ever Advanced 6P Blackout Tent – Best 6-Person Tent
- UNP 10-Person-Family Tents – Best 10-Person Tent
Looking for tents for more specific camping needs? Read our in-depth guide on the best options for hiking, motorcycle camping, hardshell rooftop camping, and 1-person camping adventures.
We also recommend reading our essential camping preparations guide and checklist to ensure a smooth outdoor adventure. From gear essentials to safety tips, we provide a detailed checklist to help you organise an enjoyable and stress-free camping trip with your family.
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}