When most people think of camping in Australia – hot and dusty conditions tend to spring to mind, however for much of the country, especially in the south, the temperature and conditions can be a long way from this, even in spring and autumn.
While people tend to camp less in the cold or wintery conditions, there are still plenty of people that do and they need a way to stay warm that does not rely solely on campfires.
Campfires and fire pits are great, but they can be a fire hazard all year round, produce unwanted smoke and require foraging or buying wood for fuel. Not every place will allow a fire, even in winter.
Never fear, there is always a camping solution at hand and in this list, we have several different heaters for you to keep yourself warm and toasty when the weather is decidedly cold. Whether it’s inside or outside, we have you covered with the best portable camping and tent heaters in Australia.
| Companion Portable LP Gas Camp Heater | Companion Portable Propane Heater | Companion Radiant Gas Heater | Camec 12V Mini Fan Heater | Coghlans Disposable Hand Warmer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Pick ![]() | ![]() | Best Value ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
41H x 38W x 19D cm | 45H x 34W x 20D cm | 20.6W x 12D x 28.5H cm | 20H x 7L x29 H cm | 10L x 6W x 0.5H cm | |
Steel | Steel, plastic | Stainless steel, chrome-plated, aluminium | Plastic, ceramic | Iron, Vermiculate, Carbon, Sodium chloride, water | |
LPG / Propane | LPG / Propane | LPG / Propane | 12V DC | Chemical | |
227 g/hr | 104-153 g/hr | 116 g/hr | N/A | 1 packet = 6 hours | |
Piezo | Piezo | Piezo | Switch | Squeeze packet | |
4.2 kg | 4.2 kg | 0.520 kg | 0.500 kg | 0.040 kg | |
1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | N/A |
Best Portable Camping & Tent Heaters Australia
Companion Portable LP Gas Camp Heater

Our Pick
When you want to get warm fast or are routinely camping in very cold places then the Companion Portable LP Gas Camp heater has few equals. This absolute beast of a heater runs twice the heat (and uses twice the fuel) of any other heater on this list.
As a result, you can warm up outdoor spaces such as a gazebo, or awning fast and keep it that way until you retire to bed. Like other gas heaters, it's dangerous to use this one inside due to carbon monoxide poisoning so it is designed to give you max heat outdoors.
The best way to use this is to have a 'wall' behind you and the Companion LP Gas heater in front of you and it will act as a campfire, reflecting heat back at you from behind.
Customer reviews are almost all very positive as this heater is just so hot and very easy to use. The only negative was that use in high winds can produce some issues with the heater not staying lit.
This high-intensity heater is the perfect one for very cold conditions where you may not be allowed to have a fire and for getting things hot and toasty right outside your tent or caravan.
Companion Portable Propane Heater

Honourable Mention
Next in line from Companion is the Portable Propane heater. This is a very similar priced model to the one above, identical weight and almost the same dimensions. Where this heater differs is in its energy output and fuel use – which are both significantly less.
This means in very cold conditions, this would be more of a personal heater or its best use is for those weather conditions where it’s cold at night, but not freezing. It is used in exactly the same way, outside your tent or caravan as the LP Gas heater, it’s just not quite as hot (but only uses half the fuel).
Customer reviews are all very positive with most people loving this heater both in a camping setting and for use in their garages or for outdoor events at home. The only negative is a connection issue with some gas bottles that appears to be very minor.
While this heater won't melt the snow around you, it will keep things warm around your campsite on chilly nights.
Companion Radiant Gas Heater

Best Value