For those who will be packing up every morning and setting up every evening, touring tents (aka tourer tents) are ideal. They are tough and rugged to withstand Australian conditions, yet can be set up in mere minutes.
But how do you know which one to buy? Well, I have compared the best touring tents in Australia to help you figure out which one is right for you.
Let’s get straight into it!
Best Touring Tents Australia
OZtrail Tourer 9 Canvas Tent
Our Pick
This canvas tent is outstanding value at just $300. Not only that, but it is well built, sturdy, and spacious, making it (in my opinion) the best touring tent in Australia. It packs down to a compact square shape for easy storage.
The high ceiling at 210cm (great for getting changed in the tent!), large floor space and front and rear doors make it a very comfortable option. The generous 2 year warranty is also much appreciated.
Unfortunately, a few people have complained that their unit was not particularly waterproof, although others have not had any issues. As with all canvas tents, I highly recommend that you season the tent before you head out on your first trip.
The carry bag that the tent comes with is also a bit flimsy and it is probably worth upgrading this if your tent will be seeing a lot of action.
Oztent RV4 Touring Canvas Tent
Runner Up
This tent is widely loved by Australians and generally considered to be one of the best, if not the best, touring tents. If you want a high quality tourer tent and budget isn’t an issue, then look no further.
Unfortunately, the combination of high price, heavier weight and much larger packed volume means that I can’t give it the top spot here.
The Oztent RV4 seems to have better build quality and workmanship than the OZtrail Tourer 9, with no one complaining about waterproofing issues with this tent.
Ultimately, it will come down to whether you are willing to pay more for a better quality, yet heavier tent.
It comes in a variety of sizes, including the RV1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Coleman Instant Up 4P Silver Series Tent
Runner Up
This Coleman Instant Up tent is the first on the list to be made from polyester rather than canvas, which touring tents are traditionally made from.
Despite this, I still think that it is a worthy addition to the list, as it holds up well in a variety of weather conditions and sets up very quickly. Due to the affordable price yet decent build quality, this is one of the most popular instant up tents in Australia.
It comes in 4P, 6P and 8P varieties.
Black Wolf Turbo Lite 210 Tent
Runner Up
I see the Black Wolf Turbo range as a great intermediate option for someone who wants more features than the OZtrail Tourer 9, but doesn’t have the budget for the Oztent RV range.
Despite being of polyester construction, this tent is very well built and stands up well in Australian conditions. I love the front awning, which is very spacious and could fit a couple of chairs and a table, or a lot of gear.
In the latest update to the Black Wolf Turbo range, the mesh and zippers have been upgraded to higher quality versions, which is good to see. The 2,000mm waterproof rating is excellent and more than enough for most conditions.
The 3 year warranty is excellent to see and shows that Black Wolf are confident in the quality of their product.
Coleman 3 Person Swagger Instant Up Tent
Runner Up
Part tent and part swag, this is an interesting option that is not traditionally marketed as a touring tent. However, it’s quick setup and rugged build make it worthy of the title I think.
As with many swags, it has a low ceiling of 120cm, meaning that it isn’t very comfortable for extended trips, but for a few days it will do just fine.
The wide floor plan is another plus, and it can very comfortably sleep 2 people plus gear.
It is widely praised as being very well built and holding up well in adverse weather conditions. Many have commented on how well it handles windy conditions.
It comes in 2 person and 3 person varieties.
What To Look Out For When Buying A Tourer Tent?
Size/Dimensions
Cramming into a tiny tent is no fun at all. Remember that most ‘4 person tents’ can’t actually comfortably sleep 4 people, let alone 4 people with gear. Consider how many people will be using the tent and if in doubt, upgrade to the next size up to be sure.
On long trips especially, larger tents will be much appreciated.
Having a decent ceiling height on your tent is important too. All of the tents bar the Coleman Swagger tent have decent ceiling heights.
Material
Touring tents are traditionally made out of canvas, but I have included a number of options here that are made out of a sturdy polyester instead.
These polyester options tend to be less breathable and more prone to tearing, yet considerably lighter, to take that into consideration.
Not sure whether you should get a canvas or polyester tent? Check out my breakdown of the pros and cons!
Weight
Larger, more feature-rich tents tend to be heavier. If you have to lug your tent quite far from where you park your car, do consider the weight. The tents in this article range from 9kg to 23kg!
Season Rating
Some tents are more suitable for certain weather conditions than others. This is typically expressed with the ‘season rating’. 2 and 3 season tents tend to be for mild to moderate weather, whereas 4 season tents are suitable for use even in cold, wintery conditions.
Waterproofing
Storms are unpredictable in Australia, with sudden, unexpected downpours very common. You don’t want to be woken up at night with water dripping on your face, so make sure that you choose a tent with a decent waterproof rating.
Ratings range from 1,000mm (the lowest rating that is considered waterproof), all the way up to 10,000mm. The Black Wolf Turbo Lite 210 Tent comes with an decent 2,000mm rating.
Ventilation
We all know how brutal and unforgiving the Australian sun can be. Tents can act as greenhouses, trapping in hot air. Make sure that your tent has some ventilation windows to let the hot air escape, otherwise you’ll be in for a hot and sweaty evening.
Canvas can naturally allow more hot air to escape than polyester, as it is a more breathable material.
Setup time
Few people enjoy setting up and packing down tents. Trying to fit both ends of the tent poles onto the pins, clipping the outer layer to the poles, banging tent pegs into rocky ground. It’s not a whole lot of fun.
Thankfully, touring tents are designed to go up in just a few minutes. All of the tents in this article can be set up very quickly with minimal effort.
Warranty
A warranty lets you sleep easy knowing that your tent is covered if it is defective in any way. It is also a good sign that the manufacturer has faith in the quality of their product, and that they stand behind this quality. The Black Wolf Turbo Lite 210 tent comes with an outstanding 3 year warranty.
Build Quality
Poor build quality means a painful tent setup experience, higher risk of accidental damage to the tent, as well as frustrating and flimsy pegs, poles or zippers.
Cheaper tents naturally have poorer build quality, as the manufacturers save on material to keep costs low. The tents I have recommended in this article are all well built and largely free from these issues.
Summary
In my opinion, the OZtrail Tourer 9 is the best touring tent Australia. It is made from high quality canvas, sets up in minutes, is spacious and also very affordable. The 2 year warranty is also a nice touch.
If you are looking for a fully featured tourer tent, check out the Oztent RV4. This is one of the highest quality canvas tents in Australia and is well regarded by many. Unfortunately, it is fairly expensive, heavy and bulky when packed up.
Still have a few questions? Leave me a comment below and I’ll do my best to get back to you as soon as possible!
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