The right tent for any outdoor activity is a combination of the tent’s use case and build quality. Whether you are hiking, camping, or planning a weekend getaway with a loved one or family, picking the right tent can make all the difference.
This guide breaks down the best lightweight tents available in Australia, categorised under tent size and capacity, to help you quickly decide. We also include value headings to make your adventure a memorable one. Read along to find your fit and discover more about family outdoor campings.
Our Top Picks
Pressed for time? Here are our top picks for the best lightweight family tents in Australia:
MSR Mutha Hubba NX 3
Best 3-person family tent with a packed weight of 1.95 kg, floor dimensions measuring 213 x 172 cm, and nylon build material.
ALPS Outfitter Tent
Best 4/5-person tent with a packed weight of 6.04 kg, floor dimensions of 305 x 244 cm, and polyester build material.
NTK Indy GT XL Tent
Best 6-person tent with a packed weight of 7.8 kg, floor dimensions measuring 430 x 240 cm, and is constructed from polyester.
Our in-depth reviews and comparisons below aren't ordered from the best to the least recommended. Instead, they are grouped by tent capacity to help you quickly decide the best fit for your family's outdoor and camping needs.
Best 3-Person Tents
Three-person tents are ideal for accommodating a small group of campers or providing extra space for a couple with additional gear during outdoor adventures. Here are the best 3-person lightweight family tents in Australia.
1. MSR Mutha Hubba NX 3 Tent
Floor dimensions: 213 x 172 cm
Packed size: 53 x 17 cm
Weight: 1.95 kg
The MSR Mutha Hubba NX 3 Tent is a 3-season rated tent with a lot of room space for three persons. The tent compresses down very well and is easy to carry without a vehicle. MSR’s tent is built with Nylon but has Xtreme Shield waterproof coating, which adds to the tent's durability.
It comes with a rainfly that can be raised on warmer or sunny days to improve ventilation. MSR Mutha Hubba’s 3-person tent is well-positioned for two people, especially if you spend more days outside. It provides good comfort this way.
Pros
- 3-season rating
- Roomy for three people
- Easy to set up and pack
- Waterproof
Cons
- No ceiling pockets
2. Coleman Ridgeline Adventure Dome Tent
Floor dimensions: 240 x 175 cm
Packed size: 42 x 19 cm
Weight: 2.4 kg
Coleman’s Ridgeline Adventure Dome Tent is the perfect 3-person tent for camping in a warmer region or season because of its ultra-fine mesh inner. The tent is water-resistant, easy to set up, and built with Polyester materials with two lightweight aluminium poles.
Its best use cases are camping, hiking, and backpacking. Aside from its heavier base due to the material used, the Coleman Ridgeline Adventure Dome Tent is arguably among the best lightweight tents for three-person camping.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Portable, easy to carry
- Water-resistant
- 3-season rating
Cons
- Heavier base
- It can be tight for three people
Best 4-Person Tents
Get a 4-person tent if you are planning to camp with a larger group or desire additional space for gear and comfort during your outdoor excursions. Here are the best lightweight options to choose from.
3. Coleman Instant Up Darkroom Tent
Floor dimensions: 230 x 230 cm
Packed size: 114 x 25 cm
Weight: 16.8 kg
You will like the Coleman Instant Up 4-Person Darkroom Tent if you are a dark-theme person. The tent is built with dark-room fabric that blocks up to 95% sunlight while reducing indoor heat by 5%.
It comes with in-built LED lights that provide a relaxed and luminous atmosphere for reading or romance. Unlike the other tents in this category, Coleman’s 4-person tent comes with a doormat. It has one entrance and three windows that help reduce condensation.
Pros
- Luxurious features
- Large outer vestibule
- Easy to set up
- Good ventilation
- Ceiling pockets and storage pacts
- 3-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- It can be tight for four people
- Heaviest on this list
4. Blackwolf Classic Dome 4+ Tent
Floor dimensions: 230 x 230 cm
Packed size: 114 x 25 cm
Weight: 9 kg
The Blackwolf Classic Dome 4-person tent is the heaviest in this category. If you’re looking for an ultralight 4-person tent, this option might not be for you. The tent is also built with an HD polythene floor that provides dark interiors.
The advantage of the Blackwolf Classic Dome 4+ tent over others in this list is the added interior window covers. It comes with a front vestibule and an inner no-see-um mesh to keep bugs out or improve ventilation during warmer weather. It's perfect for weekend getaways and outings.
Pros
- Interior side-pockets
- Generous head height
- Waterproof
- 3-year manufacturers warranty
Cons
- Heavier than some of the other options here
5. Vango Skye 400 4-Person Tent
Floor dimensions: 260 x 410 cm
Packed size: 65 x 23 cm
Weight: 6.7 kg
Vango Skye 400 is a tunnel tent. Ergo, it provides an excellent trade-off between size, space, and capacity. The Vango Skye 400 comes in two parts; sleeping and storage areas. Campers can convert the storage area to add length to the sleeping area and improve comfort for four people.
The tent is built from fire-retardant, polyester, polyethylene base, and fibreglass poles. It has lantern hanging points and interior side pockets. It has a darker inner fabric to reduce sunlight and add warmth to the room. Unlike the other tents in this category, the Vango Skye 400 4+ tent is rated all-season.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Excellent space-to-people ratio
- Fire retardant material
- Separate sleeping & storage area
- Ceiling pockets available
Cons
- Longer set-up time
Best 5-Person Tents
Five-person tents are suitable for accommodating a larger group of campers while providing extra space for added comfort and storage during outdoor trips. If you have a family of five or less, here are the best lightweight tents for all your outdoor adventures.
6. ALPS Mountaineering Outfitter Tent
Floor dimensions: 305 x 244 cm
Packed size: 64 x 23 cm
Weight: 6.04 kg
Just as its name suggests, the ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5-Person Outfitter Tent is the perfect five-person tent for mountaineering expeditions. It has excellent build quality, a nylon Oxford floor for durability, aluminium poles, and mesh roof vents for ventilation.
The tent has two vestibules, two doors, and a peak height of 183 cm. The inner area per person is 1.49 sqm, but the two vestibules are convertible and can add more room space. Overall, the 3-season rated tent is aesthetically pleasing and reliable with high-quality materials and craftsmanship.
Pros
- Two vestibules
- Excellent build quality
- Good ventilation
- Easy to set up
- Waterproof
Cons
- It can be tight for five people
- Stuffy with the rainfly on
- Not strong enough for high winds
7. Mountainsmith Conifer 5 Plus Tent
Floor dimensions: 305 x 188 cm
Packed size: 56 x 27 cm
Weight: 6.7 kg
The Mountainsmith Conifer 5 plus tent is a 3-season rated tent. It’s the highly-rated option among its peers by campers. After setup, the build is partly freestanding with a total area per person of 1.55 sqm, two doors, an extra storage room, and two vestibules that can be converted to improve the room space.
Mountainsmith's Conifer 5 Plus Tent is built with a polyester floor that adds up to make it genuinely ultralight. It's better suited for camping and hiking in warmer climates.
Pros
- Fire retardant material
- More room for storage
- Vestibule area
- Lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects
- Storage pockets
Cons
- Unsuitable for more hostile climates
8. Eureka Tetragon NX 5 Camping Tent
Floor dimensions: 274 cm x 274.3 cm
Packed size: 69 x 17 cm
Weight: 5.4 kg
The Eureka Tetragon NX 5-person tent is another freestanding tent. Unlike the other options in this category, it comes with only one door and a much lighter material build. The poles, for example, are made from fibreglass, which is a bit weak for a tent of this capacity.
These, however, add to its budget-friendliness. The Eureka Tetragon NX 5 3-Season Camping Tent has a peak height of 183 cm and a total area per person of 1.5 sqm. Its ceiling is meshed to improve ventilation and reduce condensation. Eureka’s 5-person tent is suitable for camping and hiking.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight as compared to others
- Easy to use and set up
- Waterproof
Cons
- It can be tight for five people
- Light tent material
9. Zempire Pronto 5 Inflatable Air Tent
Floor dimensions: 280 x 280 cm
Packed size: 70 x 40 cm
Weight: 14.5 kg
The Zempire Pronto 5 Inflatable Air Tent is the easiest tent to set up and pack on this list. It features an inflation and deflation point, allowing you to pump up or collapse the tent when not used.
While inflating, it's essential not to overpressure the poles. The tent also comes with a bug-proof mesh that improves the ventilation significantly, together with its three external windows, and prevents insects from entering.
Though the 3-season rated tent has a capacity of five, we recommend it for four for maximum comfort. Its peak height of 190 cm is also among the highest.
Pros
- Easy to set up and pack
- Waterproof
- Good ventilation
- 2-year manufacturers warranty
- Holds up well in unfavourable weather
Cons
- Careful setup process
- Not particularly light
- It can be tight for five people
10. Kmart 5-Person Dome Tent
Floor dimensions: 380 x 260 cm
Packed size: 56 x 17 cm
Weight: 5.5 kg
If you’re looking to go camping with your family on a shoestring budget, the Kmart 5-Person Dome Tent is your best choice. The tent is lightweight due to its thin build material, negatively impacting durability and quality.
We recommend careful use of it, mainly because it comes without a manufacturer's warranty. Its peak height is among the lowest in this category and is much more comfortable for a group of three plus pets instead of the 5-person capacity.
Pros
- Truly lightweight
- Very affordable
- Easy to set up and pack
- Removable flysheet
Cons
- No warranty
- Not waterproof
- Poor build quality
Best 6-Person Tents
If you're planning a long family camping trip, six-person tents provide generous space and comfort, ensuring a cosy and enjoyable outdoor experience for the whole family. We recommend the NTK Indy GT XL 6-Person Tent for its lightweight build and easy setup.
11. NTK Indy GT XL 6-Person Tent
Floor dimensions: 430 x 240 cm
Packed size: 66 x 23 cm
Weight: 7.8 kg
Although tents of this size cannot be completely lightweight, the NTK Indy GT XL 6-Person Tent is one of the best in weight among its peers. The tent comes with two doors, two windows, and three vents. It is also built to provide a back area and a front porch. It has a peak height of 190 cm, which is also the highest.
The NTK Indy GT XL 6-Person Tent is a 3-season rated, best suited for camping and hiking, and offers the best trade-off between portability and durability for a team or family of six. You'll enjoy the great outdoors with its lantern loop on the ceiling, wall pockets, and spaces inside the inner tent.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Easy to set up
- Budget-friendly
- Great ventilation
Cons
- No window panels for privacy
- Not particularly lightweight
Our Evaluation Process
To compile and complete this guide, we focused on four main categories for our testing and research.
- 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 cut.
- Second, we considered the size and capacity. This factor was essential to categorise the tents under 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.
- 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.
- 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.
We considered other secondary qualities, including interior pockets, pacts, lantern hanging features, number of doors and windows, and set-up time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions on the use of lightweight family tents in Australia.
What should I consider when buying a new tent?
First, consider the size if you intend to share your tents with anyone other than yourself. You should also have enough space to store your essential gear. Then, evaluate the tent material.
Some tents are made from specific materials, allowing weather resistance to harsh weather conditions. Of course, the weight you can carry while backpacking and the size of the tent when packed are important.
What are the different types of tents?
Depending on your preference, you may be surprised to learn that various types of tents are available on the market. These range from hiking tents, camping tents, roof-top tents, etc. Their shape can also vary; some tents are dome-shaped, whilst others come in the classic V-shape many people are accustomed to.
How much does a lightweight tent weigh?
Some lightweight backpacking tents weigh as little as 1.3 kg, whereas others are much larger and heavier. This depends on the size of the light tent you purchase, the materials used to make the tent, and the type of framework the tent has. The framework alone can cause the tent to be heavier, depending on which metal the frame is made of.
What is a lightweight backpacking tent?
A lightweight backpacking tent is designed for backpackers and hikers on camping or hiking trips. The light tent provides minimalist shelter and can be carried around easily for convenience. These lightweight tents allow you to have the tent on your back easily. They typically weigh about 500 g to 2 kg or more, allowing you to fit the lightweight tent into your backpack.
Mark Thompson
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 particularly 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?
Having a tent with a suitable floor is a good option. Only a few tents come with footprints (also known as a ground sheet) on purchase. Most often, you would have to purchase a footprint separately.
Footprints are better used for uneven surfaces, e.g., gravel surfaces, and will allow the floor of your tent to remain dry. They separate the sheets that you place on the ground underneath your tent, protecting the floor of your tent from further abrasion.
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 for Australians — Roundup
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:
- MSR Mutha Hubba NX 3 Tent – The Best Three-Person Tent
- Vango Skye 400 4-Person Tent - The Best Four-Person Tent
- Eureka Tetragon NX 5 3-Season - The Best Value-Five Person Tent
- NTK Indy GT XL 6 Person Tent – The Best Six-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.
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