The right Tent for any outdoor activity is a combination of the tent’s use case and build. Whether you are hiking, camping, or planning a weekend getaway with a loved one or family, picking the right tent makes 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. Read along to find your fit!

Note that the Eureka model mentioned under 5-Person tents is also available in 2 Person and 4 Person sizes.

Best 3-PersonTents

1. MSR Mutha Hubba NX 3 Tent

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 also well-positioned for two people, especially if you’re spending more days outside. It provides the utmost comfort in this way.

Key specifications

• Material: Nylon
• Floor Dimensions: 213 x 172 cm
• Packed Size: 53 x 17 cm
• Weight: 1.95 kg

Pros

• 3-Season Rating
• Roomy for three people
• Easy to set up and pack
• Portable
• Waterproof

Cons

• No ceiling pockets

Check Price

2. Coleman Ridgeline Adventure Dome Tent

Coleman’s Ridgeline Adventure Dome Tent is the perfect 3-person tent if you’re camping in a warmer region or season because of its full 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 tent for three-person camping.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 240 x 175 cm
• Packed Size: 42 x 19 cm
• Weight: 2.4 kg

Pros

• Easy to set up
• Portable, easy to carry
• Water-resistant
• 3-Season Rating

Cons

• It can be tight for three people
• Heavier base

Check Price

Best 4 Person Tents

1. Coleman Instant Up 4 Lighted Darkroom Tent

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 whiles 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.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 230 x 230 cm
• Packed Size: 114 x 25 cm
• Weight: 16.8 kg

Pros

• Luxurious features
• Large outer vestibule
• Easy to set up
• Ample ventilation
• Ceiling pockets and storage pacts
• 3-year manufacturer warranty

Cons

• It can be tight for four people
• Heaviest on this list

Check Price

2. Blackwolf Classic Dome 4+ Tent

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. The Blackwolf Classic Dome 4+ Tent is perfect for weekend getaways and outings.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 230 x 230 cm
• Packed Size: 114 x 25 cm
• Weight: 9 kg

Pros

• Interior side-pockets
• Generous head height
• Waterproof
• 3-year manufacturers warranty

Cons

• Heavier than some of the other options here

Check Price

3. Vango Skye 400 4-Person Tent

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; a sleeping area and a storage area. 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 material, polyester material, a polythene base, and fibreglass poles. It has lantern hanging points and interior side pockets. It comes with a darker inner fabric to reduce sunlight and add to the room's warmth. Unlike the other tents in this category, Vango Skye 400 4+ tent is rated all-season. It’s best suited for camping and hiking.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 260 x 410 cm
• Packed Size: 65 x 23cm
• Weight: 6.66 kg

Pros

• Excellent space to a people ratio
• Waterproof
• Fire retardant material
• Separate sleeping & storage area
• Ceiling pockets available

Cons

• Longer set-up time

Check Price

Best 5 Person Tents

1. ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5-Person Outfitter Tent

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 comes with two vestibules and two doors and has a peak height of 183cm. The inner area per person is 1.49 m², 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.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 305 x 244 cm
• Packed Size: 64 x 23 cm
• Weight: 6.04 kg

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

Check Price

2. Mountainsmith Conifer 5 Plus Tent

The Mountainsmith Conifer 5 plus tent is a 3-season rated tent. It’s the highly-rated option among its peers by campers. After its initial setup, the build is partly freestanding (Campers can move the tent around). Mountainsmith has a total area per person of 1.55m², two doors, extra room for storage, and two vestibules that can be converted to improve the room space. The tent is built with a polyester floor that adds up to make it genuinely ultralight. The Mountainsmith Conifer 5 plus tent is better suited for camping and hiking in warmer climates.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 305 x 188 cm
• Packed Size: 56 x 27 cm
• Weight: 6.7 kg

Pros

• Fire retardant material
• More room for storage
• Vestibule area
• Lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects
• Storage pockets

Cons

• Unsuitable for more hostile climates

Check Price

3. Eureka Tetragon NX 5 3-Season Camping Tent

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 m². Its ceiling is meshed to improve ventilation and reduce condensation. Eureka’s 5-person tent is suitable for camping and hiking.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 274 cm x 274.3 cm
• Packed Size: 69 x 17 cm
• Weight: 5.4 kg

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

Check Price

4. NTK Hunter GT 5 to 6 Person Tent

The NKT Hunter GT 5 to 6 Person Tent is the most spacious tent in this category. The 1.8 m² area per person is the highest on this list. You will have enough space to fit five people plus pets. Despite its capacity, it is freestanding and has a peak height of 175 cm. The disadvantage with the NTK Hunter GT 5 to 6 Person Tent is it comes with only one door. It is a 3-season rated tent best suited for camping and hiking. Overall, the NKT Hunter GT 5 to 6 Person Tent is remarkably comfortable and has excellent ventilation for a 5-person tent.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 298 x 298 cm
• Packed Size: 69 x 20 cm
• Weight: 6.9 kg

Pros

• Great price
• Roomy for five people
• Waterproof
• Inner Pockets and pacts
• Easy to set up

Cons

• Heavier than others on the list

Check Price

5. Zempire Pronto 5 Inflatable Air Tent

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 that allows you to pump up or collapse the tent when not in use. 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 190cm is also among the highest.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 280 x 280 cm
• Packed Size: 70 x 40 cm
• Weight: 14.5 kg

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

Check Price

6. Kmart 5 Person Dome Tent with Vestibule

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 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.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 380 x 260 cm
• Packed Size: 56 x 17 cm
• Weight: 5.5 kg

Pros

• Truly lightweight
• Very affordable
• Easy to set up and pack
• Removable flysheet

Cons

• No warranty
• Not waterproof
• Poor build quality

Check Price

Best 6 Person Tents

1. NTK Indy GT XL 6 Person Tent

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 classic family tent. It’s 3-season rated and best suited for camping and hiking, and offers the best trade-off between portability and durability for a team or family of six. With a lantern loop on the ceiling, wall pockets, and spaces inside the inner tent, you’re poised to enjoy a great out.

Key specifications

• Material: Polyester
• Floor Dimensions: 430 x 240 cm
• Packed Size: 66 x 23 cm
• Weight: 7.8 kg

Pros

• Waterproof
• Easy to set up
• Budget-friendly
• Easy to set up
• Excellent price
• Great ventilation

Cons

• No window panels for privacy
• Not particularly lightweight

Check Price

What Informed Our Decisions

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 was 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.

The Best Lightweight Family Tents Available in Australia

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

We would love to hear from you if you find this research helpful; please use the comments below to tell us whether you agree with the findings or have further questions.