Advice we’d give to a friend

The Basics

How important is weight? - Weight does make a big difference to your hiking enjoyment; however, it’s not necessarily the defining feature you should look for. Some models reduce weight by cutting back on the sleeping size or quality, but the best lightweight hiking tents don’t. In our view, a good quality tent weighing around 2kg is light enough. When we analyse weight, we’re looking at the typical trail weight of the tent (eg. what we’d actually take hiking, which excludes items like footprints, non-essential pegs etc).

How many ‘season’ tent do I need? - In almost all conditions in Australia, a 3-season tent is best. 4-season tents are more for very cold/snowy conditions, so unless you are planning on hiking in Tasmania in winter, 3 is enough. Another thing to consider is that 4 season tents trap the heat and can get very hot in the warmer months which is when most of us are hiking anyway. All tents reviewed are 3-season, 2-person hiking tents for this reason.

Are hiking tents easy to set up? - Yes. Almost all the models we tested take only a couple of minutes to set up. The best hiking tents are very cleverly designed and easy to use.

What features are important? - In terms of cosmetic items, we’d want something with double vestibules for a bit of extra storage space, single or double pole setup, and at least 2 internal pockets. Weight, durability and a comfortable sleeping space are obviously the other key features that make up the best hiking tents in Australia, which we talk about in our comprehensive hiking tent reviews by category below.

Budget

When it comes to 2 person hiking tents we think you can get something decent without dropping a ton of cash. There are always exceptions to the rule but at the time of writing we could break the market into three categories:

Over $800 - This will typically get you the best lightweight hiking tents.

$400 to $800 - These tents are still great and not really that much different to the high-end models. There are some really great options in this price range as well.

Under $400 - Typically speaking, these tents are cramped or made from cheap materials that can fall apart. We suggest spending a bit more so you don’t regret your purchase.

Think about how will you use it

Are you going to only use it for hiking or camping as well? Will you go on short hiking trips or long trips? These are important factors to consider if you are going to get an allrounder, pure hiking tent or something better suited to camping.

Considerations for Australian Conditions

Australia’s trails and weather can be pretty varied, so it’s worth thinking about how your tent will cope. From hot, dry outback conditions to cooler alpine regions, you want something that’s durable, well-ventilated and able to handle the occasional heavy rain.

A few practical tips for Australian hikers:

• Ventilation - Australian summers can get hot and humid, so a tent that breathes will make a huge difference, preventing condensation and keeping you comfortable at night.

• UV resistance & sun damage - The harsh Aussie sun can degrade fabrics over time. Look for tents with UV-protected flysheets and covers to keep the material lasting longer.

• Durable materials - Strong flysheets and floors help cope with rough terrain, rocky tracks, or sharp surfaces.

• Freestanding design - Makes setup easier on uneven or hard ground, where pegging can be tricky.

• Local warranty and repairs - Buying from brands with Australian distributors means easier warranty claims and access to replacement parts if needed, saving hassle during multi-day hikes or longer trips.

Choosing a tent with these points in mind will make hiking across Australia far more comfortable and stress-free, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a multi-day adventure.

Safety Checklist

• Check Track and Weather Conditions - Always verify trail status and weather forecasts before heading out, using official sources like Parks Victoria and Trail Hiking Australia for updates.

• Inform Someone of Your Itinerary - Share your planned route and expected return time with a trusted person, and in case of emergency, contact 000 immediately.

• Carry Essential Safety Gear - Equip yourself with a map, compass, first aid kit and sufficient water, and possibly consider a personal locator beacon (PLB) if you’re hiking to remote areas.

Ratings By Category

Method

After reviewing the market we pick what we think will be the best hiking tents in each category from a variety of retailers. Each product selected gets 50 points automatically just for being selected. We then perform field tests and in person assessments to rank them out of 10 on the following categories: Comfort, Construction, Features, Size/Weight and Versatility.

Rankings are adjusted or weighted based on importance and how much they vary e.g. some categories will be categorised from 1 to 10 whereas others 4 to 9 etc. but there are sometimes outliers as well. We have tried our best to paint an accurate picture of how we rate each tent overall and why.

If you are looking for the best hiking tent in Australia, this is where we hope to provide you with all the details. We believe good hiking tent reviews should provide you with all the info you need to decide.

Afterword

We hope you enjoyed our reviews of the best lightweight hiking tents in Australia!

Really most of the hiking tents we reviewed were great and you don’t have to spend a bundle to get something that will be great for Australian conditions. If you would like us to review a product or have any feedback we’d love to hear from you, feel free to drop us a note.

If you do purchase and are out in your hiking tent in Australia please share some pics with us — we’d love to see you in action.