Choosing a tent used to mean a bag of poles, a cryptic instruction sheet, and a blazing row with your other half in a dark car park. It doesn’t anymore. Today’s tents fall into three main camps — pop-up, inflatable, and rooftop — and picking the right one comes down to how you actually camp. Here’s the honest, no-nonsense rundown so you end up with the right shelter the first time.
Pop-Up Tents — fast, cheap, and cheerful
Pop-up tents use a spring-loaded frame that springs into shape the moment you take it out of the bag. Unpack, peg it down, and you’re done — often in under a minute. They’re the most affordable way to get camping and the easiest to live with for casual trips.
Best for
- First-time campers and families with kids
- Festivals, beach days, and the footy sidelines
- Anyone who wants a spare tent in the boot “just in case”
Keep in mind
- Lighter-duty than inflatable or rooftop options — great for fair-weather and occasional use
- Packing them back down takes a bit of practice (there’s a knack to the fold)
The pick: our Vinyl Pop-Up Camping Tent for quick, sun- and rain-ready shelter, or the sturdier Automatic Pop-Up Rainproof Tent ($329) when the weather might turn.
Inflatable Tents — the sweet spot for family comfort
Inflatable tents swap rigid poles for air beams: you unroll the tent, run a pump for a couple of minutes, and it stands up on its own. The result is a roomy, genuinely comfortable shelter with none of the pole-threading gymnastics. For most Australian families, this is the format that hits the sweet spot between speed, space, and durability.
Best for
- Families and groups who want real standing room and space to spread out
- Weekend and week-long camps where comfort matters
- Campers who want a fast setup without stepping up to a rooftop rig
Keep in mind
- A little heavier and pricier than a basic pop-up — you’re paying for space and build quality
- You’ll want a decent pump on hand (many kits include one)
The pick: the Automatic Inflatable Camping Tent (from $389) for fast family setup, the Green Air Glamping Tent ($549) when you want to camp in comfort, or the big Pakicetus Inflatable Cabin Tent ($449) for larger crews.
Rooftop Tents — basecamp on top of your 4WD
Rooftop tents mount to your roof rack and fold out above the vehicle, getting you up off the ground — away from rocks, water, and creepy-crawlies — and set up in a minute or two wherever you park. They’re the go-to for overlanders, tourers, and anyone who lives for the track.
Best for
- 4WD owners, overlanders, and serious weekend adventurers
- Rough or uneven ground where a floor tent won’t sit well
- Tourers who want to set up and pack down fast at each new spot
Keep in mind
- You’ll need a compatible roof rack rated for the load (tent weight plus occupants)
- The biggest investment of the three — but built to last years of hard use
The pick: the Hard Shell Rooftop Tent ($699) to get started, the premium San Hima Gibb Slimline ($2,599) for the full overland setup, or add a 270° Car Awning ($799) for instant shade at camp.
Quick comparison
| Pop-Up | Inflatable | Rooftop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Under a minute | 2–5 minutes | 1–2 minutes |
| Comfort & space | Basic | Roomy | Elevated, snug |
| Best for | Festivals, families, casual | Family & group comfort | 4WD & overlanding |
| Price range | $ | $$ | $$$ |
| Needs a vehicle? | No | No | Yes (rated roof rack) |
Still not sure?
If you’re new to camping or mostly heading out on fair-weather weekends, start with a pop-up. If you want genuine comfort for the family without the fuss, an inflatable is the sweet spot. And if your idea of a good time is a track, a swag of gear, and camping wherever you end up, a rooftop tent will change the way you travel.
Whatever you’re after, we’ve got a tent for it — at a fair dinkum price. Have a browse of the full tent range and get camp-ready for spring.
🏕 Ready to pitch? Shop all Tents & Shelters → — free shipping on orders over $25, Australia-wide.