The Complete Guide to the Best Pop Up Tents Australia 2020

If you’re looking at getting a new tent, or even if this is the very first time purchasing a tent, we highly recommend you consider getting a pop up tent.  With the best pop up tents, Australia offers campers; your tent will quite literally set up in minutes!

We persevered with a big old giant Taj Mahal style tent for years that took hours to put up.  When we first heard about camping pop up tents, we jumped straight on to read some pop up tent reviews to see if they were worth the hype.  We then decided to buy the best pop up tent for camping which everyone was recommending (spoiler alert – we got the Coleman Gold Series) and have never looked back.

If you’re already convinced a pop up tent (or instant up tent which they are also called) is for you but wondering what’s the best pop up tent, then this is the perfect guide for you.  Perhaps this is the first time you’ve even heard of a pop up tent, so just want to find out more – then this best pop up tent review guide is also for you.

In these top pop up tents reviews, I’ll first take you through exactly what is a pop up tent and WHY they certainly are worth all the hype.  Then I’ll take you through the various things you need to consider to purchase the best instant up tent for you.  Lastly, I’ll take a closer look at some good quality pop up tent options currently available in Australia.

No matter what sort of pop up tent you’re after, whether that be the best family pop up tent or a smaller tent like the best 2 man pop up tent, then hopefully you’ll find just what you’re after in this instant up tent reviews.

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Our Choice for The Best Pop Up Tent Australia 2020: Coleman Gold Series

If you don’t fancy reading our entire pop up tents review and just want to know what is the best pop up tent in our view?  We recommend the Coleman Gold Series as the best easy up tent.  Coleman is probably the best pop up tent brand around, and this is the tent we have and just love it.

This Coleman pop up tent comes in a range of sizes (4 man, 6 man, 8 man or 10 man) and so is perfect for groups of friends or families of all sizes.  This Coleman easy pop up tent literally goes up in minutes, plus it’s a high-quality, durable tent that will protect you in a range of weather conditions.

Click here to check it out.

Keep reading below for our full Coleman tent review or check out our video here showing you around our very own Coleman pop up family tent.

Compare the Best Pop Up Tents Australia 2020

In the table below we’ve listed all the easy pop up tents that we review in this guide.  The table is a quick way to compare each of the best pop up tent Australia offers and their features side by side.

Name		Sleeps	Material Tent / Floor	Poles	Tent Height	Check Price
Coleman Silver Series		4, 6 or 8	150D Polyester / Polyethylene	16/20mm Steel	190 cm	Check Price
Coleman Gold Series		4, 6, 8 or 10	75D Rip Stop Polyester / 420D Polyoxford	16/20mm Steel	190 cm	Check Price
Oztrail Fast Frame Cruiser		4, 6, 8 or 10	150D Rip Stop Polyester / Heavy Duty Dry Floor	16/20mm Steel	195 cm	Check Price
Oztrail Fast Frame Roamer		5, 8 or 10	150D Rip Stop Polyester / Heavy Duty Dry Floor	16/20mm Steel	200 cm	Check Price
ZOMAKE		2	PU3000 Polyester / 210D Polyoxford	Fiberglass	140 cm	Check Price
Am Ayamaya		4	PU3000 Polyester / 210D Polyoxford	Fiberglass	136 cm	Check Price
Caribee		3	PU2000 Polyester / Heavy Duty PE	Fiberglass	120 cm	Check Price
Explore Planet Earth Speedy		2 or 3	40D Polyester / 210D Polyoxford	Aluminium	105 cm	Check Price
Malamoo Cicara		2, 3 or 4	680D Polyester / Polyoxford	Fiberglass	125 cm	Check Price
Outdoor Connection		2, 3 or 4	680D Polyester / Polyoxford	Fiberglass	140 cm	Check Price

What is a Pop Up Tent and Why Should You Get One?

So first things first, what is a pop tent?  A pop-up tent (also referred to as an instant tent or easy up tent) is probably the easiest tent to set up available on the Australian market.

These easy to put up tents come with all the poles attached already, so all you have to do is put it in position, click the poles into place and pull the rainfly over.  You’ll have this type of tent set up in 1-2 minutes, sometimes even seconds!

These instant set up tents have become very popular as they’re so easy to set up.  These tents are perfect for families with young kids as you don’t have to worry about trying to entertain them while setting up the tent.

Pop up tents for camping are lightweight, so they are easier to transport to your camping site.  Plus they are just as durable and weatherproof as most of the other tents available on the market.

Understanding the Tent Make Up

If you’re new to camping, you may not quite understand some of the different parts that make up a tent or their purpose.  Understanding the different parts of a tent is essential to ensuring you purchase the best instant pop up tent.  So let’s look at a few of the most important components below:

Rainfly 

An easy pop up tent will come in two pieces:  the main part of the tent, which is referred to as the tent body; and then the rainfly. However sometimes these two parts are integrated.

The rainfly is the floorless, waterproof outer layer that goes over the tent body. The purpose of a rainfly is to prevent rain from getting inside the tent.  Rainflys come in either full coverage (essential for high winds and heavy downpours) or partial coverage (ok for light showers).

While most good pop up tents come with either a full or partial coverage rainfly, some don’t come with one at all (they can be purchased separately).  So consider the sort of camping you’ll be doing and what is necessary for you.

Vestibule 

Vestibules are the little front entrances or small rooms at the front of the pop up tent, like a porch.  Vestibules provide some extra space for you to leave items that you don’t want inside making a mess of your tent like shoes.  Some vestibules are so large that they provide a great covered spot for you to sit.

If you plan on adding a gazebo to your campsite up, a large vestibule (or a vestibule at all), may not be necessary.  We don’t tend to use the vestibule on our tent as we do all our living under the gazebo.

Weather 

Tents tend to come as 3 season or 4 season (also referred to as all-weather) tents. For the Australian climate, for the most part, a 3-season lightweight pop up tent will do the trick as these tents are suited to camping in most kinds of weather.

If you intend on camping in the snow, then you will need a 4-season instant pop up camping tent.

Material & Ventilation 

Pop up tents tend to come in nylon/polyester, which is lightweight and great at keeping you dry but do tend to heat up rather fast in the sun.   

How to Choose the Best Pop Up Tent for Camping

Ok, so you’re convinced that an easy pop up camping tent is the way to go.  However before rushing out and buying the first quick pop up tent you find, I urge you to take some time to consider what you really need from your tent.

To ensure you purchase the best quality pop up tent for you, consider the following factors.

How Many People?

First things first, just because a tent says it’s the best 4 person pop up tent, doesn’t mean it will comfortably accommodate 4 people.  The number specified on the tent describes how many people can sleep side by side in sleeping bags (not on a comfortable air mattress), without any room left over for any personal belongings – as you can see in the image above.

So the best 4 man pop up tent literally means 4 people sleep side by side, with no extra room in between.  In reality, it is probably better suited to 2 or 3 people in comfort!  For example, as I mentioned earlier, we have both a four person pop up tent and a 6 person pop up tent with the 6 person being a little more comfortable for the 3 of us.

To ensure you have the best pop up camping tent that accommodates your family or group of friends comfortably, I recommend you look for a tent that says it’s for at least an additional two people than you require. Even double the number if you want more space.    If you or anyone in your group is particularly large, you’re going to want to for at least double, maybe even more.

So, for example, the best pop up tent for 4 people would be a 6 man pop up tent, or even an 8 person pop up tent.  This will provide you with plenty of room for bedding as well as some space for your personal belongings.

Unfortunately, there is no standard sizing between any of the easy pop up tents for sale, as they come in all shapes, sizes and designs.  Use the following information as a basic guide:

• 2 Person Tent: Suitable for 1 or 2 people with limited space for belongings. Average sizing is between 2-3 m in length, 1-1.5 m in width and 1-1.5 m in height.
• 4 Person Tent: Suitable for 2-3 people with a small area for belongings and to move around. Average sizing is between 2.4-3.5 m in length, 2-2.4 m in width and 1.2-1.9 m in height.
• 6 Person Tent: Suitable for 3-4 people with a small area for belongings and to move around. Average sizing is between 3-3.5 m in length, 2.5-3 m in width and 1.7-1.9 m in height.
• 8 Person Tent: Suitable for 4-6 people with a small area for belongings and to move around. Average sizing is between 4.2-4.7 m in length, 2.4-3 m in width and 1.8-2.1 m in height.
• 10 Person Tent: Suitable for 5-8 people with a small area for belongings and to move around. Average sizing is between 4.2- 6 m in length, 2.7-3.5 m in width and 1.9-2.1 m in height.

Type of Camping

The type of camping you’re likely to be doing with your tent is extremely important when considering what the best camping pop up tent is for you.

If you need to walk a long distance with your camping gear, like a secluded camping spot, or if you need a tent for overnight hiking excursions, then having a super small compact pop tent is essential.

While on the other hand, if you plan on staying put for a week or so, then you probably want a comfortable homely setup, in which case a large pop up camping tent may be a better fit. 

How often will you go camping? 

How often you go camping is also another vital factor to consider when deciding which is the best tent to purchase.

If you think you might go camping once a year with other experienced campers, then you can probably get away with the best cheap pop up tent that does the job but doesn’t have any extras that increase the price.

However, if you love camping and plan to go regularly, then it would be worth investing in one of the top rated pop up tents that will last for years.

Other Things to Consider:

• Height: Some tents are really low to the ground, and you’ll need to crouch while inside. Other tents have high ceilings which means you can stand up and get dressed.  Crouching down in a tent can be really frustrating, and I prefer to be able to stand up, so consider this if this will also be an issue for you.

• Poles: For maximum durability, look for a heavy duty pop up tent which has poles made from aluminium as they are stronger than fibreglass poles.

• Materials: For a durable pop up tent, look for tents with a higher denier fabric. Also ensure they have reinforced seams and high denier fabric on the floor to avoid moisture coming in.

• Windows and Doors: Some people prefer multiple doors; I think the one is fine unless you’re purchasing a tent for a large group of people.  What is more important is that there are plenty of windows with mesh panels to allow for good ventilation.

• Interior Loops and Storage: The best rated pop up tents have loops from the ceiling so you can attach a light as well as built inside pockets so you can store your valuables. 

Best Pop Up Tent Review Australia 2020

Hopefully after reading the above, you have a better understanding of what you need for your instant pop up camping tent to meet your needs.  Below I’ve provided a detailed review of the top 10 pop up tents currently available in Australia.

Coleman Pop Up Tent – Silver Series Instant Up Tent

I can’t recommend Coleman pop up tents enough.  We love them so much in fact that we have two!  We have Coleman Silver Series in a 4 man and the Coleman Gold Series in a 6 man (see below).  First up let’s talk about the Silver Series tents.

The Coleman Silver Series is a great quality durable and affordable pop up tent.  These tents come in either a 4 man (pictured above), 6 man or 8 man pop up tent, so are perfect for a young family or group of friends.  Like I said we have both the 4 and 6 man size which are ideal for our family of 3.  I wouldn’t try and get any more than 3 people in either tent though.

These tents go up in literally under 2 minutes. Plus they are just as quick to pack away as well.  Everything (except the rainfly) is integrated, so you only need to pull it out of the bag, open it up and then pull it into position.  To be honest, the longest part is knocking in the pegs and putting on the fly.

The Silver Series features the Coleman WeatherTec System which basically means these tents can withstand rigorous high wind conditions.  The tent is made from heavy duty fabric and features a bucket Polyethylene floor with inverted seams to keep water out.  The tent comes with a full size rainfly which has fully taped seams with a large front awning and attaches easily to the body with the velcro frame attachments.

The tent offers plenty of ventilation, with its multiple large windows which feature roll up flaps.  Other features include internal cord management for lantern hanging and a small front awning.

We are super happy with our Coleman Silver Series instant up tent and highly recommend it to others.

Click here for more information and to check current prices.

Coleman Pop Up Tent – Gold Series Tent

So after we got the Silver Series Coleman Tent, we were given the Gold Series tent in the 6 man size and love that just as much (see our video here showing you around our tent).  The Coleman Gold Series Tents comes in either 4 man, 6 man, 8 man or 10 man tent (pictured above)– so you get the extra 10 man size with this series of tent – perfect if you’re after the best large pop up tent.

While both tents are very similar, the main difference is the Gold Series tent is made from a more heavy duty fabric and has double the waterproof rating.  Despite being a more heavy duty fabric, the tent is denser and softer, and the flooring is nicer to walk on.  The softer fabric also makes it lighter and easier to put away.

Other differences between the tents include the Gold Series having additional side floor ventilation, a finer mesh on the windows, more storage and an extra removable awning.

Other than that, the Gold Series includes all the same great features of the Silver.  The tent is super quick to erect and pack away, has a great height of almost 2 metres, reflective guy lines for greater visibility at night, storage flaps inside to store your belongings and welded floors and inverted seams to help keep water out.

Whether you choose the Coleman Silver or Gold Series, you really can’t go wrong.  I’m probably a little more partial to the Gold due to the softer fabric, which is much easier to pack away and lighter.  The Gold Series is a little more expensive than the Silver Series, but if you can afford it, I’d say it’s worth the additional cash.

Click here for more information and to check current prices. 

Oztrail Pop Up Tent – Fast Frame Cruiser Tents

If you’re looking for an alternative to Coleman tents, Oztrail also makes a great range of different pop up tents.  The Oztrail Fast Frame Cruiser series of tents come in a 4, 6 (pictured above), 8 or 10 man pop up tent and are very similar to the Coleman Silver Series tents (comparable price too).

Like the previous Coleman tents, the Oztrail Fast Frame Cruiser tents are really easy to set up.  Simply peg out the four corners, extent the poles and up goes the tent.  You’ll then just need to put on the rainfly and peg it all down – it’s that easy.

Both the inner tent and rainfly are made from a durable 150 denier ripstop polyester fabric which also has built in sun protection.  The sun protection coating not only protects the tent from the harsh sun rays but also acts as your waterproof barrier.  The factory heat taped seams also ensure no moisture gets inside the tent as does the heavy duty bucket style floor with elevated seams.

The Fast Frame Cruiser series of tents features a heavy gauge 16/20mm steel frame pole system which also has non corrosive plastic hubs.  Some features of these tents include the large front door, plenty of windows for good ventilation, great size front awning, internal storage pockets, lantern loop, power cord access flap with built in Velcro power cord holders.

One thing I do particularly like about this Oztrail pop up tent is that you can purchase walls to put on the front of the awning, this is great for poor weather or if you simply want to add another room down the track to your tent.  These tents are also 5 cm taller than the previous Coleman tents, so you get a little extra standing space.

Oztrail also has a Fast Frame Tourer series, which is very similar to this range however features a more heavy duty tent floor.  This does add some weight to the tents and of course, price too.  If you’re particularly concerned about water getting into the tent, then you may want to consider a tent from the Tourer series; otherwise I think for the money the Cruiser tent series is perfect.

Click here for more information and check current pricing.

Oztrail Fast Frame Roamer Tents

If you’re looking for the absolute best quality pop tent money can buy, then can I suggest you consider the Oztrail Fast Frame Roamer tent series.  These tents are like the Royal Royce in pop up tents, offering additional floor space, extra height and an overall lighter tent – but of course quite a lot more money then all the other tents reviewed in this guide.

Like the previous Oztrail Fast Frame Cruiser series, the Roamer tents are super easy to erect.  This high quality pop up tent is made from a 150 denier ripstop polyester which has s sun protection coating.  The factory heat taped seams also ensure no moisture gets inside the tent as does the heavy duty bucket style floor with elevated seams.

My favourite thing about the Roamer tents is the awnings which are integrated with the main body of the tent.  The awnings are a great size and can be enclosed to provide additional protection from the elements or even for another room.  You don’t need to purchase additional walls as you do for other tents as this is all included with the rainfly.

The Fast Frame Roamer series of tents features a heavy gauge 16/20mm steel frame pole system which also has non corrosive plastic hubs.  Other great features of these good pop up tents include built in storage pockets, loft storage organiser, power cord access and a light attachment point.

For campers after the best quality tent and want a built in awning without the need to cart along a gazebo, the Oztrail Fast Frame Roamer tents are well worth considering.  They certainly are the most expensive tents in this guide, but in the long run, you’ll save time and space with your camp set up.

The Fast Frame Roamer series comes in a 5 (pictured above), 8 and 10 man tent option.

Click here to find out more and to check the price.

ZOMAKE Camping Tent

From family size pop up tents to a small easy up tent, if you’re just after a small one man pop up tent or 2 person instant tent, then the Zomake is a good one to consider.  This is all in one tent, literally goes up in 30 seconds so you’ll have more time to enjoy your camping trip.

The Zomake tent is made from a durable polyester fabric with a heavy duty 210 denier oxford fabric flooring to ensure no moisture seeps in.  The pole system is made from fibreglass, and the tent has large windows and doors with an anti mosquito net to provide great ventilation.

One thing I really like about this tent is how you can detach the rainfly.  The rainfly makes the perfect sun shelter for down at the beach or park, so no need to pack and extra shelter with you.  The tent also features a light attachment and built in storage pockets too.

Whether you’re after a small tent for yourself or even for older children who want their own privacy on the family camping trips, this small tent from Zomake is a good option to consider.  The Zomake tent is a good option if you’re after the best small pop up tent.

Click here to find out more and to check the price. 

Am Ayamaya Pop Tent

If you think two minutes is too long to put up your tent, then how about the Am Ayamaya tent which goes up instantly?  This 4 berth pop up tent is reasonably roomy and packs down super compactly so takes up next to no space in the back of the car.

As I said, this tent goes up in literally seconds!  And with basically no effort on your part either.  All you have to do is find your perfect location, pull the tent out of the carry bag, and it will pop right up. There is no additional rainfly for you to put up, all you need to do is secure it down, and you will be ready to relax with friends and family.

The Am Ayamaya tent is made of high quality 4000MM Waterproof PU-Coated Oxford groundsheet, and the body of the tent is a 3000MM Waterproof PU-Coated Polyester. The automatic pop up tent also has a waterproof treatment and taped seams to stop unwanted water from finding its way in.

What I like about this tent, is that despite its small size it still has a small vestibule which can be used for storing stuff or even for children have their own little play area.  Other features of this automatic pop up camping tent include sturdy zippers, fibreglass frame, hang loop for lantern or even your car keys and multiple doors and windows for great access and ventilation.

While for the price, I’d still prefer a Coleman or Oztrail tent, there is no doubt how convenient this Am Ayamaya pop tent is.  Easy to put up, lightweight at just under 5kg and taking next to no space in the car, this pop up tent certainly deserves its place in these reviews.

Click here to find out more and to check the price. 

Caribee Instant Pop Up Tent

Another tent to consider for anyone after a small size tent is the Caribee Instant Pop Up Tent.  This is quite similar to the previous Am Ayamaya pop up tent however much smaller given it’s a 3 person pop up tent.  At just 3.9kg its super lightweight and coming in its own carry bag with shoulder straps, this is perfect if you’re after a hiking or backpacking pop up tent.

Like the Am Ayamaya tent, this is one of those instant up tents for camping.  Take it out of the bag, and this all in one tent quite literally puts its self-up.  All you need to do is to secure it down.  This makes it perfect for somewhere to sleep after a long day of travel or an additional tent for older kids.

The tent is made from a PU coated 2000mm double layer polyester and has a heavy duty PE floor.  The tent features fully taped seams to ensure moisture doesn’t seep inside and has a fibreglass pole system. Other features include multiple mesh vents and a small vestibule which is great for storage.

If you’re after a super compact tent that goes up in seconds, definitely check out the Caribbee tent.  This is an excellent choice if you want the best 3 man pop up tent.

Click here to find out more and to check the price.

Explore Planet Earth Speedy Tent

The Speedy Tent series from Explore Planet Earth is another tent like the previous Caribbee and Am Ayamaya that erects itself in seconds.  Coming in either a 2 or 3 berth pop up tent, the Speedy tent is small and super lightweight, so it is perfect for anyone after a compact tent to throw in the back of the car.

The Speedy series of tents are an all in one tent, which pretty much puts itself up as soon as you take it out of the bag.  You’ll just need to peg it down to prevent it from flying away.  The easy up camping tent is dually layered made from a durable 68 denier polyester fabric with fully taped seams to prevent moisture getting inside.

Comparing the 3 person pop tent with the previous Caribbe tent, the Speedy is much more spacious and even lighter at just 3.5kg.  It does however only have a height of 105cm, which is the shortest tent out of all the tents in this review.  Don’t expect a lot of headspace in the Speedy tent.

Unlike the other smaller tents in this review, the Speedy tent comes with an aluminium pole system, whereas all the others have fibreglass poles.  This means the Speedy is a much durable tent and will probably last a lot longer.

One thing I just love about the Speedy series of tents is the build in LED lights in the ceiling – you just need to charge them up with a USB charger.  Other great features of the Speedy tents are the side windows for ventilation, reflective guide ropes and a built in accessory pocket.

The Speedy Series of tents is one of the more expensive small sized tents in these reviews.  However if you’re after good quality pop up tents, this is certainly one to consider.

Click here to find out more and to check the price.

Malamoo Cicara Pop Up Tent

Another great little pop up tent series is the Malamoo Cicara.  Like the previous small tents, these little pop up tents go up in seconds, making them the perfect option for the last minute getaway, an extra tent for older kids or even to be used as a shelter for a day at the beach.  Plus they come in either a 2, 3 (pictured above) or 4 man tent.

Like all the other small pop up tents, the Malamoo Cicara series of tents is an all in one tent which pretty much puts itself up as soon as you take it out of the bag.  Once it’s up, all you need to do is to peg it down.

This fast pop up tent is dually layered made from a durable 68 denier polyester fabric with fully taped seams to prevent moisture getting inside.  It also has a polyoxford floor and fibreglass poles.  Other features of the Malamoo Cicara series of tents include a small vestibule area and awning, multiple ventilation points, interior storage pockets, and light attachment points.

Comparing the 3 person tent with the previous Caribbe or Speedy 3 person tents, the Malamoo Cicara is much more spacious.  However do keep in mind its almost double the weight of either the Caribbe or Speedy.  The extra weight of the Malamoo Cicara tents is due to the larger size as well as having the addition of a front awning.

For people looking for a small and quick tent, the Malamoo Cicara tents are well worth considering.  Personally for me, if you’re considering a 4 man tent, I’d still opt for a Coleman or Oztrail tent, which surprisingly to me are cheaper.

Click here to find out more and to check the price.

Outdoor Connection Easy Up Tent

Last but not least, in our reviews of the best quick pop camping tents currently on the Australian market is the Outdoor Connection Easy Up Series of tents.  Coming in a 2, 3 or 4 man tents, these are another excellent option to consider for anyone after a tent that goes up in an instant.

If you don’t want to spend time putting up your tent, you’ll love how you literally take this tent out of its bag, and it pops up.  Just peg it down into place and start enjoying your camping trip.  They’re also easy to pack away too.

The Outdoor Connection series of tents feature a dual layer of fabric, which has tape sealed seams and a heavy duty floor to ensure water does not get inside the tent.  The tents also have a UV coating for added protection against the harsh sun to ensure the tent lasts longer.  The poles are made from fibreglass.

Other features of these tents include large doors, windows and ventilation points for maximum air circulation and a small vestibule area.

The Outdoor Connection Easy Up Tent s are super compact, lightweight and perfect for those wanting a quick camp set up.

Click here to find out more and to check the price.

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And there you have it our ultimate guide to the best pop up tents in Australia.  Honestly, once you have a pop up tent, you’ll never go back! We have plenty of other guides to help you get started too including how to choose an air mattress, how to choose a swag, how to choose a car awning, and we even have the ultimate camping checklist here.

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