Best 8 Person Tents For Australia In 2024
If you're looking for an 8-person tent that you can rely on, the Coleman Instant Up presents as an excellent option. I personally have a smaller model, and I love everything about it.
For one, it has almost vertical walls and a 1.9-metre high ceiling, which means that most people can stand up inside with plenty of space. There are impressively sized mesh windows and doors for ventilation, and the heavy fabric does a great job of blocking out light in the morning.
I also like the instant-up design, which lets you put this tent up in as little as two minutes. The main downside is that it weighs almost 20kg, which means that it can be a little difficult to move around.
Overall, though, the Coleman Instant Up clearly stands out as the best 8-person family camping tent that I've seen. I'd seriously recommend considering it.
A larger 8 person tent could be just the thing if you're planning on going camping with family or friends. The right model will provide excellent rain protection, come with multiple doors, and have plenty of storage space for your extra gear.
However, it's not always that easy to select the right 8-person tent. With the wrong model, you may find that it's super difficult to set up, doesn't stand up to rough weather, and doesn't have adequate space or ventilation.
To help you choose the right option, I've reviewed eight of the best 8-person tents available on the Australian market today.
My Review Process
I love camping, and I hate using poorly designed tents. Trust me, there's nothing worse than having to spend an hour trying to set your tent up in the rain or waking up in the middle of the night to water dripping on your face.
To help you avoid problems like these, I've spent hours reviewing a wide range of 8-person tents. The top models are durable, easy to set up, have plenty of space, and are designed to stand up to Australia's tough climate.
The following eight options excel in one or more of these areas, and I'm sure you will find a tent for your next camping trip on this list.
If you're looking for an 8-person tent that you can rely on, the Coleman Instant Up presents as an excellent option. I personally have a smaller model, and I love everything about it.
For one, it has almost vertical walls and a 1.9-metre high ceiling, which means that most people can stand up inside with plenty of space. There are impressively sized mesh windows and doors for ventilation, and the heavy fabric does a great job of blocking out light in the morning.
I also like the instant-up design, which lets you put this tent up in as little as two minutes. The main downside is that it weighs almost 20kg, which means that it can be a little difficult to move around.
Overall, though, the Coleman Instant Up clearly stands out as the best 8-person family camping tent that I've seen. I'd seriously recommend considering it.
If you're running on a tight budget - like I often am - then I can't recommend the Coleman Montana enough. It's a little more difficult to set up than the Instant Up, but it comes in at a much more affordable price.
On top of this, the Coleman Montana offers excellent rain protection due to the built-in awnings and clever window design. The hinged doors are super easy to open and close, and there are loads of internal storage pockets to keep your gear.
I also like the fact that the Coleman Montana comes with a power cord port, which makes it easy to run lights and charge your phones.
The Vango Odyssey is a slightly more expensive option, but I really like it. It comes with a fully sewn-in groundsheet and a 70 denier fire retardant flysheet, and all seams are fully taped. This gives it excellent waterproofing and durability qualities, and it's suitable for use in most weather conditions.
What's more, the Vango Odyssey is super easy to set up. Just clip the poles on, secure it with a few tent pegs, and you will have your camp ready to go in no time.
There's also plenty of internal space, with two separate rooms and plenty of comfortable living space. The main downside is that it has poor light blocking qualities, which can make it difficult to sleep in on summer mornings.
Apart from this, though, I have nothing negative to say about this amazing tent.
This Weisshorn 8-person camping tent is basic yet still very attractive. It doesn't come with the bells and whistles that some of the more expensive options on this list do, but it's a tidy option for people on a tight budget.
One thing I really like about this awesome tent is its instant tent construction. It's designed to be put up in just two minutes, which is as fast as it gets with tents this big.
On top of this, it boasts excellent ventilation, and it's built with tough materials. There's even a one-year warranty covering factory defects and other manufacturing issues. It's one of the heaviest tents I've seen, but this is the only downside I can come up with.
If you're looking for a high-end canvas tent, this model by Teton Sports has you covered. The Mesa is the perfect tent for long-term camping. Its heavy-duty design, durable canvas materials, and tough steel poles mean that it's perfect for Australian conditions.
What's more, this tent includes an array of internal storage options, including two ceiling gear lofts and four wall pockets. The heavy-duty construction means that it's suitable for all weather, and it should make your next family camping trip enjoyable - regardless of the conditions!
The Coleman Octagon 8 is quite a unique tent. As the name suggests, it has an octagonal design that enables excellent airflow via the mesh walls. Six of the eight windows can be opened, allowing virtual 360-degree views in good weather.
You can even remove the flysheet and sleep under the stars if you want to.
I also like the high ceilings and lightweight materials. The downside of these is that this tent doesn't perform great in extreme weather, although it's still an attractive three-season option. The fully-taped seams provide a high degree of rain protection and the sewn-in groundsheet is designed to reduce leaks and stop bugs from getting in.
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Want something a little more fancy? Looking for a family tent with all the bells and whistles? If so, this innovative hexagon tent by Outdoor Products is worth a look.
For starters, it boasts an instant-up design that enables a fast, stress-free setup. The built-in LED lights are one of the coolest tent features I've seen, and they let you light up your living space with the click of a button.
What's more, there are two ground vents and loads of no-see-um mesh screens for extra ventilation. The main downside of this tent is that there are limited internal storage options, although there is plenty of space for bags and other camping gear.
This instant frame tent is one of the more expensive options on this list, but it's worth every cent if you can afford it.
If you're looking for an affordable all-season tent, you can camp in style with this model from CAMPROS. It features loads of internal space, a tidy two-room setup, and loads of mesh windows for extra ventilation.
This high-quality tent is also one of the most lightweight models on my list. At well under 10kg, it's light enough for hiking or backpacking with a large group. It's not my favourite 8-person tent, but it's certainly an option worth considering.
How To Choose The Best 8 Person Tent
In my experience, there are a few crucial decision-making factors that you need to consider when buying a new 8-person tent.
Price
Before you even begin looking at the options on the market, I'd suggest setting a clear budget that you can afford to spend. Some budget tents cost no more than a few hundred dollars, while some of the more expensive tents can cost upwards of a few thousand dollars.
Tent Type
It's also important to be aware of the different models of family tents that are on the market. The most common types of larger tents you will come across include the following.
Cabin Tents
The most common type of 8-person tent is the cabin tent, which generally features near-vertical walls and high ceilings. Most larger cabin tents have at least two rooms, and they are known for their decent size and generous living space.
Inflatable Tents
Inflatable or air tents are becoming increasingly popular. They are a little expensive compared to more traditional types, but they usually have a poleless design and can be set up in just minutes. Due to their high price point, they also tend to be made with high-quality materials.
Dome Tents
Although it's not all that common to see 8-person dome tents, they do exist. These usually have a single room and a very simple design.
Pop-up Tents
Last, but certainly not least, is pop-up tents. These are widespread among modern tent models, and they feature very fast setup and simple pack down. Pop-up tents can come in cabin, dome, or any of various other forms.
Ease Of Setup
8-person tents are quite large, and some models can be particularly difficult to set up. If you're going to be putting your tent up on your own or in a rush, I'd suggest going for a pop-up option that's designed for fast, straightforward setup.
Durability
As I'm sure you know, Australia's weather conditions are tough. So tough, in fact, that they will destroy poor-quality imported tents in next to no time.
Because of this, it's important to go for a durable family tent that's well designed. Look for tough steel poles, canvas or other durable tent material, and a strong rating from other users.
Weather Protection
Australia's weather conditions are among the most variable and unpredictable in the world. To ensure you're protected at all times, I'd suggest getting a tent that's suitable for cold weather, hot weather, and whatever other freak weather patterns could pop up while you're on the road.
Size & Weight
Last, but certainly not least, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on the size and weight of the tents that you're considering.
For starters, you need to think about the size when it's set up. Is it large enough for you and your gear? Is there only just enough room to sleep eight people, or is there extra living space as well?
Similarly, pay attention to the size and weight of your tent when it's packed up. If you want to take it backpacking, hiking, or travelling anywhere else that size could be a constraint, you will need a lightweight option.
Summary
The best all-around 8 person tent is the Coleman Instant Up, a popular model that’s designed for Australian conditions. The Coleman Montana is a clear leader when it comes to budget-friendly options, and the other six models on this list are all worth considering.
Spend a little time researching the right model, and look forward to a fun, hassle-free camping adventure with your friends and family!
Common questions
Living in the Australian outdoors from a self-converted campervan, Daniel has over a decade of experience in the field that he shares in his writing at CampingAussie. When not travelling, you can find Daniel near the ocean - either fishing, diving or surfing.
*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.
