The Best 8 Person Tents in Australia for 2023

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8 person tents hit the sweet spot for families or groups ranging from 3-5 people.

They’re not so big and awkward that they are impossible to set up and transport, but they still provide enough indoor storage and living space to make your camping trip enjoyable.

There are a lot of tents manufactured with 8 person capacity so we had some excellent options to choose from when compiling this list.

Below is what we consider to be the best 8 person tents currently available in Australia.

Our top pick: Outdoor Connection Bedarra 2R Dome Tent

Pros: Spacious, lots of headroom, well ventilated, excellent in most weather
Cons: One room has mesh walls so may be colder if used as a bedroom, no separate awning panel (doors double up as awning)

The Bedarra 2 Room Dome Tent is ideal for families or couples looking for a spacious living area while camping. The tent is made of a durable polyester material and has two rooms, creating plenty of space for up to four or five people.

One of the things that make the Bedarra stand out is the 210cm headroom. The almost vertical walls mean adults can stand anywhere in this family tent without needing to crouch.

This is a welcome contrast to many tents where the headroom refers only to the high point in the middle of the tent that is surrounded by sloping walls.

Another great feature is the ventilation, the tent has lots of large mesh windows that let natural light in and help keep air circulating throughout the tent. The bedroom also has Ventraflow panels and the tent has 4 doors, all with mesh and privacy screens.

One of the rooms has a mesh wall, so we wouldn’t recommend using it as a bedroom during the winter. For a couple, the backroom makes a spacious bedroom that can fit a queen-sized mattress and the second room is a great storage/living area.

The Bedarra is well suited to use in Australia. It is protected against UV damage and has a 3000mm waterproof rating so users don’t need to worry about the rain when camping. This dome-style tent can also handle moderately windy conditions well.

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Best value: Coleman Northstar Instant Up 8 Lighted DarkRoom Tent

Pros: Fast and easy to set up, durable materials, darkroom technology, integrated lighting, reasonably priced
Cons: Central divider not removable

The Coleman Northstar is the perfect tent for any family that loves camping holidays and spending time outdoors.

It comes with DarkRoom technology that filters out up to 95% of sunlight, reducing the temperature inside the tent to keep you cooler during the day and warmer at night.

The Instant Up frame design allows for fast, stress-free setup and the integrated LED lights and Battery Pack will make it easy for you to set up your tent without mucking around with torches or lanterns.

The tent also has plenty of ventilation thanks to lots of vents located at different heights.

The heavy-duty PE bucket flooring will keep out any ground moisture while a durable and waterproof Ripstop fly will ensure that your tent stays dry during any type of weather.

RELATED: The Best 10 Person Tents

Also great: Wanderer Extreme Heavy Duty Touring Tent

Pros: Instant frame for quick set up, heavy-duty materials
Cons: Instant hub can cause problems

This is a great choice if you’re looking for a tent that is easy to set up and pack away but can also stand up to wind and rain.

It’s designed with 210D rip-stop polyester fly with silver coating and 5000mm waterproof rating to make sure that the inside of your tent stays dry even when it’s pouring outside.

The UPF 50+ sun protection will keep you safe from harmful rays as well.

The inner tent is heavy-duty 230gsm ripstop poly cotton canvas, which means it’s strong enough to withstand all kinds of wear and tear and last you for years of camping to come.

But perhaps the thing part about this tent is the instant frame makes set up and take down a breeze, so you can spend more time exploring nature instead or relaxing at the beach.

The downsides? The instant hub design can break in high winds or if misused, and it can be difficult to repair on your own.

Upgrade pick: Black Wolf Turbo Plus 300 Tent

Pros: High quality materials, solid construction, easy set up, spacious, very waterproof
Cons: Expensive

In terms of striking the perfect balance between ease of use, features, durability, and weatherproofing, the Black Wolf Turbo Plus is second to none.

The materials and construction are premium and it really is evident how much thought has gone into ensuring this tent provides the best user experience possible.

It is extremely spacious, super easy to set up and take down, and solid as a rock.

What’s changed from the previous version of the Turbo Plus 300?

The biggest change is that Black Wolf has added some new construction and re-enforcing where the floor meets the tent wall seam, where the fly sits on the frame, and where zips and side panels attach to the fly.

These upgrades add extra waterproofing and durability and in some cases allow for additional tape sealing.

They’ve also added extra storm flaps and are using better materials on the floor—a 600D siliconized polyester PU instead of PVC—so it’s stronger, more waterproof, and more durable than before.

On the downside, this is one of the more expensive tents in our review.

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Budget option: Coleman Instant Up Silver 8P

Pros: Quick set-up, great value for money
Cons: Potential for rain to pool on the awning

If you are in the market for a reliable and great-value family tent, this Coleman tent should be one of your top contenders.

It goes up in a couple of minutes and is packed with features where it matters.

The Instant Up Silver includes a fully seam-sealed waterproof fly, patented welded floors and inverted seams, and a waterproof rating of 1500mm.

It boasts a spacious interior that could comfortably fit 2 adults and 2 or 3 kids.

There is an issue with the awnings pooling water that means they should not be left up in heavy rain, but other than that we have struggled to find any faults.

If you think you need something slightly more heavy-duty, we recommend looking at the Coleman’s Instant Up Gold range.

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FAQ

How big is an 8 person tent?

An 8-person tent is a good size for 3-5 people. The internal sleeping area will measure approximately 4m x 3m and there will be space for adults to stand upright inside.

What size tent do I need for 8 people?

Remember that the tent rating is its max capacity and not the number of people who can fit comfortably. For a group of 8, we would recommend looking at 10-12 person tents such as the Oztrail Lumos 12 Person Fast Frame Tent.

What is the easiest family tent to put up?

If easy setup is your main priority, we recommend Coleman’s range of instant-up tents, such as the Coleman Northstar Instant Up 8 Person Tent. These tents utilise a unique hub design so there are no individual poles to worry about.

How much does a Coleman 8 person tent weigh?

Coleman’s instant up hub does make them slightly heavier than traditional dome tents. The Instant Up Silver weighs 22kg while the Northstar Instant Up weighs 30kg.

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Outback Review

We founded Outback Review in 2017 to share our passion for all things related to camping in Australia. We’re committed to providing you with the best information on everything from where to go and what to see, to what gear you’ll need for your trip. We’re here to help you get the most out of your time in Australia’s great outdoors.