Camping Tents
Camping Tents for Every NZ Adventure
Whether you're setting up at a DOC campsite, heading into the backcountry, or camping with the family over summer — having the right tent makes all the difference. We've been designing and testing tents for New Zealand conditions since 1979, and our range reflects what actually works out there.
Find the Right Tent for Your Trip
Our collection covers every style of camping:
- Inflatable air tents — our most popular range and the fastest-pitching tents we sell. No poles, no fuss — just pump and go. Spacious, stable in wind, and perfect for families, solo campers, or anyone who's had enough of wrestling with pole sleeves.
- Hiking tents — lightweight and packable for tramping and multi-day trips. Designed to handle wind and rain in exposed conditions.
- Dome tents — versatile and easy to set up. Great for weekend camping trips and holiday parks at a solid price point.
- Shelters & gazebos — extra covered space for cooking, socialising, or shade on hot days.
Choosing the Right Size
Consider how many people you're camping with and how much gear space you need. A 4-person tent works well for a couple who wants room to move, while larger families should look at our 6-person and 8-person options. For tramping, a 2-person hiking tent keeps weight down without sacrificing shelter.
Built for New Zealand Weather
NZ weather is unpredictable — sun, wind, and rain can all hit in the same afternoon. Every tent in our range is tested against real conditions: waterproof ratings, ventilation for condensation control, and UV-resistant fabrics. Our inflatable and dome tents are backed by a 2-year guarantee.
Need help choosing? Get in touch — our team has decades of camping experience and we're happy to help you find the right tent.
Need help choosing a tent? Read our Complete Camping Tent Guide for NZ — covering all tent types, key specs, NZ conditions advice, and honest picks for trampers, families, and alpine use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of tent is best for NZ conditions?
New Zealand weather is notoriously unpredictable — you can get four seasons in one day, especially in the South Island. A three-season tent with a full-coverage rainfly, taped seams, and a hydrostatic head rating of at least 1500mm is the minimum we'd recommend. For family camping and easy setups, inflatable air tents are an excellent choice — they're robust, quick to pitch, and handle NZ conditions extremely well. Our full range of tents is curated with NZ conditions in mind.
Do I need a 4-season tent for NZ tramping?
For most Great Walks and popular backcountry routes, a quality three-season tent is sufficient. True four-season tents are designed for snow loading and sustained alpine conditions — useful for winter mountaineering, but overkill for a summer Routeburn trip. A well-built three-season tent with strong pole construction and a high rainfly rating will handle the majority of NZ tramping scenarios comfortably.
What's the best tent for Great Walks NZ?
Great Walks campsites are well-maintained with flat tent pads, so weight and packability matter more than bombproof weather resistance. An ultralight two-person tent in the 1–1.8 kg range is ideal — something like the Dwights Explore V2 (from $699) hits that mark with its carbon-composite poles and 20D ripstop nylon. Keep your packed weight under 15 kg total and you'll thank yourself on day three. See our tent buying guide for a detailed Great Walks breakdown.
How do I set up a tent on a DOC campsite platform?
Most DOC platforms are wooden or gravel-based, so standard steel pegs won't always work. Bring a mix of peg types — sand/snow pegs or Y-beam pegs grip better on gravel — or use guy ropes tied to platform rails where permitted. Freestanding tents are strongly preferred on platforms since you're not relying on ground anchors for structure. Double-check DOC's campsite-specific rules before your trip, as some platforms prohibit certain anchor methods.
What makes inflatable tents different from pole tents?
Inflatable air tents use air-filled tubes instead of rigid poles, which means no fiddly pole assembly — you pitch them with a pump in minutes. They're surprisingly robust; the tubes flex under load rather than snap, and a puncture in one tube doesn't collapse the whole tent. They tend to be slightly heavier than ultralight pole tents, making them a brilliant choice for car camping and family trips where ease of setup matters more than grams.
What size tent do I need for a family?
As a rule of thumb, go one person-rating above your actual group size — a "four-person" tent comfortably sleeps three adults with gear. For a family of four, look at five- or six-person tents with a porch or vestibule for storing muddy boots and wet rain jackets. The Dwights Adventure range ($199–$349) offers spacious family options without blowing the budget. Consider internal peak height too — being able to stand upright makes a wet weather day significantly more bearable.
How do I care for a tent to make it last?
Always dry your tent fully before packing it away — storing it damp is the fastest way to degrade the waterproof coatings and encourage mould. Pitch it loosely in a cool, dry spot at home rather than leaving it compressed in its stuff sack long-term. Re-apply seam sealer and DWR (durable water repellent) treatment every couple of seasons, or when you notice water soaking in rather than beading off. Avoid pitching under trees with sap, and UV exposure degrades fabrics over time, so don't leave your tent pitched in full sun longer than needed.
What should I look for in a tramping tent?
Prioritise weight, weather protection, and vestibule space — in that order for most NZ tramping. Look for a hydrostatic head rating of 1500mm or higher on the fly and floor, sealed seams, and poles rated for high wind. A single large vestibule beats two small ones for kiwi conditions where you're often cooking and sheltering simultaneously. Double-wall construction (inner tent + separate fly) dramatically reduces condensation compared to single-skin designs, keeping you drier on multi-day trips.