For many Australians camping isn’t just a pastime – rather, it’s a way of life. Regular campers know that having the right gear makes all the difference.
There are few things more convenient than a rooftop tent. An automatic rooftop tent can make the notoriously difficult and labour intensive process of setting up a tent a thing of the past. Many can be set up in a matter of minutes and offer mattresses, flat sleeping areas and attached ladders for ultimate comfort.
You can find a roof top tent hard shell, a roof top tent with annex, soft shell tents, inflatable… the list goes on. They’re an excellent option for tough weather conditions, so easy to use and possibly the best purchase you can make.
There’s a lot to consider before you rush into buying the best rooftop tents Australia offers.
Click here to see the best rooftop tent in Australia now!
For example, you need the right tent for the right car. You need to know your budget. And if you’re looking for a family roof top tent, your options may be more limited. But there are options out there.
Keep reading because you will find everything you need to know to pick the best rooftop tents Australia offers for you below including a comparison chart of all the best roof top tent camping options, a full guide to the main features to consider when looking for the best roof top tent 2022 has and, finally, individual reviews of each of the compact roof top tent options.
This will help you whether you are looking for the best hard shell roof top tent Australia or the best pop up roof top tent or something else entirely.
Contents
- 1 Our Pick For The Best Roof Top Tent Australia 2022
- 2 Compare The Top 10 Best Rooftop Tents Australia 2022
- 3 Top 10 Best Roof Top Tents Australia 2022
- 4 How To Choose The Best Rooftop Tent 2022
- 5 Best Roof Top Tent Brands Reviews Australia 2022
- 6 Best Hard Shell Roof Top Tents Australia 2022
- 7 Best 4 Person Roof Top Tent
- 8 Best 4×4 Roof Top Tent
- 9 Best Automatic Roof Top Tent Australia
Our Pick For The Best Roof Top Tent Australia 2022
Just want to buy the best rooftop tent Australia offers right now? Great! This is our top pick.
Darche Panorama 1400 Roof Top Tent
Darche constructs some top quality roof top tents specifically designed for Australian conditions, and the Panorama 1400 roof top tent is not only a high quality option, but functional and easy to use. It’s easy to set up, offers excellent weather protection and opens right up for ventilation. It may be heavy, but it’s a durable option that’s built to last.
Click here for the latest prices and more information.
Compare The Top 10 Best Rooftop Tents Australia 2022
Here is a roof top tent comparison chart so you can select the best car roof top tent for your situation. Use this table to compare the features of the best roof top tent for sale in Australia.
If you want more information on a product or the current roof top tent price, click on the product name.
| Name | Image | Type | Capacity | Seasonality | Weight | Waterproof? | Mattress Thickness | Price | Features | Rating |
| Darche Intrepidor 1400 Rooftop Tent Sky Window |  | Folding | 2-person | All Season | 52kg | Yes | 65mm | Click | All-over awnings, weatherproof | 4.0 |
| SkyRise HD Rooftop Tent |  | Folding | 3-person | All Season | 52kg | Yes | 64mm | Click | Tool-free setup, large windows | 4.0 |
| Front Runner Roof Top Tent |  | Folding | 2-person | All Season | 43kg | Yes | 64mm | Click | Low-profile, lightweight | 4.5 |
| Darche Kozi Series 1300 Roof Top Tent | Folding | 2-person | All Season | 48kg | Yes | 65mm | Click | Pre-mounted channels, lightweight | 4.0 | |
| MXX Jeep SUV Camping Roof Tent |  | Folding | 2-person | All Season | – | Yes | – | Click | Spaciousm, high weight limit | 4.0 |
| Dometic 4WD Rooftop Tent Manual Operation |  | Folding | 2-person | All Season | 50.6kg | Yes | 50mm | Click | Top weather protection, dual-layer fabric | 4.0 |
| Mason Taylor Outdoor Hard Shell Rooftop Tent |  | Hard Shell | 2 person | All Season | 63kg | Yes | 60mm | Click | Memory foam mattress, hard wearing | 4.0 |
| Darche Hi-View 2200 Roof Top Tent |  | Folding | 4-person | All Season | 87kg | Yes | 65mm | Click | Large capacity, dual entry points | 4.5 |
| Darche Panorama 1400 Roof Top Tent |  | Folding | 2-person | All Season | 63.6kg | Yes | 50mm | Click | Low-profile, easy setup | 4.5 |
| Dometic 4WD Rooftop Tent 12 Volt Operation |  | Folding | 2-person | All Season | 56kg | Yes | 50mm | Click | Remote controlled, dual-layer fabric | 4.5 |
Top 10 Best Roof Top Tents Australia 2022
Find our handy list of best car top tent options– see our full roof top camper reviews further below.
- Darche Intrepidor 1400 Rooftop Tent Sky Window, 2-person
- SkyRise HD Rooftop Tent, 3-person
- Front Runner Roof Top Tent, 2-person
- Darche Kozi Series 1300 Roof Top Tent, 2-person
- MXX Jeep SUV Camping Roof Tent, 2-person
- Dometic 4WD Rooftop Tent Manual Operation, 2-person
- Mason Taylor Outdoor Hard Shell Rooftop Tent, 2 person
- Darche Hi-View 2200 Roof Top Tent, 4-person
- Darche Panorama 1400 Roof Top Tent, 2-person
- Dometic 4WD Rooftop Tent 12 Volt Operation, 2-person
How To Choose The Best Rooftop Tent 2022
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to selecting a rooftop tent and, although we’ve listed the best roof top tents 2022 offers below, it’s essential to know what you’re looking for.
Not all of the options below will suit all campers. There are many factors to consider – capacity/storage requirements, vehicle specifications, included gear, camping preferences and more. Not to mention budget – a cheap roof top tent can be hard to come by and needs to suit your needs.
Use the guide below to help work out your requirements.
Type
A good place to start is by understanding the types of rooftop tents available and how they differ in their capacity, setup, durability and cost.
There are two main types of rooftop tents. This includes a hard top tent (or pop top roof tent), and soft top tents (or folding rooftop tents). You can also find inflatable rooftop tents and while we haven’t included these in our reviews, we’ve detailed what they are below.
Hard Shell Roof Top Tent
Hard shell roof top tents, also known as a roof top pop up tent, are the most durable option if you’re looking for year round weather protection.
Often constructed as an aluminium roof top tent among other firm materials, these tents are secured to the top of your vehicle and usually just pop up, making them among the easiest to set up, requiring a few latches to be opened.
The best hardshell rooftop tents Australia offers can be pricey, heavy and require a suitable vehicle or SUV to take their weight.
Folding Roof Top Tent
The folding roof top tent is the most popular option and the majority of the tents in our reviews are of this style. They are a fold out roof top tent that folds in half and opens up with one side hanging over the vehicle and are secured with a ladder, resulting in more floor space and a larger capacity. They’re a great option if you’re after a double roof top tent.
They are constructed using similar materials to traditional tents, and you can also find models that include an annex for additional privacy and space.
Folding roof top tents are more affordable with more space, but more setup is required (although not much and they still just take a couple of minutes to set up).
Inflatable Roof Top Tent
The most lightweight roof top tent is an inflatable roof top tent. These tents are suitable for a broad range of vehicles and make a great roof top tent for small car.
They are set using a pump and can offer lots of space. You can also find them with a zip on annex for additional space and privacy. They can also be one of the most pricey options and are not designed for extreme weather conditions.
Size And Capacity
Knowing your size and capacity requirements is important from the get go.
If you look for a hard shell roof top tent for sale you’ll see that they are always limited in the space they can offer as they sit on the surface of your vehicle. A hard lid roof top tent has limited space and is best suited for solo campers or couples.
If you need a 4 man roof top tent it’s best to look at folding options. They not only fold out for more floor space but the option of adding an annex means they can fit even more people if you’re looking for more than a 5 person roof top tent option. They’re also among the thinnest roof top tent options.
Seasonality
Roof top tents offer different levels of seasonality depending on their construction, just like traditional tents, and it’s worth considering this when selecting a specific tent.
A hard top rooftop tent may be the hardest wearing option for year round camping. Softshell options are more like a traditional tent and may not withstand extreme conditions, but of course this depends on how the individual tent is constructed.
Weight
Both hard shell and soft shell roof top tents can be heavy and you need to make sure your vehicle can withstand the weight of the individual tent. Some are only suitable as a 4×4 rooftop tent option however there are small roof top tent options out there.
As mentioned above, the lightest roof top tent is probably an inflatable roof top tent, however these are hard to come by and pricey, and we haven’t included any in our reviews below.
In short, you will need to check that the individual tent meets the weight specifications of the vehicle you want to sit it on.
Material
Roof top tents are constructed from a range of materials which can impact their water resistance, seasonality and weight as mentioned above.
More durable materials are found in hard shell options. Materials used in both hard and soft shell tents include plastic, PVC, aluminium among others. You can even find a canvas roof top tent just like a traditional tent.
Mattress Thickness
Comfort should be a top priority in your purchase and as most options do include a mattress, it’s important to have one that is comfortable for a sound sleep.
Mattress thickness starts around 50mm and can go up to 100mm+. Most options are made of standard foam and specialised high density foam, and in our opinion mattresses over 75mm+ generally offer the most comfortable sleep.
Other Great Features
There are other features you should consider when looking for a roof top tent to ensure you find the very best option for you. Consider some of the points below…
- Storage space – Some of the best hard top roof top tent options can be used as storage space when not in use which can be super handy on the road.
- Doors/windows – Roof top tents differ in the amount of windows/mesh screens they offer for ventilation, and it’s worth checking how many the individual tent offers especially in warmer conditions.
- Annex – An annex offers additional space and privacy when you need it, and it’s highly recommended you check whether the tent can have one attached (or has one included).
- Cover construction – Cover construction not only results in more durability and protection, but how much drag the roof top tent has on your vehicle.
Best Roof Top Tent Brands Reviews Australia 2022
Darche Intrepidor 1400 Rooftop Tent Sky Window Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Folding
- Capacity: 2-person
- Seasonality: All Season
- Weight: 52kg
- Waterproof: Yes
- Mattress Thickness: 65mm
The Darche Intrepidor 1400 is an excellent all season tent offering protection year round with plenty of flexibility for different conditions.
These tents are very durable. Included is the tent itself, the ladder and all the fittings you need to set it up. Weather protected awnings surround the windows of the tent which themselves can be zippered shut or used for ventilation thanks to zippered mesh screens. The awnings over the doors at each end can be set up from inside the tent to protect from wet weather.
The tent is constructed with a tough ripstop polycotton and includes a 65mm mattress with a removable and washable cover. One of the top features is the zippered sky window making this an open sky roof top tent for stargazing.
Also included is a rainfly with a good waterproof rating, interior side storage pockets and a PVC cover, all making the Darche roof top tent a great SUV roof top tent.
Benefits:
- Awnings over all doors and windows
- Zippered sky window
- Great in tough weather
Drawbacks:
- Zipper can be prone to catching on material
>> Click here for more details and the latest price.
SkyRise HD Rooftop Tent Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Folding
- Capacity: 3-person
- Seasonality: All Season
- Weight: 52kg
- Waterproof: Yes
- Mattress Thickness: 64mm
Another all season tent is the SkyRipse HD Rooftop tent with a 3000ml waterproof rated rainfly and all-round awnings.
The main drawpoint of this 3 person roof top tent is the tool-free attachment to your vehicle mount. This means quick and efficient setup without the need for a handyman.
The tent includes a large door, windows and sky roof with mesh screens for ventilation in warm weather and an auto close ladder for safety. The cover simply tucks away into the included velcro straps and the rainfly offers maximum weather protection (although there are models with more durable flys).
Three people can sleep comfortably and the tent offers more usable space than many roof top tents.
Benefits:
- Easy installation with tool-free attachment
- Tuck away cover
- Large windows and sky roof
Drawbacks:
- There are more durable tents available
>> Click here for more details and the latest price.
Front Runner Roof Top Tent Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: Folding
- Capacity: 2-person
- Seasonality: All Season
- Weight: 43kg
- Waterproof: Yes
- Mattress Thickness: 64mm
This rooftop tent by Front Runner offers its own pros and cons.
Where it excels is in its design. This is a low profile roof top tent which results in reduced drag while driving, thus saving petrol. It’s also a lightweight rooftop tent compared to other options on our list.
The interior offers sleeping space for a couple, with inside pockets, overhead velcro and decreased condensation thanks to good ventilation.
There are downsides however – it’s not the most durable rooftop tent we’ve seen, the mattress is quite firm and reminiscent of sleeping on the ground, and the ladder isn’t a telescopic design which limits its usability.
However if your priority is a lightweight low profile tent, the Front Runner roof top tent may be the right option.
Benefits:
- Super low profile thus reducing drag
- A light roof top tent
- Easy installation and setup
Drawbacks:
- Firm mattress
- Ladder has limited space settings
>> Click here for more details and the latest price.
Darche Kozi Series 1300 Roof Top Tent Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Folding
- Capacity: 2-person
- Seasonality: All Season
- Weight: 48kg
- Waterproof: Yes
- Mattress Thickness: 65mm
If you’re after a slimline roof top tent then this one is another relatively lightweight model from a top brand.
Included with the Darche Kozi Series 1300 is a high density foam mattress with a removable cover for a cosy sleeping area, and a zippered sky window for star watching at night. All windows offer mesh screens.
This tent features seam sealing and a good waterproof rating offering plenty of protection from the elements. The baseboard also comes with pre-mounted channels for simple installation.
Benefits:
- Relatively lightweight
- A good van roof top tent
- Comes with pre-mounted channels
Drawbacks:
- Limited interior space
>> Click here for more details and the latest price.
MXX Jeep SUV Camping Roof Tent Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Folding
- Capacity: 2-person
- Seasonality: All Season
- Weight: –
- Waterproof: Yes
- Mattress Thickness: 3 inches
This MXX Jeep SUV camping roof tent features a high density foam mattress for a good night’s sleep, as well as tough wearing all-season water/rain proof construction with marine grade tear resistant canvas.
Lots of thought has been put into constructing this convenient rooftop tent and it offers handy features like hanging shoe and storage bags, LED lights, built in awnings and a heavy duty cover.
The spacious living quarters and option to add an annex if you want a roof top tent and annex makes it a great family option.
Benefits:
- Top quality construction
- Built in awnings
- Spacious living quarters and high weight capacity
Drawbacks:
- Vehicle mounting options limited
>> Click here for more details and the latest price.
Dometic 4WD Rooftop Tent Manual Operation Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Folding
- Capacity: 2-person
- Seasonality: All Season
- Weight: 50.6kg
- Waterproof: Yes
- Mattress Thickness: 50mm
This 2 person roof top tent by Dometic is an excellent option if you need ultimate weather protection.
The dual layer fabric makes it suitable for the toughest conditions, be it winter or summer, and the integrated mesh screens protect from insects and provide ventilation in warm weather.
The tent includes a durable PVC cover and telescopic ladder, and while it does offer limited interior space, it makes a great truck roof top tent for those campers that want to get off the beaten track.
Benefits:
- Offers the ultimate weather protection
- Dual layer fabric for tough conditions
Drawbacks:
- Limited interior space
>> Click here for more details and the latest price.
Best Hard Shell Roof Top Tents Australia 2022
Mason Taylor Outdoor Hard Shell Rooftop Tent Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Hard Shell
- Capacity: 2 person
- Seasonality: All Season
- Weight: 63kg
- Waterproof: Yes
- Mattress Thickness: 6cm
An all-season roof top pop up tent option by Mason Taylor, this is among the best hard shell roof top tent 2022 options on our list. If you’ve got an attached roof rail and crossbar, this might be the option for you.
Constructed with quality waterproof fabric and shock assisted arms, these hard shell roof top campers for sale are hard wearing with a strong base and heavy duty construction for tough weather.
Setup is simple – it pops up in seconds, and with a telescopic ladder and included 5cm thick memory foam mattress, it makes a good dual cab roof top tent.
It’s among the cheapest hard shell roof top tent options too (however that doesn’t necessarily make it cheap) but it does offer convenience for campers.
Benefits:
- A quality hard case roof top tent option
- Included memory foam mattress
- Hard wearing
Drawbacks:
- Quite heavy
>> Click here for more details and the latest price.
Best 4 Person Roof Top Tent
Darche Hi-View 2200 Roof Top Tent Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: Folding
- Capacity: 4-person
- Seasonality: All Season
- Weight: 87kg
- Waterproof: Yes
- Mattress Thickness: 65mm
The biggest roof top tent on our list is by the trusted brand Darche. This family sized tent has capacity for 4 people and more with an annex, and has multiple features for comfort and durability.
The tent features two sky windows, dual entry points with independent telescopic ladders, extra large mesh windows for good ventilation and minimal condensation and a family sized mattress with a cover.
Gas assisted setup helps you install this large tent and excellent weather protection makes it an option in the harsh Australian conditions. This is a great family rooftop tent.
Benefits:
- The largest roof top tent on our list
- Easy assisted setup and installation
- Dual sky windows and entry points
Drawbacks:
- None found
>> Click here for more details and the latest price.
Best 4×4 Roof Top Tent
Darche Panorama 1400 Roof Top Tent Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: Folding
- Capacity: 2-person
- Seasonality: All Season
- Weight: 63.6kg
- Waterproof: Yes
- Mattress Thickness: 50mm
Another option by Darche is their Panorama 1400 roof top tent featuring the best of their panorama series of tents. This is a low profile and compact option if you need a slim rooftop tent and offers great protection from the weather as can be expected from Darche.
One of the best features of this tent is how much it opens up – an excellent option for warmer days when you want to let the air flow in and see the world. It also includes a good quality fly, window awnings, as well as internal storage pockets and a thin but decent mattress.
Benefits:
- A slim roof top tent when packed
- Easy setup – simply unfold
Drawbacks:
- Heavier than other options
- Thinner mattress
>> Click here for more details and the latest price.
Best Automatic Roof Top Tent Australia
Dometic 4WD Rooftop Tent 12 Volt Operation Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: Folding
- Capacity: 2-person
- Seasonality: All Season
- Weight: 56kg
- Waterproof: Yes
- Mattress Thickness: 50mm
A roof top tent from one of the top brands for quality, this Dometic rooftop tent is an excellent option if you’re after an auto roof top tent.
Remote control assist makes it as easy as possible to set up camp. Of course this needs a battery source to operate and takes a bit to get used to, but it is simple and allows manual override if need be.
The tent is constructed with two-layer fabric, large windows and entry point and a super comfortable high density foam mattress.
Its lightweight frame and ease of setup makes it an excellent option among fold out roof top tents.
Benefits:
- Remote controlled auto roof top tent
- Super comfortable mattress
- Dual-layer fabric construction
Drawbacks:
- Requires a battery source
>> Click here for more details and the latest price.
I hope you enjoyed this guide and find it helpful in choosing among all the best rooftop tents! Looking for more tent options? Read about the best pop up tent and best family tent. Also check out all the best 4wd awning or find all my guides to the best camping gear here.
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