Why do I need a Tarp or Awning?

Camping in Australia means dealing with a wide range of weather conditions—hot, dry, humid, wet, and windy—anything is possible. Having a tarp or awning when setting up a tent for an extended period is a game changer, extending your tent’s footprint and living space. This creates an indoor/outdoor haven that provides more room to move around, cook, relax, or store gear outside the often crowded sleeping area. It can also provide a dry entryway, reducing the amount of mud and debris brought into the tent (especially if you have kids!). Rectangular tarps can also be used as a fly to cover your tent, providing an extra layer of shade in particularly hot weather or further protection in wet conditions.

Some people are discouraged by the thought of setting up tarps or awnings, thinking it’s a difficult process. The good news is that it’s not difficult, and with a bit of practice, it will become second nature (watch out for our video explainers coming soon).

Here at Homecamp, we have been quietly developing our tarps over the years. This year, we are pleased to offer a new range of tarps and awnings that are compatible with most of our tent range. They are easy to set up, made from proper materials, and deliver maximum versatility, allowing you to configure your shelter based on evolving weather conditions.

We offer two types of shelter to choose from: the updated Classic Tarp and the new Wing Awning.

The Classic Tarp

The Classic Tarp is a traditional rectangular tarp that with work with any tent from our range. Made from our tried and tested super strong, 285 GSM canvas, the tarp features 8 grommets, all double stitched and reinforced with webbing so that the tarp will stand up to all sorts of weather.

This tarp allows for various configurations:

• Connect one side to the Bell Tent, Cabin or A-frame spigot and add another single pole (see image no. 1).
• Expand the tarp by adding a couple of extra poles to each end (see image no. 2&3)
• Add up to 5 poles for a larger shaded area (see image no. 4)
• The Classic Tarp can also be used as a standalone shade structure – perfect for a bush or beach – using a 2, 4, or even 6-pole setup.

Available in Forest Green or Sand to match our tent range, this tarp is available in two sizes, medium and large. We would generally pair a large Tarp with the bigger tents – i.e. Bell and Cabin Tents and the medium with the A-Frame, however, there is no reason you couldn’t use either size on any tent!

For Tipi owners see the note at the end of this article.

The Wing Awning

We are proud to introduce the new Wing Awning – a simple-to-setup, custom-designed shelter that enhances the front area of your tent entrance.

Key features include:

• High Coverage: Provides extensive wide coverage to protect the entrance of your tent.
• Two-Pole Design: Uses a two-pole system to create a wide frontage, ensuring ample space.
• Protective Side Wings: Offers privacy and protection from sun, wind, and rain. These wings can be adjusted using poles, allowing for either a 2-pole or 4-pole.
• The six stainless steel D-rings enable flexible setup options, catering to various configurations.

What about the Tipi Tent?

Whilst it is possible to use a Classic Tarp with the Tipi tent there is no way to secure the tarp to the tent which is why we have specially designed Tipi Tent Wing Awning which uses a clever hood feature to attach secure to the Tipi.