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Camping furniture is one of those categories where it is easy to either spend too little and end up replacing everything after two trips, or spend too much on gear that is heavier and bulkier than your touring setup can comfortably carry. This guide covers exactly what to look for in camping chairs, tables and camp storage so you get it right the first time.

Browse our range of camping furniture at Campalot or read through this guide first to understand what actually matters when choosing gear for Australian touring.

Why Camping Furniture Deserves More Thought Than It Gets

Most people spend a lot of time researching their tent, their sleeping system and their power setup, then grab the first camping chair they see at the checkout. But camping furniture is where you spend most of your waking hours at camp. An uncomfortable chair or a table that wobbles every time you put your coffee down makes a bigger difference to your trip than you might expect.

Equally, camping furniture that is too heavy, too bulky or too fragile for Australian conditions quickly becomes a liability. The goal is gear that is comfortable, durable, packable and suited to the way you actually camp.

Camping Chairs: What to Look For

 

Weight Rating

Every camping chair has a rated load capacity. Make sure the chair you choose is rated well above the heaviest person who will use it. A chair used consistently at or near its rated limit will fail much sooner than one with comfortable headroom. For most adults, look for chairs rated at 120kg or above.

Frame Material

Aluminium frames are the preferred choice for touring camping furniture. They are lightweight, strong and do not rust. Steel frames are heavier but can be more rigid and are sometimes used in larger, more comfortable camp chairs where the extra weight is less of a concern. Avoid chairs with thin, unbranded steel frames as they tend to bend or fail under regular use.

Fabric

Australian UV is brutal on outdoor fabrics. Look for camping chairs with UV-treated or UV-resistant fabric. The seat should be breathable enough to sit in comfortably in warm weather and strong enough to resist wear from sandy and dusty conditions. Ripstop fabrics tend to hold up better than plain weaves over time.

Comfort for Extended Sitting

If you are spending multiple days at a camp site, a chair that is comfortable for 20 minutes but punishing after an hour is not suitable. Look for chairs with good lumbar support, a seat height that suits your body and armrests that actually sit at a useful height. Many experienced tourers prefer a slightly higher seat with a footrest option for longer stays.

Camp Tables: What to Look For

Surface Area

A table that is too small for your actual needs creates constant frustration. For a couple, a table with at least 80 to 100cm of surface length is a practical minimum for cooking and eating. For a family, 120cm or more. Check the dimensions before you buy rather than guessing from the product photo.

Height Adjustment

Adjustable leg height is a genuinely useful feature in camp tables. Campsites are rarely perfectly flat and being able to level the table without shimming it with gear underneath makes a real difference. Some tables also fold down to a low setting for use as a prep surface when sitting at a low camp chair.

Stability

A wobbly table is one of the most annoying things in a campsite. Look for tables with locking leg mechanisms and cross-bracing where possible. Unbranded folding tables with thin aluminium legs tend to flex and wobble under any meaningful load. Spend a little more on a properly constructed table and it will serve you well for years.

Pack Size and Weight

Camping furniture that takes up half your boot is not practical for touring. Most quality camp tables fold into a carry bag that is slim enough to slide between gear. Check the folded dimensions and weight before buying, particularly if storage space in your setup is limited.

Camp Storage and Organiser Furniture

Beyond chairs and tables, camping furniture also covers camp kitchens, gear cupboards and storage units. For anyone doing extended stays or full-time travelling, a purpose-built camp kitchen with a work surface, shelving and hooks transforms the cooking experience compared to improvising with a folding table.

• Look for camp kitchens and storage units with:
• A solid, easy-to-clean work surface
• Enough shelf depth for plates, cups and cooking equipment
• Hanging hooks for utensils and towels
• Secure latching when packed to prevent gear shifting in transit
• Dimensions that fit your available storage space in the vehicle or caravan

Matching Camping Furniture to Your Touring Style

• Weekend camper with a small car: compact folding chairs under 2kg each and a slim roll-up or fold-flat table. Weight and pack size matter most.
• Family caravan touring: larger, more comfortable chairs with cup holders and armrests, a full-size table and a camp kitchen unit for meal prep.
• 4WD touring with a canopy: chairs and a table that fit within the canopy footprint, durable enough to handle dusty and rough conditions without showing wear quickly.
• Long-stay or full-time travel: invest in comfort. Proper camp lounges, a quality table and a dedicated camp kitchen make everyday life significantly more pleasant.

The Short Version

Good camping furniture is comfortable, durable and packable. Focus on weight rating and frame quality for chairs, surface area and stability for tables, and pack dimensions for everything. Match what you buy to the way you actually camp rather than what looks good in a product photo.

Well-chosen camping furniture is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your camp experience. Get it right once and it will go with you on every trip.

  Shop camping furniture at Campalot -- chairs, tables and camp kitchens for every style of Australian touring.