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The Complete Bell Tent Buying Guide

Which Bell Tent Is Right for You?

Buying a bell tent is a little different to buying a standard camping tent. A quality canvas bell tent can last for many years, so it’s worth taking a little time to choose the model and size that best suits how you’ll actually use it.

Whether you’re planning weekend camping trips, family holidays, glamping accommodation or a long-term setup, this guide will help you choose the perfect bell tent.

Step 1: Choose the Right Bell Tent Model

At Breathe Bell Tents, we offer three main ranges, each designed for a different style of camping.

Roman Deluxe

Perfect for: Casual campers, families and first-time bell tent owners.

The Roman Deluxe is our entry-level canvas bell tent, offering exceptional value while still delivering the beautiful camping experience that canvas tents are famous for.

If you’re heading away a few times each year, enjoying weekends with the family, or simply want an affordable way to experience canvas camping, the Roman Deluxe is an excellent choice.

Ideal for:

  • Weekend camping
  • Family holidays
  • Backyard camping
  • Occasional glamping
  • First-time canvas tent owners

Traveller Series

Perfect for: Touring campers, road trips, festivals and campers who are constantly on the move.

The Sibley Traveller is the ideal companion for campers who value portability and quick setup. Made from lightweight 285 g/m² technical cotton canvas, it offers the breathable comfort and authentic feel of a canvas tent while packing down significantly smaller than heavier canvas models.

Designed with mobile camping in mind, the Traveller is easy to transport, quick to pitch and perfect for those who regularly move from campsite to campsite. If you’re heading away for weekends, touring Australia, attending festivals or simply want a quality canvas tent that’s lighter to handle, the Traveller is an excellent choice.

While it isn’t intended for long-term or permanent pitching like some of our heavier-duty models, it offers the perfect balance of durability, comfort and convenience for regular recreational camping.

Ideal for:

  • Touring holidays
  • Weekend camping trips
  • Festivals
  • Road trips
  • Couples and small families
  • Campers wanting a lighter, more compact canvas tent
  • Occasional to regular recreational camping

ProTech Series

Perfect for: Regular campers, glampers and customers wanting premium quality.

The ProTech has become one of Australia’s most popular premium bell tents.

Built from heavier-duty materials and designed for regular use, it’s ideal for campers who spend significant time outdoors and want a tent they’ll enjoy for many years.

Many glamping businesses, schools and event companies also choose the ProTech because of its excellent balance of durability, comfort and value.

Ideal for:

  • Frequent camping
  • Family adventures
  • Luxury camping
  • Glamping accommodation
  • Semi-permanent setups
  • Customers wanting a premium all-rounder

Apex Series

Perfect for: Professional use, intensive camping and long-term installations.

The Apex represents the most advanced Sibley bell tent produced by CanvasCamp.

Designed with upgraded materials throughout, it is built for customers who expect the highest level of durability and performance.

If your tent will be used regularly, remain pitched for extended periods, or become part of a commercial accommodation business, the Apex is the premium choice.

Ideal for:

  • Commercial glamping
  • Permanent or long-term camping
  • Event businesses
  • Professional operators
  • Customers wanting the very best available

Step 2: Choose the Right Size

One of the most common questions we receive is:

“What size bell tent do I actually need?”

While everyone camps differently, these general recommendations can help.

3 Metre Bell Tent

Best for:

  • Solo travellers
  • Couples
  • Minimalist camping

Compact, lightweight and easy to transport, the 3m is ideal when you simply need a comfortable place to sleep.

4 Metre Bell Tent

Best for:

  • Couples
  • Small families
  • Weekend adventures

The 4m provides noticeably more living space while still remaining easy to pitch and transport.

4.5 Metre Bell Tent

Often called the “Goldilocks” size.

For many campers it’s the perfect balance between space and practicality.

Large enough for comfortable camping while remaining manageable for regular trips away.

Great for:

  • Couples wanting extra room
  • Small families
  • Comfortable weekend camping
  • Backyard glamping

5 Metre Bell Tent

Our most popular size.

The 5m offers generous living space for families and is incredibly versatile.

It comfortably accommodates beds, furniture, luggage and even a wood stove while still leaving room to relax.

Ideal for:

  • Families
  • Regular campers
  • Glamping
  • Extended camping trips
  • Hot tenting

6 Metre Bell Tent

If you enjoy plenty of space, the 6m is a fantastic option.

Popular with larger families, luxury campers and commercial glamping businesses, it creates an impressive living environment where you can comfortably spend time indoors during poor weather.

Ideal for:

  • Large families
  • Luxury camping
  • Glamping businesses
  • Longer stays

6m Emperor Twin Bell Tent

Perfect for: Families, luxury campers, glamping businesses and anyone wanting separate living and sleeping spaces.

The 6m Emperor Twin takes everything people love about a traditional bell tent and adds another dimension—quite literally. Rather than a single circular room, the Emperor Twin features two connected living spaces, creating an incredibly versatile layout that feels more like a canvas cabin than a tent.

The additional space allows you to create separate zones for sleeping, relaxing or storing gear. Many families use one side as a bedroom and the other as a lounge or dining area, while glamping operators often furnish it as a luxury suite complete with proper beds, seating and décor. Depending on the setup, it comfortably accommodates 4–5 people on beds or up to 10 campers on sleeping mats.

Like our premium Pro Series tents, the Emperor Twin is built from high-quality breathable 100% cotton canvas with a heavy-duty zip-in bathtub groundsheet, reinforced stress points, steel poles and excellent ventilation, making it comfortable across Australia’s diverse climates. The breathable canvas helps minimise condensation while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment throughout the seasons.

The twin-door design also makes the Emperor incredibly adaptable. It works beautifully as:

  • A family tent with separate parents’ and children’s sleeping areas
  • A luxury glamping suite
  • A bedroom with an adjoining lounge or dining room
  • Long-stay camping accommodation
  • Premium event or wedding accommodation
  • A spacious backyard guest retreat

For many campers, the Emperor Twin is the natural progression once they’ve experienced traditional bell tents. It offers the charm and ambience of canvas camping, but with the practicality and comfort of having multiple living spaces under one roof.

Choose the Emperor Twin if…

  • You want separate sleeping and living areas.
  • You’re camping with children and appreciate extra privacy.
  • You’re creating a premium glamping experience.
  • You enjoy extended stays and want a tent that feels more like a canvas cabin than a traditional tent.
  • You’re a venue, event business or accommodation provider looking for a truly memorable guest experience.

7m ProTech Quad Door Bell Tent

Perfect for: Premium glamping, event venues, retreats, wedding accommodation, commercial operators and anyone wanting the ultimate luxury bell tent.

If you’re looking for the most impressive bell tent in our range, this is it.

The 7m ProTech Quad Door is the largest Sibley bell tent available, offering an enormous 38.4 square metres of internal living space—roughly the size of a two-car garage. Designed for customers who don’t want to compromise on space, comfort or flexibility, it comfortably sleeps up to 8 guests on four queen beds or 14 campers on sleeping mats, making it ideal for large groups or luxury accommodation.

What truly sets the Quad Door apart is its four full-height A-frame entrances, positioned around the tent to create exceptional access, natural ventilation and uninterrupted views in every direction. Whether you’re overlooking a vineyard, the ocean or the bush, you can open multiple sides of the tent to bring the outdoors in and create a light, airy living space.

For event venues and glamping businesses, the Quad Door provides incredible flexibility. Open all four doors for weddings, wellness retreats or yoga sessions, or configure the interior with multiple sleeping areas, lounge furniture, dining settings or even a central wood-burning stove. The additional access points also make it much easier for larger groups to move in and out without disturbing one another.

Like all ProTech models, the 7m Quad Door is built from premium 360 g/m² waterproof 100% cotton Pro Canvas, with a heavy-duty zipped bathtub groundsheet, integrated 360° mesh walls, reinforced stress points and commercial-grade steel poles. It’s designed to provide breathable comfort, excellent airflow and reliable four-season performance, making it equally at home on a family property or as the centrepiece of a luxury glamping business.

Ideal for:

  • Luxury glamping accommodation
  • Wedding and event venues
  • Retreats and wellness spaces
  • Large families and group camping
  • Commercial operators
  • Premium long-term camping setups
  • Customers wanting the ultimate statement bell tent

Choose the 7m Quad Door if…

  • You want the largest and most versatile bell tent available.
  • You’re creating a premium glamping or hospitality experience.
  • You love open, airy spaces with panoramic views.
  • You regularly camp with large groups or extended family.
  • You want a bell tent that truly becomes the centrepiece of your campsite or venue.

8 Metre Bell Tent

The largest bell tent in our range.

The 8m is designed for commercial operators, events and customers wanting truly exceptional space.

It easily accommodates multiple bedrooms, lounge areas or large groups, making it a favourite for premium glamping sites and event accommodation.

Ideal for:

  • Commercial glamping
  • Event accommodation
  • Group camping
  • Luxury setups

Which Bell Tent Should You Choose?

If you’re still unsure, here’s a simple guide:

Choose the Roman Deluxe if…

  • You’re new to canvas camping.
  • You camp occasionally.
  • You want outstanding value.

Choose the ProTech if…

  • You camp regularly.
  • You want premium quality.
  • You’d like a tent that will serve you for many years.

Choose the Apex if…

  • You need the highest level of durability.
  • Your tent will see heavy or commercial use.
  • You’re creating a long-term glamping setup.

Still Not Sure?

Every camper is different, and that’s where we can help.

We’ve been helping Australians choose canvas bell tents since 2014, and we’re always happy to discuss your camping style, family size and future plans before you purchase.

Whether you’re setting up a cosy backyard retreat, planning your first family camping holiday or building a commercial glamping business, we’ll help you find the bell tent that’s right for you.

Browse our complete range of canvas bell tents, or get in touch with our friendly team for personalised advice—we’re always happy to help.

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