Choosing, Rigging and Getting the Most Out of Every Trip.

There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from pulling into a campsite, throwing up a tarp in under ten minutes, and watching it handle whatever the sky throws at you for the next three days. Whether you’re setting up your own campsite, coordinating large-scale outdoor events, or managing equipment for a crew that lives and works outdoors, getting your tarp setup right isn’t just a comfort thing — it’s a professional one.

Australia’s climate is famously unforgiving. One afternoon you’re baking under 38-degree sun in the outback, and by evening you’re dodging a surprise downpour that turns your campsite into a shallow lake. A good tarp is the one piece of kit that handles both — and then some.

Why Tarp Selection Matters More Than You Think

It’s tempting to grab the cheapest tarp at the hardware store and call it a day. For a one-off weekend trip, that might even be fine. But for anyone managing camps professionally — think outdoor education programs, large-scale sporting events, construction site accommodation, or group tours — the choice of tarp material and construction directly affects how well your setup holds up over time.

Tarp weight is your first consideration. Weight is measured in GSM (grams per square metre), and it tells you a lot about durability and intended use. A lightweight 185gsm poly tarp handles light-duty shade and occasional rain cover without issue. Step up to 240gsm and beyond, and you’re into territory that suits regular use, strong wind loading, and extended exposure to the Australian sun. UV resistance and reinforced eyelets or D-rings become critical the moment a tarp is doing real work rather than sitting in the back of a ute.

Seam construction matters just as much. Welded waterproof seams make a genuine difference when water is sitting on a surface for hours. Stitched seams, while common on budget tarps, can wick moisture through the thread over time. For professional applications, that’s not good enough.

Poly Tarps: The Dependable All-Rounder

Poly tarps are the most widely used camping tarp, and for good reason — they’re lightweight, fully waterproof, and available in a wide range of sizes right off the shelf. Southern Tarps’ poly range covers everything from the general-use 185gsm silver/black through to heavier-duty 240gsm options in silver/green and white.

The 240gsm D-Ring silver/green poly tarp is a standout for campsite use. The D-ring attachment points give you far more rigging flexibility than standard eyelet tarps — a significant advantage when you’re working with uneven anchor points like trees, poles, vehicle roof racks, or improvised frames. You can run ropes at different angles without stressing a single attachment point, which extends the life of the tarp and gives you more setup options in the field.

The white 240gsm poly tarp is particularly well suited to camp cooking and work areas where you want maximum light reflection underneath. It keeps the space cooler and brighter, which matters when people are spending hours under it.

For campsite use, a well-rigged poly tarp pitched with a slight angle — never flat — will shed rain effectively and handle moderate wind. Pair it with quality rope or ratchet straps and you’ve got a setup that’s genuinely hard to beat for the price.

Canvas Tarps: When You Need Durability and Breathability

Canvas tarps occupy a different space to poly. They’re heavier and generally more expensive, but they earn their keep in extended or permanent camp setups where breathability and long-term durability are the priority.

Our Olive Green Ripstop Canvas Tarp is a solid choice for operations that keep the same tarp deployed for days or weeks at a time. Ripstop construction means a small tear doesn’t become a large one — a simple but important feature when a tarp is being packed, transported, and re-rigged repeatedly. Canvas also handles condensation better than synthetic materials, reducing the dripping that can occur on the underside of poly tarps in humid or cold conditions.

Canvas is the go-to for professionals running long-term outdoor camps — mining exploration, agriculture, remote construction — where the environment is tough and equipment needs to earn its keep. The weight trade-off is real, but so is the longevity.

Mesh Tarps: Shade Without the Heat Trap

Here’s one that’s underused in camping contexts but genuinely excellent when the heat is the problem rather than the rain: mesh tarps. In the harsh Australian summer, a solid tarp over a rest or dining area can turn the space into an oven. Mesh tarps allow airflow while still cutting UV exposure significantly.

Our mesh range is purpose-built for this. If you’re running a campsite in Queensland, the Northern Territory, or anywhere that sees serious summer heat, a mesh tarp over a central gathering area can make an enormous difference to how comfortable and functional that space is during the day. They’re also ideal as perimeter shade screens to cut wind and sun without blocking airflow entirely.

For mixed conditions — sun during the day, possible rain at night — a combination approach works well: a mesh tarp for the main shade area during the day, backed by a waterproof poly or PVC tarp that can be pulled across when weather rolls in.

PVC Tarps: Serious Protection for Serious Conditions

When the weather is genuinely severe and the stakes are high, PVC tarps are the material of choice. They’re heavier than poly, but the trade-off is a tarp that’s exceptionally durable, highly resistant to tearing, and capable of handling sustained heavy rain and wind without complaint.

Our PVC range is built for demanding applications. For camp operations in cyclone-prone regions, coastal environments with salt air and sustained wind, or situations where a compromised tarp creates a genuine operational problem, PVC is the right call. These tarps are also significantly easier to clean and maintain than poly or canvas, which matters when hygiene and presentation are part of the brief.

PVC tarps used as a covered vehicle parking area or equipment protection at a remote camp can last years with basic care, whereas a poly tarp in the same position might need replacing seasonally.

Getting Your Rigging Right

Even the best tarp underperforms if it’s rigged poorly. A few principles make a real difference in the field.

Pitch angle is everything.

A flat tarp pools water. Always rig with at least a 30-degree pitch on the side water needs to run off. In heavier rain, steeper is better. If you have a central high point with edges dropping away on all sides, you can shed rain in all directions simultaneously — this is the classic A-frame or pyramid pitch that experienced campers default to.

Tension matters as much as anchoring.

A loose tarp flaps in wind, which causes wear at attachment points and makes noise that disrupts camp. Get the tarp taut and it will handle wind load far better, distribute stress evenly, and last longer. Ratchet straps and quality rope are your friends here — Southern Tarps stocks both.

Think about your anchor points before you rig.

Trees are convenient but not always available, and wrapping rope around bark can damage both the tree and the rope. Portable poles, ground stakes, and vehicle-mounted anchor points give you more control over your setup and let you position the tarp exactly where it’s needed rather than where the trees happen to be.

Leave a run-off path.

Water needs somewhere to go. Position the low side of your tarp so run-off flows away from sleeping areas, fire pits, food prep zones, and equipment storage. In extended rain, this single consideration separates a dry camp from a wet one.

When Off-the-Shelf Isn’t Enough: Made-to-Order Tarps

Standard sizes work for most situations. But for professional camp operators, event managers, and anyone with a specific or recurring requirement, our made-to-order service is where the real value lies.

Custom tarps can be manufactured to exact dimensions, with attachment points positioned where you actually need them rather than where a standard product puts them. You can specify the material — poly, PVC, canvas or mesh — choose the weight, select attachment type (eyelets, D-rings, or webbing loops), and even opt for contoured designs that fit specific structures, vehicles, or equipment layouts.

All custom-made tarps from Southern Tarps are 100% waterproof with watertight welded seams, UV and abrasion resistant, and built for the Australian climate. Turnaround is fast, and delivery is available Australia-wide. If you run the same camp setup repeatedly — seasonal operations, recurring events, regular remote deployments — a made-to-order tarp pays for itself quickly in reduced replacement costs and time saved on setup.

A Note on Maintenance and Repair

Good tarps are an investment, and a bit of basic care goes a long way. Always allow tarps to dry fully before packing — storing a damp tarp encourages mould, particularly in canvas products. Give poly and PVC tarps a rinse after heavy use in dusty or coastal conditions to remove salt and grit that can accelerate wear.

For minor damage, Southern Tarps stocks adhesive repair tapes and specialist glues that can patch small tears and seal compromised seams on the spot. Catching damage early and repairing it promptly is far cheaper than replacing an entire tarp, and a well-maintained product can deliver many seasons of reliable service.

Choosing the Right Tarp for Your Setup

The right tarp depends on where you’re going, how long you’ll be there, what the weather might do, and what the tarp needs to do beyond just keeping rain out. As a general guide:

For light-duty, short-term camping and general versatility, a 185gsm or 240gsm poly tarp is the logical starting point. For extended camp operations where breathability and durability matter, canvas is worth the extra investment. When heat and airflow are the main issue, mesh tarps do a job that nothing else can quite replicate. For severe conditions, high-stakes applications, or environments that demand maximum longevity, PVC is the professional’s choice. And when a standard size or configuration simply doesn’t fit what you’re doing, made-to-order is the answer.

Southern Tarps has supplied tarp solutions to professionals across every sector that works outdoors in Australia. If you’re not sure which product best fits your requirement, get in touch — we’re happy to work through it with you. You can browse the full camping and leisure tarp range online and order with delivery anywhere in Australia.