Josh put Outback Campers’ latest rooftop tent through the ultimate test to see if it performs in remote and inhospitable locations.
It’s commonplace when you’re camping: the fire is roaring, you lean back in your chair, crack a few William Shakesbeers, and your inner Dale Kerrigan shines through as you ask, “How’s the serenity?” repeatedly. It’s about as good as life gets, I reckon. That is, until lights appear in the distance and draw closer to you and your site.
In a moment, all serenity is forgotten as the classic late-to-camp couple reef their handbrake on right next to you and start slamming doors, unzipping bags, and arguing over how to pitch their tent. It’s the scenario every camper dreads, and it can easily be avoided. Rooftop tents offer a quick and easy setup that can be done in minutes, leaving you more time to enjoy the serenity and the beers.
The tent that may save your marriage
In this review, I’ll be taking a closer look at Outback Campers’ latest rooftop tent and putting it through the ultimate torture test to see if it’s up to the task of performing in some of Australia’s most remote and inhospitable locations and whether it can put an end to tent-related arguments, a leading cause of divorce in Australia. Probably.
I put it to the test
In December 2022, I set out to put the Outback Campers Explorer Mark II to the test. I’ll admit, I got a little excited as I concocted a route that’d punish every inch of the tent and entirely forgot the eye-watering price of diesel in Australia. Nevertheless, I remained committed. Here’s where we went:
Leaving Outback Campers HQ in Melbourne, we set course for the coast, knocking over the Great Ocean Road as many Aussie road-trippers would before pushing onward to the Eyre Peninsula, a perfect mix of bumpy beaches and steep rock climbs. After wheeling our way to Ceduna, we turned inland to tackle the severely corrugated Googs Track, known for being somewhat of a mini-Simmo crossing. This is where we’d test how the tent handled the heat, and we picked a good time to do it because it was a sweltering 49 degrees during daylight hours.
Once we ticked Googs Track off the list, we settled in for a blacktop run to Coober Pedy. Then pointed the bullbars towards Uluru. After that, we doubled back and crossed the Nullarbor, ensuring we took just about every left and right turn possible to maximise our adventure.
With the Nullarbor done and dusted, we rolled into Esperance, deciding to make this slice of heaven home for a while. The Explorer Mark II was utilised every night for accommodation as we set about enjoying all that Esperance and its surroundings had to offer.
After that, we decided to turn the dial up to eleven and head ultra-remote to tackle the Surveyor General’s Corner, the APY lands, and permission-only roads and destinations we aren’t even allowed to write about.
The verdict
So how’d the Explorer Mark II by Outback Campers hold up? Well, to put it simply, it blew me away.
It’s an absolute tank of an RTT. A well-engineered piece of kit that stood up to every challenge I threw at it. From the scorching heat of Googs Track to the unpredictable weather of the coast, the Explorer Mark II kept us comfortable and protected throughout the trip. Even after the worst bulldust I’ve seen, not a single speck made it through the seal and into the habitat.
The setup takes around 25 seconds to put up. And if it takes longer than 40 seconds to take down, you’re doing something wrong. It’s clear that Outback Campers has put a lot of thought into the tent’s design; having the ability to remove the rain fly entirely is a game-changer in the Outback. And features like built-in LED lights, multiple chargers, and an extremely comfortable foam mattress make it a little slice of paradise in a compact package.
The Explorer Mark II comes with more factory-fitted offerings than almost every other RTT on the market. But perhaps the most impressive thing about the Explorer Mark II is its durability. Despite being subjected to the harshest conditions Australia has to offer, the tent remained in pristine condition throughout the trip. Its high-quality materials and construction meant that it stood up to everything from bulldust, corrugations, rain, and gale-force winds.
The Explorer Mark II by Outback Campers has well and truly earned its place as a top-of-the-line rooftop tent that offers everything a camper could need. From quick and easy setup to unbeatable durability. Whether you’re exploring the rugged terrain of the Outback or camping on the coast, we’ve proven this tent is up to the challenge. And then some.
SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARD INCLUSIONS:
- Outer Dimensions: 2160mm x 1400mm x 1500mm (230mm when closed)
- Weight: 90kg
- Mattress Dimensions: 2060mm x 1300mm x 75mm
- 330GMS cotton canvas, PU 3000mm
- Full aluminium hard shell, including the corners
- YKK zippers
- 3 x side awning fully detachable
- Condensation pad
- 2.3m telescopic ladder
- 150W solar panel with voltage regulator and solar controller
- 2 pairs on cross bars, 1 pair for the solar panel , 1 pair for all your gear
- Insulted roof
- Carpeted ceiling and base
- 6 x latches for tight seal
- Integrated 12V electrical, includes a 1m leg strip light with wireless remote, 3 cigarette plugs and 4 usb ports.
- Internal storage system
Want to see everywhere we took the Explorer Mark II by Outback Campers? Check out the feed below!
