17 Waterproof Camping Tarps for Dry Kiwi Outdoor Nights

Rain hammering on the fly, wind worrying the guy-lines, creek running right past the tent door – nights like these remind us a camping tarp isn’t a luxury, it’s insurance. The good news is that genuinely waterproof tarps do exist. Look for a hydrostatic-head rating of at least 3 000 mm, taped or welded seams, UV-stable coatings and fabric that won’t sag once it’s soaked. Tick those boxes and your crew, kit and campfire wood stay dry, even when the nor’west front turns sideways.

Of course, numbers on a tag don’t tell the full story. Material choices (polyethylene, sil-nylon, sil-poly, poly-cotton or bomb-proof PVC), weave density, tie-out layout, packed size and – let’s be honest – the sticker price in NZ dollars all decide whether a tarp suits a quick Coromandel overnighter or a month on the Milford Track. To make the decision easy we’ve compared 17 models, starting with a locally stocked Action Outdoors all-rounder and ranging from featherweight tramping covers to industrial slabs that laugh at gales. Grab a cuppa, check the spec notes, then pick your next dry Kiwi night shelter.

1. Action Outdoors All-Weather Polyethylene Camping Tarp

If you want a no-nonsense shield that shrugs off Kiwi rain squalls and won’t empty the tramping kitty, Action Outdoors’ own PE tarp is a cracking place to start. It’s the kind of kit that lives in the ute well past summer, ready to serve as groundsheet, gear cover, or full-blown shelter when the forecast turns ugly.

Key Specifications

• Size choices: 2 × 3 m, 3 × 4 m, 4 × 6 m
• 14 × 14 weave laminated polyethylene
• 12-mil (≈ 0.3 mm) thickness
• Aluminium eyelets every 50 cm; reinforced corners

Why It Works for NZ Conditions

PE might not be glamorous, but the laminate makes it 100 % waterproof and rot-proof—two boxes that any shortlist of waterproof camping tarps should tick. UV treatment stops the plastic going brittle after a baking Central Otago summer, while the tight weave resists abrasion from sharp tussock and river gravel.

Best Use Scenarios

• Tent footprint to protect lightweight tent floors
• A-frame rain-fly using two trekking poles and six guy-lines
• Ute load or firewood stack cover during winter storms

Potential Downsides

At around 900 g per square metre, the tarp is noticeably heavier and bulkier than sil-nylon or sil-poly rivals, so it’s better suited to car-based adventures than ultralight missions.

Where to Buy & Price Guide

Grab one in-store or online at ActionOutdoors.kiwi. Expect to pay roughly NZ $34 for the 2 × 3 m up to NZ $89 for the big 4 × 6 m sheet—excellent value for a tarp that’s likely to outlast several tent upgrades.

2. Bushbuck BivLite 8000 Tarp

Bushbuck’s BivLite 8000 sits firmly in the “go hard, go light” corner of the waterproof camping tarps spectrum. Designed by Kiwi hunters who routinely glass ridgelines in sleet, it mixes Alpine-level weatherproofing with a pack weight that disappears beside your cooker gas canister. If you tramp, hunt or bike-pack above the bush line and refuse to carry a brick, this square of rip-stop wizardry deserves a spot on the gear list.

Key Specifications

• Fabric: 15 D rip-stop nylon with silicone/PU coating
• Waterproof rating: 8 000 mm hydrostatic head
• Dimensions: 3 × 3 m (usable coverage 9 m²)
• Weight: 680 g including stuff-sack
• Tie-outs: 19 reinforced loops plus two mid-panel lifters

Stand-Out Features

• Alpine-ready HH outperforms many tent flies
• Glow-in-the-dark guy loops help midnight adjustments
• Stuff-sack doubles as a high-vis panel for signalling

Ideal For

1. Multi-day back-country hunts where every gram counts
2. Fast-and-light Southern Alps traverses
3. Emergency storm porch for small tents

Drawbacks to Note

• Premium price tag demands careful use of the ultralight fabric
• Bright logo won’t please stealth wildlife photographers

Purchase Info

Available direct from Bushbuck.co.nz or selected outdoor retailers. Expect to lay down about NZ $289 – a fair trade-off for bomber weatherproofing without the penalty grams.

3. Intents Outdoors Ultralight 3 × 3 GridStop Tarp

Designed in Aotearoa for people who actually tramp here, this GridStop tarp hits the sweet spot between featherweight packability and kiwi-proof toughness. The PU-coated rip-stop nylon uses a reinforcing grid that stops pin-prick holes spreading, so you can pitch on shingly river flats without babying the fabric. At barely half a kilo it buries itself in the top lid of a 40-litre pack yet still covers a three-person picnic table when the drizzle rolls in.

Key Specifications

• Fabric: 20 D GridStop nylon, PU 3 000 mm HH, fully taped
• Size: 3 × 3 m (9 m²)
• Weight: 550 g inc. stuff-sack
• Tie-outs: 8 perimeter + 3 ridge-line loops

Unique Selling Points

• Packs to a one-litre Nalgene footprint
• NZ design means real warranty and spare parts locally

Best Set-ups

• Diamond pitch over a hammock
• Lean-to ridge-line shelter for ultralight bivvy sleepers

Minor Quibbles

• Only offered in forest green, which can vanish in dense bush
• PU coat needs reproofing after a few hard seasons

Where to Buy

IntentsOutdoors.co.nz lists it at roughly NZ$239, shipping nationwide.

4. Alton Goods Ultra-Lightweight Hex Tarp

Key Specifications

• 15 D sil-poly with silicone/PU blend coating
• 5 000 mm hydrostatic head
• 3.2 m ridge-line, 2.9 m widest span
• 14 reinforced tie-outs, reflective guy loops
• 430 g trail weight; stuffs to 22 × 11 cm

Why Kiwi Campers Love It

Sil-poly shrugs off moisture and doesn’t sag, keeping pitches drum-tight through Fiordland drizzle or East Cape humidity. The catenary-cut hex shape slices wind and saves grams, making it a favourite among hammock hangers and fast-moving trampers.

Use Cases

• Primary rain-fly over gathered-end hammocks
• Minimalist A-frame shelter for one or two people
• Quick lunch shade on bike-packing expeditions

Considerations

The clipped side panels can expose gear in sideways rain—drop a corner low or rig a storm door if a front is brewing.

Pricing & Availability

Available from AltonGoods.com (NZ warehouse) for about NZ$219—sharp money for one of the lightest waterproof camping tarps you can buy locally.

5. Kiwi Camping Kereru 6 Fly

Heading for the maunga with a tribe in tow? The Kereru 6 Fly turns any damp DOC campsite into a dry, social hub. It’s a classic rectangle fly on steroids—almost five by four metres of waterproof polyester that easily swallows a six-person picnic table, the chilly bin and the hound’s bed. At three kilos it’s no tramper’s dream, but for drive-in or boat-in missions it’s gold.

Key Specifications

• 75 D polyester, PU 2 000 mm
• 4.9 × 4.15 m coverage
• Supplied steel centre pole, guy ropes, pegs
• Packed weight: ~3 kg

Strengths for Family Camping

Colour-coded guys and pre-reinforced corners mean the whole shelter is standing before the kids have finished their juice boxes. The generous footprint keeps rain off cookers and camp chairs alike.

Set-up Tips

Stake out the four corners first, tension lightly, then pop in the centre pole for an instant high-roof marquee. Add a spare trekking pole opposite for “porch mode” ventilation.

Caveats

Bulky when rolled and too hefty for pack-in trips. Store bone-dry to prevent mildew on the PU coating.

Buy & Price

Grab one from EquipOutdoors.co.nz or major Kiwi Camping dealers for about NZ $179.

6. ARK Tarps Ripstop Camping Tarp

ARK builds their rip-stop PE tarps for folks who leave a shelter strung up for weeks—think Northland surf shacks or long-term bush camps. The heavy-duty laminate is quieter and tougher than budget blue sheets yet still packs small enough for a kayak hatch, making it a solid midpoint in the waterproof camping tarps line-up.

Key Specifications

• Rip-stop polyethylene, welded seams
• UV-stabilised coating, 100 % waterproof
• Size 3 × 4 m; weight 1.6 kg
• Aluminium eyelets every 50 cm

Performance Highlights

Won’t crack or peel after months of Kiwi sun; welded seams stop wind-driven rain sneaking through stitch holes.

Who It Suits

Perfect for semi-permanent base camps, boat-deck covers, tradie site shelters.

Shortcomings

PE can flap noisily in gusty conditions; bulkier than sil-poly alternatives.

Purchase Details

Order direct from ARKTarps.co.nz for around NZ$89.

7. Sea to Summit Escapist 15 D Tarp

When every gram matters but you still need a safety net against sideways rain, Sea to Summit’s Escapist 15 D is hard to beat. It slips into a jacket pocket yet stretches to cover a two–person bivvy, making it a favourite with Te Araroa thru-hikers who count grams and still insist on waterproof camping tarps they can trust.

Key Specifications

• 15 D Ultra-Sil Nano rip-stop nylon
• 1 200 mm hydrostatic head
• 3 × 3 m square (9 m²)
• 8 perimeter + 6 reinforced ridge tie-outs
• Trail weight: 300 g (stuff-sack included)

Best For

• Ultralight tramping and bike-packing missions
• Emergency shelter on long day walks

Why It Stands Out

Bar-tacked attachment points accept trekking poles or branches, and optional Escapist bug-net clips straight on for a complete sleep system.

Limitations

• Moderate HH rating demands a taut pitch in persistent rain
• Stakes and poles are sold separately

Buy Info

Available through Bivouac, Macpac and other NZ stockists for about NZ $299.

8. DD Hammocks 3 × 3 Pro Tarp

Hammock campers across Aotearoa swear by this square of olive-green polyester because it’s tough, easy to rig and big enough to handle sideways rain without weighing down the pack. Whether you’re slinging a DD Frontline between beech trunks or ground-dwelling on a coastal tramp, the Pro Tarp’s generous tie-out grid turns “one sheet of fabric” into a dozen different shelters.

Key Specifications

• 190 T polyester, PU‐coated to 3 000 mm HH
• 3 × 3 m; coverage 9 m²
• 19 reinforced attachment points, including centre line
• Weight: ~1 kg (tarp, stuff-sack, guy lines)

Strengths

• Square cut offers true all-direction pitch options
• Side pole sleeves create instant awning wings
• Darker fabric boosts stealth and dawn sleep-ins

Best Configurations

1. Diamond pitch over a gathered-end hammock
2. Low A-frame bivvy for alpine tussock camps
3. Porch mode with hiking poles for family picnics

Weak Points

• Heavier than sil-nylon rivals; not ideal for ounce-counters
• Polyester holds a bit more bulk in the pack

Where to Buy

Stocked by Gearshop.co.nz and other NZ retailers for around NZ $139, including pegs and reflective guy lines.

9. MSR Thru-Hiker 70 Wing Tarp

At 530 g the MSR Thru-Hiker 70 Wing hands gram-counters real storm insurance without cuben-fibre price tags. Its tapered profile rigs easily with trekking poles to create a low-drag shelter that shrugs off southerlies.

Key Specifications

• Fabric: 20 D rip-stop nylon
• Coating: Xtreme Shield™ PU/Sil, 1 200 mm HH
• Dimensions: 2.9 × 3.2 m wing shape
• Weight: 530 g

What Makes It Different

MSR’s Xtreme Shield coating lasts roughly three times longer than standard PU. Catenary edges let you crank guy lines drum-tight with fewer stakes.

Ideal Trips

1. Te Araroa section hikes where every gram matters
2. Multi-day bike-packing loops on the Timber Trail

Downsides

• Needs trekking poles or handy trees; none supplied
• Moderate HH demands precise pitching in torrential rain

Purchase

Pick one up from Macpac or Hunting & Fishing for about NZ $399.

10. Naturehike PU 3 000 Hex Tarp

Looking for a rain-proof roof that won’t torch the travel kitty? Naturehike’s six-sided polyester fly delivers real 3 000 mm waterproofing, taped seams and a roomy 3.6 m ridge – all for the cost of a pub meal and petrol. The hex cut trims spare fabric so it rides neatly in a pannier or day-pack, yet still throws decent shade on scorching Coromandel sand. Polyester stays taut overnight, but at 900 g you’ll feel it on multi-day hauls, and the steel grommets prefer a freshwater rinse after salty sea breezes.

Key Specifications

• 210 T polyester, PU 3 000 mm
• Ridge-line 3.6 m; widest span ≈ 3.3 m
• Weight 900 g (tarp + stuff-sack)
• Six reinforced corners, factory seam-sealed

Pros for Kiwi Users

• Budget-friendly (≈ NZ$79 landed)
• Arrives pre-taped – no messy DIY sealant
• Hex shape pitches fast with two trekking poles

Best Uses

• Wallet-friendly hammock fly
• Family beach shade or BBQ rain-dash cover

Cons

• Heavier than sil-nylon competitors
• Grommets may rust if stored salty – rinse and dry

Buying Details

Order through Amazon NZ or AliExpress; allow a fortnight for shipping and GST clearance.

11. Exped Versa 3 UL Tarp

For fast-and-light missions where every gram matters, Exped’s Versa 3 UL proves that waterproof camping tarps don’t have to be bulky. The sil-poly fabric stays drum-tight when wet, yet the whole sheet compresses smaller than a 330 ml soda can—ideal for trampers who hate wasted pack space.

Key Specifications

• 15 D sil-poly, 3 000 mm HH
• 3 × 3 m square (9 m²)
• 450 g trail weight incl. stuff-sack
• 8 perimeter and 2 ridge tie-outs

Notable Features

• Coke-can pack size slips into hip-belt pockets
• Reflective tie-outs make night pitching simple

Ideal Conditions

Built for exposed alpine spurs where weight must stay low but rain is inevitable.

Shortcomings

Pricey and a tad cramped for two people plus packs.

Pricing

OutdoorAction.co.nz lists it at ~NZ$349 with guylines and repair patches included.

12. Volans Square 3 × 3 Rain Tarp

Volans’s 3 × 3 m Rain Tarp is the wildcard in our waterproof camping tarps line-up: feather-light yet tough enough for gusty lake shores, and thanks to its silver backing it moonlights as a portable sun-shade when Central Otago turns furnace-hot.

Key Specifications

• 40 D rip-stop nylon with heat-reflective silver under-coat
• Seam-taped for full waterproofness
• Weight: 350 g (tarp and stuff-sack)
• Eight reinforced tie-outs, two mid-panel lifters

NZ-Specific Benefits

Flip the silver side skyward to bounce off brutal alpine UV, keeping the camp kitchen noticeably cooler; face it down when you want darker, glare-free shade for an afternoon kip.

Practical Tips

• Run a taut 3 mm cord ridge-line to maximise the reflective surface.
• In nor’westerlies, drop the windward edge to waist height for zero flap.

Limitations

Seasonal production runs sell out fast—if you spy one in stock, hit the buy button.

Price & Availability

Available direct from Volans.co.nz for about NZ $119, including reflective guy-line and mini repair patch.

13. Bunnings Protek Heavy-Duty PVC Tarp (4 × 6 m)

13. Bunnings Protek Heavy-Duty PVC Tarp (4 × 6 m)

Key Specifications

• 610 gsm PVC laminate, fully waterproof
• Welded seams, rope-reinforced hems
• Brass eyelets every 50 cm
• Size / coverage: 4 × 6 m (24 m²)
• Weight: ~8 kg

Why It Earns a Spot

Sometimes you need a tarp that’s less “camp gear” and more “portable bunker”. The Protek’s thick PVC shrugs off gale-blown branches, UV, and road grit, making it the hard-case cousin in the waterproof camping tarps line-up. Once tensioned it won’t stretch, so rainwater runs straight off instead of pooling.

Best Applications

• Storm-proof car-camp awning or boat cover
• Emergency roof patch after a nor’wester blast
• Long-term workshop or tradie site shelter

Considerations

Eight kilos is sack-of-spuds territory, so forget backpacking. Wet PVC can be slippery—watch your footing when draping it over vans or sheds.

Where to Buy

Grab one off the shelf at Bunnings warehouses nationwide; expect to pay about NZ $129, ropes included.

14. Mountain Designs Ultralight 20 D Nylon Tarp

Australian-born but readily found in Kiwi shops, the Mountain Designs Ultralight gives gram-counters serious rain insurance without the Dyneema price sting. Weighing less than many fleece tops, this sil-nylon sheet still boasts a 4 000 mm waterproof rating, so sideways sleet on the Kepler never soaks your bivvy.

Key Specifications

• Fabric: 20 D silicone-coated nylon
• Hydrostatic head: 4 000 mm
• Dimensions: 2.9 × 3.5 m (≈ 10 m²)
• Packed weight: 550 g (tarp + stuff-sack)
• Tie-outs: 8 perimeter + 2 ridge loops

Advantages

• High HH plus rip-stop weave handles Fiordland deluges.
• Bright stuff-sack makes it easy to locate in a cluttered pack.
• Sil-nylon drapes quietly—no midnight flap keeping you awake.

Usage Examples

1. Two-person trekking-pole A-frame on alpine tussock.
2. Fast lunch shelter for bike-packing pairs.
3. Emergency gear cache cover when you dash up a summit.

Drawbacks

• Sil-nylon absorbs a touch of water and stretches; re-tension lines after heavy rain.
• Price sits in the mid-high bracket for its size.

Buy

Pick one up from Macpac stores or other NZ retailers for about NZ $279—a fair tag for a truly waterproof camping tarp that disappears in the pack.

15. Hennessy Hex Fly 70 D

15. Hennessy Hex Fly 70 D

Key Specifications

• 70 D PU-coated polyester, 2 000 mm HH
• Hex shape, 3.65 × 3.15 m footprint
• 6 perimeter + 2 ridge-line tie-outs
• Trail weight: ~650 g (fly, stuff-sack)

Why Consider It

Hennessy built this fly to partner its jungle hammocks, so the coverage is generous and the hex cut spills wind rather than catching it. Polyester’s low stretch keeps the ridge drum-tight through damp overnight fronts, a blessing on salt-laden coastal camps where saggy sil-nylon can pool water.

Best In

• Gusty West Coast beaches
• Shoulder-season missions where you split time between hammock and ground bivvy
• Car-camp kitchens needing quick, high-roof shelter

Things to Watch

Factory seams are stitched, not taped—run a line of silicone sealant if multi-day rain is on the cards. The dark olive fabric blocks morning light but gets warm in full sun.

Purchase Points

Stocked by Gearshop and HennessyHammocks.co.nz for roughly NZ $229, including reflective guy-lines and stuff-sack.

16. Kmart Oztrail Budget Poly Tarp (8 × 10 ft)

Need a throw-down sheet that won’t break the holiday budget? Kmart’s rebadged Oztrail poly tarp keeps drizzle, sand and sap off your gear for the price of a coffee run—perfect for campers who’d rather save their coin for fish ’n chips.

Key Specifications

• 12 × 12 weave laminated PE, 11-mil (≈ 0.28 mm) thick
• 8 × 10 ft (2.4 × 3 m) rectangle, 720 g packed
• Brass eyelets spaced at roughly 90 cm

Budget Appeal

Under NZ $25, so replacing it every couple of summers won’t sting.

Use Cases

• Tent groundsheet
• Picnic or beach mat
• Emergency roof patch

Limitations

PE degrades quickly in harsh UV, and eyelets can tear out if a southerly kicks up.

Purchase Info

Available online or in-store at Kmart NZ nation-wide.

17. Tatonka Tarp 1 TC (Polycotton Blend)

Love the idea of a crackling camp-fire but hate the thought of ember holes in a pricey sil-nylon? Tatonka’s polycotton fly solves that dilemma. The tightly woven 65 / 35 canvas blend breathes like cotton yet shrugs off light rain thanks to a factory water-repellent finish, so condensation is almost a non-issue on muggy Northland nights.

Key Specifications

• 65 % polyester / 35 % cotton canvas
• Water-repellent DWR coating
• 3 × 3 m square; ~1.2 kg packed
• 16 reinforced webbing loops plus centre hang point

Stand-out Qualities

• Spark-resistant fabric lets you park it close to the fire pit
• Whisper-quiet in wind, no tarp flapping at 2 a.m.

Best For

• Bushcraft weekends, scout camps, car-camp kitchens in beech forests.

Watch-outs

• Needs periodic re-proofing and full drying before storage; heavier than synthetics.

Availability & Price

Specialist NZ distributors and some hunting stores; around NZ $259 with stuff-sack included.

Keep the Rain Off and Adventure On

Choosing the right tarp is easy once you balance three things: material, hydrostatic-head rating and footprint. Sil-poly or sil-nylon keeps trampers light, poly-cotton breathes beside the camp-fire, while PVC and dense PE shrug off months of coastal weather. Aim for at least 3 000 mm HH, insist on taped or welded seams, and size up so both sleepers and packs sit under cover without turning your shelter into a wind-catcher.

Get those basics sorted and you’ll stay bone-dry from Kaimai drizzle to Fiordland deluges, no matter how twitchy the forecast.

Ready to upgrade? Drop into our Auckland store for a yarn with the crew or browse the range at Action Outdoors before the next adventure – warm, dry nights await.