Camping Table Sizes and Dimensions Guide

A camping table is one of those bits of kit you only notice when it is the wrong size. Too small and the plates, stove and drinks fight for space. Too big and it swallows half your boot or annexe. This guide breaks down the common camping table sizes sold in Australia, what each size is best used for, and roughly what you can expect to pay, so you can match a table to your van, your campsite and the size of your crew.

Common camping table sizes at a glance

The table below compares the main types you will find on the shelves at Australian outdoor retailers. Sizes are the set-up dimensions (length x width x height), and prices are indicative recommended ranges in Australian dollars. Prices move around with sales and materials, so treat them as a guide rather than a quote.

Standard camping table heights explained

Height matters as much as the tabletop. Get it wrong and you are either hunched over dinner or standing to reach your plate. Three heights cover almost every situation:

• Low, around 30 to 40 cm. Snack and side tables sit at chair-arm height, perfect for a drink or a lantern next to a low camp chair.
• Dining, around 65 to 70 cm. This is the standard height that pairs with most camping chairs. If you only remember one number, remember 70 cm.
• Bench or cooking, around 80 to 90 cm. A taller setting suits food prep and cooking while you stand, which saves your back over a long trip.

Many roll-up, fold-in-half and bamboo tables now offer two or three of these heights in a single frame, so one table can move from breakfast to a standing cook station in seconds.

Camping table sizes by type: a buying guide

Snack and side tables (around 40 x 40 cm)

These little tables are not for dinner, they are for everything else: a coffee by the fire, a spot for your torch and keys, or a low table for the kids. They fold to the thickness of a laptop and weigh close to a kilogram, so they slip down the side of a packed boot. Load ratings are usually around 30 kg, which is plenty for a mug and a book. If you have room, one per person beats fighting over the big table.

Compact lightweight tables (around 60 x 40 cm)

Built for hikers, motorcyclists and anyone chasing minimal pack size, these tables use alloy poles and a tensioned fabric or slat top that collapses into a bag around 40 cm long. They typically weigh under a kilogram yet hold up to 50 kg. The trade-off is surface area and price: a genuine ultralight table costs more than a basic family table. Ideal for couples, small annexes and setups where storage space is the enemy.

Aluminium roll-up and slat tables (around 120 x 60 cm)

The most popular everyday choice. The aluminium top splits into slats that roll or fold down into a long, thin bundle, and the frame springs open in about 30 seconds. Aluminium will not rust and keeps the weight down, which suits the coast and the outback alike. A 120 cm top comfortably seats four for a meal and doubles as a prep bench. Weight ratings around 50 kg cover normal camp use. This is the size most solo travellers, couples and small families reach for first.

Fold-in-half tables (around 120 x 60 cm)

The classic family all-rounder. A solid top folds down the centre like a briefcase, the legs tuck inside, and a carry handle makes it easy to move. Because the top is one solid sheet rather than slats, it is a steadier surface for a stove or a card game. Steel-framed versions carry heavy loads, often 100 kg to 200 kg, while aluminium versions shave off a few kilograms. Most offer two heights so the same table works for dining and for standing prep.

Large fold-in-half tables (around 180 x 75 cm)

When you are feeding six to eight people, step up to a 180 cm top. These fold in half to roughly 90 cm for transport and still fit across the back of most wagons and camper trailers. Expect a heavier table, often 8 kg or more, and a sturdy steel frame rated to 250 kg. This is the group-campsite and extended-family option, and it is worth checking your packed length before you buy.

Bamboo adjustable tables (around 120 x 60 cm)

Bamboo tops have become the premium pick for van and camper owners who want a bench that looks the part and shrugs off heat from pots and pans. They usually bi-fold, offer three locking heights and seat four to six. You pay more than for a basic aluminium table, and they are a touch heavier, but the solid, food-safe surface and finish are the draw. A strong choice as a main dining table or camp-kitchen bench.

Camp kitchen tables and tables with storage (around 120 cm)

If cooking is the focus, look at tables built around the kitchen. Some add a zip-up fabric cupboard beneath a 120 x 60 cm top for pots and food. Others are full stands at bench height, around 80 cm, with an aluminium slat top, a removable windshield for your stove, side shelves and sometimes a built-in sink. They are the largest and heaviest option to pack, but they turn a patch of dirt into a proper outdoor kitchen.

How to choose the right size camping table

With the sizes mapped out, five quick questions point you to the right one:

• How many people? Allow roughly 60 cm of table width per person for comfortable dining. Two people are happy with a 60 to 90 cm top, four want 120 cm, and six or more need 180 cm.
• How much storage space? Measure the gap in your boot, van locker or camper trailer before you shop. Packed length is the number that catches people out, especially with roll-up and large fold-in-half tables.
• What height suits you? If you cook standing up, prioritise a table with an 80 cm bench setting. For dining only, 70 cm is the sweet spot.
• How much weight will it hold? A stove, a full pot and a slab of drinks add up fast. Check the load rating, and favour steel frames if you want a heavy-duty prep surface.
• Which material? Aluminium is light and rust-free, steel is stronger but heavier, and bamboo gives you a solid, heat-resistant premium top. Pick for the job you do most.

Frequently asked questions