The Complete Marquee Buying Guide (Australia)
When buying a marquee, check floor area against your guest count (about 0.6m² per standing guest or 1.5m² per diner), then the cover, frame, included walls and delivery to your state. At Brisbane Marquee Sales, a 9x3m (27m², $349) holds about 45 standing or 18 at dinner, every size on sale includes walls, covers are PE (water resistant on every size), and the 10x5m is the one aluminium frame. Delivery is free to most of Australia, dispatched in about 2 business days (the 6x6m, 8x4m, 12x6m and 12x7m are pre-orders, shipping end of November 2026).
This marquee buying guide is the one we wish existed when we started, a plain-English rundown of what actually matters when you buy a marquee, so you choose the right one once and use it for years. We'll cover cover materials (PE vs PVC), frame metals (steel vs aluminium), real rain protection, sizing for your guest count, and the small details that separate a marquee you love from one you regret. No jargon, just what to look for.
Cover material: PE vs PVC
The cover is what keeps weather off your guests, so it's the first thing to get right.
- PE (polyethylene), light, affordable, and surprisingly tough for the price. Modern PE covers are woven and laminated, water resistant and easy to handle solo. Ideal for backyard parties, markets and pop-up use where you put it up and take it down often.
- PVC (vinyl-coated polyester), heavier, tougher, and the choice for weddings, long events and anything where the look and the seal really count. It blocks more sun, lasts longer in harsh AU UV, and wipes clean.
Whichever you pick, check the GSM (weight per square metre), higher GSM means a thicker, more durable cover, and make sure it's UV-stabilised and fire-retardant, which matters a lot under the Australian sun.
Frame: steel vs aluminium
The frame is the skeleton. Get this wrong and the whole thing sags, rusts or blows over.
| Frame | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Powder-coated steel | Strength and value, bigger spans, windier sites, frequent use | Heavier to move; needs the coating intact to resist rust |
| Aluminium | Lightweight setup, won't rust, lighter to handle | Costs more for the same strength |
What to look for either way: wider tube diameter and thicker walls (the real strength number, not just "steel" on the box), locking leg height adjustment, and joints that feel solid rather than rattly. A heavier frame is usually a sturdier frame.
Rain protection (and wind): what actually keeps you dry
Rain claims get thrown around loosely. Here's the honest version:
- Sealed seams beat the fabric rating, water finds the stitching first, so heat-welded or taped seams matter most.
- Roof pitch sheds rain. A flat roof pools water; a peaked roof runs it off.
- Tie-down points and pegs are non-negotiable. Even a great marquee lifts in a gust if it isn't anchored, so check it comes with guy ropes and pegs and add proper leg weights for hard surfaces.
- Side walls turn a roof-only shelter into a real room when the weather turns. Worth having even if you don't always fit them.
Sizing: match the marquee to your guest count
Allow roughly 0.6m² per standing guest, 0.9m² seated in rows, and 1.5m² for seated dining, then add about 25% if you want a dance floor, bar or buffet. Here's how our range maps out:
| Marquee | Area | Standing | Seated (rows) | Dining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3x3m Marquee ($199) | 9m² | up to 10 | up to 8 | ~8 |
| 6x3m Marquee | 18m² | ~30 | ~20 | ~12 |
| 9x3m Marquee | 27m² | ~45 | ~30 | ~18 |
| 8x4m Wedding & Party Marquee | 32m² | ~50 | ~35 | ~20 |
| 10x5m Wedding Marquee | 50m² | ~80 | ~55 | ~33 |
| 12x7m Grand Marquee | 84m² | ~140 | ~95 | ~56 |
The compact 6x3m is the backyard-party sweet spot, the 9x3m and 8x4m suit markets and bigger gatherings, and the 10x5m is built for weddings and sit-down dinners, with the 12x6m grand marquee (72m²) and the 12x7m (84m², our biggest) for large weddings and events. Not sure which fits? Run your numbers through the marquee size calculator.
The quick "what to look for" checklist
- Cover: PE for light/frequent use, PVC for heavier, longer-term use, check GSM and UV rating.
- Frame: thicker tube walls and solid joints; aluminium for weight, steel for strength.
- Rain protection: sealed seams, a peaked roof, and proper anchoring.
- Size: pick for your worst-weather scenario (everyone under cover), not just a sunny day.
- Extras: side walls and good weights make any marquee far more usable.
Ready to choose? Browse the full range of marquees for sale or shop all marquees, or call 07 3106 8866 or email support@brisbanemarqueesales.com.au and we'll point you to the right size. The 3x3m marquee is $199. Every marquee ships with free delivery to most of Australia, dispatched in ~2 days, and you own it outright, so it's ready for the next event too.
