Tent platforms make camping in a National Park easier, but they come with one problem: you can't drive pegs into a wooden deck. Tent deck anchors solve it, and they weigh next to nothing in your pack.

This guide explains what tent deck anchors are, when you'll want them, how to pitch a tent on a platform and where they can fall short. Product details come from our product page, and park details come from Parks Tasmania and Parks Victoria.

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The short answer: do you need tent deck anchors?

• You can't peg a timber deck: if you're pitching on a tent platform, you need another way to secure your tent.
• Our anchors suit both tent types: they work with freestanding and trekking pole style tents.
• Check the gaps: fishbone anchors slide between the boards, so tight spacing can be a problem.
• Check what the campground provides: some platforms have anchor points already, and some don't. Read the park information before you go.

What are tent deck anchors?

Tent deck anchors are small, flat anchors that you use in place of pegs on a timber tent platform. Our PAST Outdoors Originals Alloy Tent Deck Anchors are fishbone style, which means they're a simple, ultralight design without springs or moving parts. You tie your tent's guy lines to them, and they hold the line to the deck.

• Alloy construction keeps the weight low.
• A simple design with no springs or moving parts to fail.
• Suitable for both freestanding and trekking pole style tents.
• Sold in a pack of six for $19.90.

When to use tent deck anchors: the Overland Track and the Grampians Peaks Trail

Our anchors are made for pitching on decks in National Parks such as the Overland Track in Tasmania and the Grampians Peaks Trail in Gariwerd, Victoria.

Overland Track

Parks Tasmania says Overland Track walkers can stay in the huts, camp on the independent walker tent platforms, or do a mix of both. You must carry a tent either way, as a backup if you can't reach the next hut or the huts are full. If you're camping on a platform, anchors give you a way to secure it.

Grampians Peaks Trail

Parks Victoria says the hike-in campgrounds have either timber tent platforms or granite sand pads. The timber platforms have steel chains for securing your tent, and you may need an extra guy rope for vestibules or tunnel style tents. Parks Victoria also suggests bringing cord to attach your tent to the platforms.

That means the chains may already cover the basics, and deck anchors add extra secure points where you want them. Check the park's current guide for the campground you're booked into, because facilities can change.

How to pitch a tent on a platform with deck anchors

1. Lay out your tent and work out where its guy lines and corners need to be secured.
2. Slide an anchor into a gap between the deck boards, so the wide ends catch on either side.
3. Tie your guy line to the anchor, then tension it.
4. Repeat for each corner and guy point, and check the tent is tight before you leave it.
5. Pack the anchors away at the end, and check you haven't left any between the boards.

Our product page doesn't give a step-by-step guide, so this is the general technique for fishbone style anchors. Practise at home before your trip, so you aren't learning it in the wind.

Where deck anchors can fall short

• Board spacing: fishbone anchors slide into the gaps. If the gaps are very tight, you may need to tie off to a different spot with cord.
• Tent design: guy-out systems vary, so you may need some extra cord to make your tent work.
• Loose anchors: small anchors are easy to drop between boards, so keep them together and count them out and back in.
• Not a replacement for the park rules: check what's allowed on the platforms before you go, because rules can change.

If you're new to camping, our guides to hiking for beginners and which Mont Moondance tent is right for you are a good place to start.

What customers say

Our deck anchors are rated 5 out of 5 from 4 reviews on our store. One customer called them "a great option for wooden platforms" that give "plenty of secure points in super high winds". It's a small number of reviews, so see the product page for all of them.

Our pick: PAST Outdoors Originals Alloy Tent Deck Anchors

Alloy tent deck anchors for pitching your tent on a deck in National Parks such as the Overland Track and the Grampians Peaks Trail in Gariwerd. They're a fishbone style, with no springs or moving parts, and they work with both freestanding and trekking pole style tents. They come in a pack of six.

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More gear for camping in the national parks

• Browse our hiking tents and full tent range.
• Pick up cord and other bits in stakes, footprints, cordage and shelter accessories.
• Read why we love DuPont Tyvek ground sheets.
• Plan your trip with communications planning when heading into the outdoors.

Keep reading

• Hiking for beginners: your guide to getting started
• Our cold weather camping tips: tents, sleeping mats and clothing
• Communications planning when heading into the outdoors, part 1

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Talk it through in store

Gear is personal, and what suits one trip won't suit another. Come into our Helensburgh store and our team can talk through your next walk. We're at 10/177 Princes Highway, Helensburgh NSW 2508, open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

Contact the storeCall (02) 4294 2810

Why shop with us at PAST Outdoors

We're a family-owned and operated Australian outdoor retailer based in Helensburgh, NSW. We only stock gear we trust, and we're trusted suppliers for emergency services, government, military and outdoor education groups.

We'd rather help you pick the right product than rush a sale, so ask us if you're unsure. Come in and see us, or shop online at pastoutdoors.com.