Glamping Domes: Sizes, Uses and What to Consider

A glamping dome is a geodesic frame with a tensioned outer cover, a large clear panoramic section and enough room inside for a proper bed, a lounge corner and sometimes a bathroom. For most glamping sites a 6m to 8m dome is the sweet spot. Our Geo Domes come in standard sizes from 5m (20 sqm) at $14,490 to 10m (80 sqm) at $26,490, AUD ex GST, and larger domes can be made on request.

Why domes work for glamping

Guests book a dome for the view. About a third of each Geo Dome is clear panoramic panelling, so the bed can face a valley, a dam or the night sky. Getting that from a cabin means paying for a lot of glass.

The shape earns its keep too. A geodesic frame shares load across every strut, which is why the design took off in the mid-1900s. Our frames are hot-dip galvanised steel and have stood up to winds of around 120 km/h (not an official rating). That counts on an exposed ridge, which is often exactly where the best view is.

They also go up quickly. The frame bolts together, the cover goes on and gets tensioned, and once the deck is ready the dome itself is a matter of days.

Glamping dome sizes and what each one fits

A few things we've learned from helping people plan these:

• The bed takes more room than you think. In a round space the walls lean in, so furniture sits a bit further from the edge than in a square room. A 5m is lovely for two, but it's snug once you add a bench and a heater.
• Ensuites change the maths. If the bathroom goes inside, jump up a size. Plenty of operators keep the 6m and put a separate bathroom pod or outdoor shower beside it instead.
• One big dome can do a lot. On a site with several sleeping units, a 9m or 10m makes a great shared kitchen, dining or yoga space.

For a real example, see how one client set up a 6m Geo Dome glamping business in Victoria.

What comes with our Geo Domes

Every Geo Dome kit includes:

• A durable, waterproof and UV resistant outer cover in your choice of colour, now available in a matte finish. It's a heavy 900 GSM double-coated PVC, built to last around 7 years before it needs replacing.
• A hot-dip galvanised steel frame in black or white.
• Insulation as standard: two layers of reflective air cell sit behind a canvas inner lining, which keeps guests comfortable in both heat and cold.
• A double glazed front door with frosted glass and an aluminium frame.
• The removable panoramic section. Clear PVC can discolour after a few years, so we designed it to come out on its own. You replace that section, not the whole cover.
• Two opening porthole windows with insect screens.
• A solar ventilation fan that draws hot air out without needing mains power.
• Tailored curtains for the panoramic window.
• A standard key lock or a smart keypad lock, so guests can check in without you being there.
• The cover tensioning system, plus hardware and fixings to secure the dome to its base.

Want the whole front in glass? The double glazed glass front upgrade is $1,490 on a 5m, $1,690 on a 6m, $1,990 on a 7m, $2,490 on an 8m, $2,990 on a 9m and $3,990 on a 10m (AUD ex GST). Extra windows and solar vents can be added as well.

If something goes wrong with the steelwork or the cover because of how it was made, you're backed for three years under our warranty.

What to sort out before you order

The base

The kit doesn't include a base, and most of our clients build a timber deck, so read our platform guide before you start and ask us for deck plans.

Heating and cooling

Insulation comes standard, and the solar fan moves hot air out on warm days. In a hot spot, think about shade on the panoramic side and where the afternoon sun lands. In cold country, a small wood heater or a reverse-cycle split works well. Talk to us about flue options before you cut anything.

Power, water and bathrooms

Decide early whether the dome is off-grid or connected, and whether the bathroom is inside or out. These choices affect the size you need and where the deck goes.

Your local council

Have a chat with us before you order. We can share what's worked for other glamping operators and the product specs your council may ask for.

Shipping

Shipping to Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane or Darwin is included in the price. Delivery from the port to your site is quoted separately, or you can collect from the port warehouse with a suitable trailer. Tasmanian orders come through Melbourne.

Geo Dome or yurt for glamping?

Both make great glamping stays, and plenty of sites run a mix. In plain terms:

• Pick a dome if the view is the hero. The panoramic section is hard to beat for stargazing and sunrise.
• Pick a yurt if you want more privacy, a cosier feel and walls that suit a bedroom layout. Our ORON yurts have a large clear skylight in the roof ring and a heavy timber frame that guests love.

Still weighing it up? Our glamping tents comparison puts bell tents, safari tents, yurts and domes side by side, and the geodesic dome buyer's guide goes deeper on domes. If you're setting up a business from scratch, start with how to start a glamping business in Australia. Thinking of living in one yourself? Read what living full time in a dome is like.

What our clients say

Alex White in Melbourne came to us after a lot of research, having built a yurt some years earlier:

"He had high quality deck plans, was happy to answer all my in depth questions and eager to assist in planning."

That's how we like to work. Most glamping projects start with a phone call about the site, the guests and the budget, and the right size usually falls out of that conversation.

Ready to plan your glamping dome?

Have a look at the Geo Dome sizes and inclusions, grab our free Ultimate Buyer's Guide, or call us on +61 489 269 088. Tell us about your site and how you want guests to use the space, and we'll help you pick the right size and sort the deck plans.