About Darche

“We didn't set out to change the world, or even the landscape of camping in Australia, we just needed some camping gear that suited our lifestyle, so we designed it ourselves… as it turns out - it suited the Australian lifestyle too!” - 

Darren O’Dwyer
Darche Founder and designer of the original dome swag.
2021.

Established in 1991, DARCHE® has become one of the best-known - and loved - Australian camping and outdoor adventure brands. Today DARCHE® enjoys an iconic Australian status in the camping and 4x4 touring market, but it was from humble beginnings that this brand was conceived. 

Born of necessity - as many great things are - Darren O’Dwyer, saw a hole in the Australian outdoor market. While he loved nothing more than hitting the road with an old fashioned rollout swag, he found his sleeping arrangements were not all that appealing to others, namely his wife, Cheryl. 

While planning a road trip along the east coast, Cheryl declared there was no way she was sleeping in one of those things - the bugs will get in!

Avid campers, the O’Dwyers knew a thing or two about the conditions their swag design would have to endure on their adventure, so with help from his brother Dave, Darren set out to design a shelter that suited the rugged, Australian landscape… and the wildlife that inhabits it.

It had to be tough but comfortable, waterproof yet breathable, quick, practical and easy to stow. It had to provide a fully enclosed shelter with enough space around the skin to protect from bugs and mozzies, and it had to be completely zip sealed to keep the critters and creepy crawlies out - no easy task. Together, the O’Dwyer’s created a canvas shell with zippered doors and windows, and of course - a flexible fibreglass pole, designing Australia’s first dome swag. It was a talking point at many camping spots throughout their journey along the east coast, and remains an icon of the Australian camping scene today.

With a passion for outdoor adventure, It was a natural progression from the original dome swag to an impressive range of roof top tents and awnings. Superior canvas quality being the foundation of long lasting, rugged outdoor gear. 

“It was about quality. We built them to last! And they did. 30 years on and we still see a few original DARCHE swags out in the wild - it’s a great feeling to know you’ve changed the way people camp today”

Three decades on and DARCHE® continues to lead the outdoor space with innovative designs, superior quality materials and commitment to our heritage. We offer a full range of products for serious tourers and campers alike. Still firmly committed to the swag market, our range extends to awnings and roof top tents, furniture, sleeping gear and a range of accessories to suit the 4x4 touring and camping environment, tried and tested by people who live and breathe everything outdoors. 

To ensure that DARCHE® remains one of the most respected outdoor brands globally, we live by the philosophy of innovation and quality, refining and developing new materials, designs and technologies that will service the next generation of outdoor adventurers and protect the environment that they love to explore. 

In 2013 DARCHE® introduced the Air-Volution™ range of swags and tents with patented technology that drastically reduces setup and packdown time without compromising on quality and comfort. 

Today, DARCHE® is proudly owned by the Charles Parsons Group who bring over 100 years of textile experience, product development and strategy to compliment DARCHE®’s extensive outdoor expertise. 

DARCHE®. OUTDOOR GEAR - FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE. SINCE 1991.

TECHNOLOGY
Darche has re-inflated the patented Air-Volution™ tent and pumped it up with even more innovation and world-class technology. The AT-4 and AT-6 as you know it will once again revolutionise the way you camp.

AIR-VOLUTION™ SWAGS
Darche bring with the Air-Volution™ technology, replacing traditional swag poles with easy fast set up air poles. The first of its kind in Australia, the Air-Volution™ dome swag has been engineered and tested in Australia for local conditions, and continues Darche's tradition of being the innovation leader. The Air-Volution™ is simple to set up and take down, with the air pole connected to the swag and only one inflation point. No more lost, broken or poles left behind, and you can now get on with what matters when outdoors!

AIR-VOLUTION™ TENTS
Extremely durable and practical with spacious internal areas, the Air-Volution™ technology replaces traditional tent poles with fast set up air poles that can be inflated in minutes. Numerous features are specifically engineered to suit Australian conditions, with the ridge air pole design providing excellent stability. Gone are the days where families are left spending too much of their touring and camping time reading instructions and pinching themselves on fiberglass or metal poles. The Air-Volution™ tent eliminates lost, broken or forgotten poles and issues related to broken or jammed quick set-up frames!

ENGINEERED FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS
In 2016, the Air-Volution™ AT-6 was tested under ground-breaking winds. Great forces were applied to all integral structural elements, including major A&B seams. Full recovery and no structural damage was recorded at 3.5 minutes of constant wind suspended at 69kph.

New improved fly fully covers the air poles and the main body of the tent increasing protection from the elements as well as improving The Air-Volution’s insulating properties. Structural integrity has been improved with stronger pole mechanisms. The shape of the air poles have changed providing a spacious feel with the near vertical side walls. The angled rear pole provides increased stability. The ability to attach optional side walls to the awning, extending the overall sheltered area and creating more usable space.

With these advancements, the new version of The Air-Volution ensures superior protection, enhanced comfort, and increased usability for a truly remarkable outdoor experience.

The DARCHE ® ECO Series marks the start of our journey to a sustainable future.

Your favourite DARCHE ® ECO products have been upgraded with the latest eco-friendly and recycled materials for the DARCHE® ECO Series. We’ve also developed a range of new products made with sustainable timbers and recyclable materials.

The DARCHE ® ECO series features low-impact, eco - friendly materials, including recycled polyester bought from mills certified by Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and sustainably sourced bamboo and German beech wood.

Using recycled materials prevents plastic bottles from ending up in landfills or the ocean and gives them a new life as durable DARCHE® ECO gear.

The DARCHE ® ECO series extends our already impressive warranty, backed by our in-house warranty team that will repair and return damaged gear instead of just replacing and throwing items away.

After three decades of offroad camping adventures and 4x4 touring we've started a family - the DARCHE ® KOZI ® series!

The KOZI ® series brings our iconic brand of DARCHE ® innovation and high quality outdoor gear to family camping.

Inspired by the Australian landscape and our tallest mountain - Mount Kosciuszko - The DARCHE ® KOZI ® series is accessible, affordable and functional outdoor camping gear that will suit families of all sizes and camping experience.

Explore the impressive range of DARCHE ® KOZI ® Series roof top tents, tents, shelters, swags, bedding, furniture and awnings!