Quick Answer
Comparing Austral vs Hills fold down clotheslines? The Clothesline Store's number one pick is Air Dry, 100% Aussie made with Aussie steel. Choose from a wide range of ready made sizes, or made to order for the perfect fit.
When choosing a fold down clothesline, most Australians start by comparing Austral and Hills. Both have well-known ranges, but each comes in a limited number of fixed sizes. Air Dry gives you far more choice, with a wide range of ready made sizes and a made to order option built to your exact width when no standard size fits your space. This guide compares all three on sizes, line space, frames and mounting so you can choose the right fold down clothesline for your wall, courtyard or side path.
Why Air Dry Is Our Number One Fold Down Clothesline
Air Dry fold down clotheslines are Australian made from 100% Australian steel, with more size options than any other fold down range we stock. They mount on a wall, in the ground or on concrete with a base plate kit, and fold flat when not in use.
Air Dry Fold Down Clothesline Ready Made comes in 3 widths of 1.8m, 2.4m and 3.0m and 4 depths, so there's a size to suit laundries, balconies, the side of the house and small to large families. It's pre-manufactured, stocked locally and dispatched the same or next business day, so you get a close fit for your space without the wait.
Air Dry Fold Down Clothesline Made to Order: choose your width, choose your depth, choose your colour. The Air Dry fold down can be built to your exact width, to the nearest 5mm, up to 3.3m. Simply select the next width up, for example 3.0m for a 2.85m clothesline, then enter your exact width measurement at checkout.
Sizes to Fit Your Space
A fold down clothesline works best when it fits your wall and yard properly, not just close enough. Start by measuring the wall width you have available and how far the frame can extend when open. Then check the Air Dry Ready Made range, which covers most walls from compact side passages to wide family backyards. If none of the ready made sizes suit, Air Dry Made to Order is built to your exact width, to the nearest 5mm, so you never have to settle for a clothesline that's too narrow, too wide or too small for your washing.
Austral Fold Down Clotheslines
Austral offers six fixed fold down models: the Compact, Standard, Long, Add-A-Line, Indoor/Outdoor and Balcony. Frames use Galvabond steel, lines are UV-stabilised polycord, line spacing ranges from 65mm up to 130mm, and most models can be ground mounted. They come in full and half frame sizes.
Hills Folding Frame Clotheslines
Hills offers five fixed fold down models: the Double, Long, Mini, Compact and Standard. They have powder-coated frames in a range of neutral colours. The Hills Everyday range suits budget-conscious households, while the premium range adds modern design and upgraded materials.
Air Dry Fold Down Clotheslines Benefits
Sizes: Air Dry offers the widest choice, with 12 ready made sizes, made to order widths cut to the nearest 5mm up to 3.3m, five depths from 0.6m to 1.5m and Twin Fold models. Austral offers six fixed fold down models, and Hills offers five.
Line space: Air Dry gives 6 to 15 lines on single frames, with more on Twin Fold models. Many of the larger sizes provide more hanging space than a Hills rotary clothesline.
Materials: Air Dry is 100% Australian made from 100% Australian steel.
Colours: Air Dry Made to Order has 11 colour options and Ready Made has 3.
Installation methods: Air Dry fold down clotheslines can be wall mounted, all models can be ground mounted, and they can also be fixed to concrete with a base plate kit.
Installing a Fold Down Clothesline
Fold down clotheslines mount on brick or masonry walls, on ground mount legs in soil, or on concrete with a base plate kit. On weatherboard, install structural timber support first. Never mount a clothesline on a fence. See our Air Dry installation guides, or use our professional installation service for peace of mind.
Related Guides from The Clothesline Store
Find out what's hot in the market like the top selling drying racks and why they are loved in Australia, and view the best Australian made fold down clothesline.
FAQs: Austral vs Hills Fold Down Clotheslines
Which is better, Austral or Hills fold down clotheslines?
Both have well-known ranges, but The Clothesline Store's number one fold down pick is Air Dry, Australian made from 100% Australian steel with far more size options.
What is the difference between Air Dry Made to Order and Ready Made?
Ready Made comes in 12 sizes and 3 colours and dispatches the same or next business day. Made to Order is built to your exact width, to the nearest 5mm, in five depths and 11 colours, with Low Line compatibility.
What if a standard fold down clothesline won't fit my space?
Choose Air Dry Made to Order. Select the next width up, for example 3.0m for a 2.85m wall, then enter your exact width at checkout for the perfect fit.
What fold down models do Austral and Hills offer?
Austral offers the Compact, Standard, Long, Add-A-Line, Indoor/Outdoor and Balcony. Hills offers the Double, Long, Mini, Compact and Standard.
Can fold down clotheslines be ground mounted?
Yes. Most Austral and Hills models can be ground mounted, and every Air Dry model can be ground mounted or fixed to concrete with a base plate kit.
How long does an Air Dry Made to Order clothesline take?
Allow 5 to 10 business days for manufacturing before dispatch.
Where can I buy Air Dry, Austral and Hills fold down clotheslines?
Online from The Clothesline Store, Australia's largest private clothesline stockist since 2003, with a 4.9 out of 5 star customer rating.
Final Thoughts
Austral and Hills both offer solid fold down options in a handful of fixed sizes. For a clothesline that truly fits your space, Air Dry is the fold down we recommend first, with a wide range of ready made sizes or made to order to your exact width, all in an Australian made frame.
Shipped Direct From Our Warehouse
As Australia's largest private stockholder of clotheslines and accessories, The Clothesline Store ships in-stock items the same or next business day from our own national warehouse, with a 4.9 out of 5 star customer rating.
Protect Your Washing with ClevaCover
A ClevaCover clothesline cover gives your washing high UV protection while it dries, and shelters it from overhead rain, bird droppings and falling leaves, so you can hang your washing out and leave it with confidence.
ClevaCover for fold down clotheslines. This clothesline cover fits Air Dry, Hills Folding Frame, Austral, Eco, Daytek and other fold down brands, mounted on a wall or ground mount legs.
Folding Rotary Clothesline Covers. ClevaCover Fits Hills, Austral and Daytek folding rotary clotheslines, and the cover stays on when you fold the head down.
ClevaCover for fixed head rotary clotheslines. This clothesline cover fits Hills Hoist and Austral fixed head rotary clotheslines, giving shade across the whole hanging area.
