If you camp in the bush for any length of time the most important requirement is water. Whilst many remote areas are well supplied with more than adequate fresh water the Australian outback is mostly desert country and water of any sort is always a scarce commodity.

When hunting water is always carried for both for personal consumption and emergency use, usually but not always a top up supply is available out of the rainwater tanks on the property. We always check with the ranch owner before departure. Most ground water is unsuitable for drinking on the flat plain country.

In 30 degree C plus temperatures nothing is more refreshing than a cool shower to wash off the dust of the day. Many years ago we constructed a portable shower that is very effective and provides minimum water use.

Obtain a 12 volt 500 GPH bilge pump from your local marine dealer: attach a suitable length of clear plastic pipe with a plastic shower rose on the other end. The power leads are connected to either a cigarette lighter socket or a pair of alligator clips to allow attachment directly onto a vehicle battery. Insert the pump into a suitable bucket and add water. Ours is an up market model with a power switch on the vertical board that holds everything in place.

The whole rig is usually placed on the rear of a pickup, if you want to keep your feet out of the mud make a duck board out of scrap lumber.

In cooler climates or where there is ample water available the shower still has its uses. Water heated over the camp fire and added to the bucket can provide a warm/hot shower for the camper’s convenience. Simple and very effective.

By Matthew Cameron,