Camp Toilet + Shower Options — Practical Setup Guide

The toilet + shower setup separates "comfortable camp" from "rough trip the kids didn't enjoy." Modern portable options mean you can have proper hot water + privacy almost anywhere — no toilet block dependency, no smelly long-drops.

Here's the practical guide to camp toilet + shower options — chemical toilets, ensuites, instant gas hot water, solar showers, 12V pumps + the gear that makes it all comfortable.

Photo by Cristofer Maximilian on Unsplash

Plastic dual-tank toilets used by 4WDers, boaters + campers in areas without facilities. The standard portable solution.

Choosing one:

• Use case: in a boat, caravan, mobile home, OR for camping (away from the carrying vehicle)?
• Dimensions of the space it needs to fit (boat/caravan)
• Time between waste disposal — affects which chemical you'll use

How they work:

• Two stacked plastic tanks: top (clean rinse water) + bottom (waste storage)
• Top tank chemical: Aquakem Rinse (pink) — odour control + rinse efficiency
• Bottom tank chemical: Aquakem Green (most environmentally friendly, ~4 days containment) OR Aquakem Blue (more concentrated, ~10 days)
• Bellows pump flushes water from top to bowl
• Sliding seal opens between top + bottom for use; closes when not in use

Emptying:

1. Separate top + bottom tanks (ensure inter-tank valve is closed)
2. Carry bottom tank to a proper disposal point (dump points at most caravan parks, NPs, fuel stations)
3. Unscrew pouring spout cap, empty contents
4. Rinse with tap water, drain, rinse again
5. Recharge with chemical + small amount of water through the spout
6. Replace cap, re-attach to top tank

Don't dump anywhere except a designated dump point. Heavy fines + environmental impact.

Privacy tents for toilet, shower or change room use. Available as:

• Single ensuite — one room (toilet OR shower)
• Double ensuite — two rooms (toilet AND shower separately)
• Pop-up units — quick + easy erection (preferred by most modern campers)
• Pole-supported units — sturdier in wind, slower setup

Pop-up ensuites are the modern standard — pull from bag, snap open, stake down, ready in 60 seconds. Brands: Coleman, OZtent, Black Wolf, Wanderer.

Photo: Cate Bligh / Unsplash

Multi-purpose camping accessory — interlocking foam tiles that clip together. Soft underfoot, easily configurable.

• Ensuite floor — keeps feet off cold/wet ground
• Tent annexe floor — defines the indoor/outdoor area
• Gazebo floor — comfortable underfoot
• Padding under iceboxes — insulates from hot ground (improves ice retention)
• Load protection — between gear in vehicle/boat to prevent rubbing damage
• Available in multiple colours

Most popular modern shower solution. Compact units that produce hot water within seconds:

• Coleman Hot Water On Demand (HWOD) — folds away neat, gas-fired
• Joolca HOTTAP — popular Aussie brand, premium build
• Bushman / Companion equivalents

Features to look for:

• Temperature control (warm shower OR boiling for dishes/cuppa)
• Shower rose attachment
• Built-in pump (sits in any water container or stream)
• LP gas powered (Coleman disposable bottles OR connect to 4.5/9kg gas bottle for economy)
• Pumps water directly from container or clean creek

Photo: mohamad azaam / Unsplash

Sun-powered, no moving parts, $30. Thick black plastic bag holds 15-20L water. Sit in the sun all day, by evening you've got hot water for a shower.

• Hang from a tree branch or shower stand
• Use BEFORE sunset — water cools fast once the sun goes down
• Inexpensive + packs small — perfect for budget or space-constrained setups
• Adequate for one-or-two-person quick washes
• Most reliable on hot sunny days — useless on cool overcast trips

Pumps water from a container through a shower rose. Doesn't heat the water itself — heat separately + add to a large container.

• Stand in a tuff tub + reuse the water — particularly popular with families + children
• 12V power from cig socket OR auxiliary battery
• Cheaper than gas units but require a separate hot water source
• Can heat water in a large pot on the stove + add cold to taste

Free-standing unit that fits inside an ensuite. Holds a shower rose OR solar shower bag at proper height. Foam matting on the base = stable + comfortable underfoot.

Add a $30 stand to any of the shower options + the camp shower experience improves significantly. Worth the small investment.

The camp toilet + shower setup is the difference between roughing it + comfortable camping. A portable chemical toilet + ensuite tent + gas instant hot water gives you near-home convenience anywhere, anytime.

Budget setup ($150-300): solar shower bag + ensuite + bucket toilet. Mid-range ($500-800): chemical toilet + ensuite + 12V pump shower. Premium ($1000+): chemical toilet + double ensuite + Joolca HOTTAP gas hot water + shower stand. Pick your level.