Aussies going wild for $10 camping shower

It’s the item that changed the way one woman travelled. And at just $10, it should be part of everyone’s suitcase.

As Australia’s van life revolution continues to throw up dust in our faces (and taunting with, “look at me, I’m not at work” bikini-clad posts on our Instagram feeds), The Great Unwashed have finally come to realise one thing: many of Australia’s prettiest beaches don’t have showers.

There is a solution, however.

Enter: the solar shower.

Rather than the usual DIY rigmarole of installing a PVC pipe, painting it black, and fiddling around with a hose bibs and end caps – rather even than dating a tradie – there is another way to ensure you get a nice warm shower after your dip in the ocean.

The portable camp shower.

Aussies are going wild for this $10 item.

Aussies are going wild for this $10 item.

This epic accessory is slowly but surely taking over the rooftops of cars and vans all over Australia.

It’s also blowing up on TikTok.

The way it works is simple. You strap it to the roof of your car (while full of water), allow the roasting El Niño summer sun to heat it up all day, enjoy your secret swimming hole or magnificent fairy pool swim, return to your car, and enjoy 30 seconds (or however long your conscience permits you to waste water) of bliss.

@amber.moran We got 4 nights of HOT showers for 2 of us! Could also use bore water and not contaminate main tank 👏🏼 #4wd #offroad #travelhacks #camping #roadtrip #remotetravel #australia #setup ♬ Roses (feat. ROZES) (Sped Up Version) - The Chainsmokers

They’re also great for washing up when you’re staying in a campsite with no running water.

The Kmart solar shower is cheap, readily available to buy anywhere (if you live near a Kmart) and great value at just $10, it’s hard to go past this option, whether you are a beginner camper or have been doing it for years. The only consideration is if you are going off-grid for extended periods of time, you can probably fit more water in a PVC pipe set up. Also, it’s not a camping brand, so it’s not the best quality option out there (for its price it is great though).

This article originally appeared on Escape and has been republished with permission