Water is life on the road. Your caravan carries its own supply, pumps it to your taps, heats it for showers, and manages the waste. When you’re at a caravan park with mains water, the system works like home. When you’re free camping, your onboard tanks are all you’ve got, and managing them wisely is the difference between a comfortable stay and cutting your camp short to find a refill.


Filling a caravan's water tank at a fill point, showing the external water inlet

Know where your fill point is, how large your tank is, and where to find water refill stations across Australia.

How Your Water System Works

Fresh water enters your caravan one of two ways: from your onboard tanks (filled via an external inlet) or from a mains water connection at a powered site. Water is delivered to your taps by a 12V electric pump (when using tanks) or by mains pressure (when connected). Hot water comes from a separate hot water system that heats stored or instant water using gas, electric, diesel, or a combination.

Used water from sinks and the shower drains into a grey water tank or onto the ground (depending on the camp’s rules and your setup). Toilet waste goes into a separate cassette or black water tank.

Fresh Water Tanks

Most caravans have a single fresh water tank of 80 to 200 litres. Some have two tanks that can be used independently. Tank size determines how long you can camp without a refill. As a rough guide: a couple using water conservatively (short showers, washing dishes in a basin) can stretch 100 litres to 3 to 4 days. A family of four needs 150 to 200 litres for the same period.

Tanks are usually made of food-grade polyethylene (plastic) and mounted under the van. They’re tough but can crack if the van bottoms out on rough tracks. Protect them if you’re going off-road.

Water Sources

Caravan parks: Most powered sites have a tap for filling tanks and some have mains water connection to run through the van directly.

Town water: Many towns across Australia have free water fill-up points for travellers. WikiCamps and other apps list these. Always check water quality before filling from an unfamiliar source.

National park and campground taps: Quality varies. Some are bore water (safe but may taste different), some are rainwater (usually fine), and some are marked non-potable (not safe for drinking without treatment).

Water filtration: A quality water filter gives you confidence to fill from a wider range of sources. Carbon filters remove taste and odour; more advanced filters (0.2 micron or better) remove bacteria. The Camec Inline Carbon Filter ($30 to $50) is the most popular basic option that screws inline to your fill hose. For more serious filtration, the Doulton Rio 2000 ($150 to $250) and the Puretec Caravan Kit ($200 to $300) offer multi-stage filtration that handles bore water and questionable sources. A good filter pays for itself in confidence alone.

📚 Water System Guides
📚 Water Gear Buyers Guides
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Key Takeaway
  • Know your tank size and your daily water consumption. A couple uses roughly 25 to 35 litres per day with conservative use.
  • Water refill points are available across Australia. WikiCamps lists them. Always check quality before filling.
  • A water filter lets you fill from a wider range of sources with confidence.
  • Grey water and black water require separate management. Know your system and local disposal rules.