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Planning a Big Lap around Australia is exciting.

New places.
New experiences.
And a whole lot of memories waiting to happen.

But before the adventure really begins, there’s one practical system every travelling family needs to get right:

Your caravan water setup.

When it’s working properly, you hardly notice it.

Clean drinking water flows.
Showers run smoothly.
Waste drains safely.

But when something’s missing, the wrong hose, poor pressure, or nowhere for grey water to go, it can quickly turn a relaxing campsite into a frustrating one.

The good news?

Setting up a reliable caravan water system doesn’t have to be complicated.

This caravan water setup guide will walk you through the essentials so your family can hit the road confident that everything just works.

Why Your Caravan Water Setup Matters More Than You Think

When travelling with kids, comfort and reliability matter.

You’ll be using your caravan water system every day for things like:

• Drinking water
• Cooking meals
• Washing dishes
• Showering
• Toilet flushing
• Cleaning up after messy adventures

A well-designed system ensures your caravan can operate smoothly whether you’re:

• Staying at a powered caravan park
• Camping at a showground
• Free camping for a night or two
• Travelling through remote areas

The goal is simple:

Clean water in. Waste water out. Power running safely.

You can explore the complete range of gear needed to build a reliable system in the Caravan Water, Waste & Power Connections collection.

This collection brings together the core components most caravanners rely on when setting up their utility systems.

The Four Parts of a Family-Friendly Caravan Water Setup

For Big Lap travellers, the easiest way to think about your system is in four simple stages.

1️⃣ Clean water supply
2️⃣ Water pressure and distribution
3️⃣ Safe power connection
4️⃣ Waste water management

Once these four pieces are in place, your caravan setup becomes reliable and easy to manage.

Let’s walk through each one.

1. Clean Water In: Connecting to Safe Drinking Water

Your first step is getting clean drinking water into the caravan.

Most caravan parks and campgrounds provide potable taps, but you’ll need the right hose to connect safely.

Drinking Water Hoses

A proper food-grade drinking water hose is essential.

Regular garden hoses can:

• Affect water taste
• Leach chemicals
• Break down faster in UV exposure

Flat-style caravan drinking water hoses are popular because they:

• Pack down small
• Resist kinks
• Store easily in caravan tunnels or lockers

For travelling families, this makes packing up much quicker when moving between camps.

Water Filters

Water quality across Australia varies significantly.

In some areas you may encounter:

• Bore water
• High mineral content
• Strong chlorine taste

An inline water filter helps by:

• Reducing sediment
• Improving taste
• Protecting caravan plumbing

Many long-term travellers simply leave the filter attached to their drinking hose so it becomes part of the standard setup.

2. Water Pressure & Flow: Making Your Caravan Plumbing Work Properly

Once water enters the van, it needs to move through the system properly.

This is where water pumps and connectors play an important role.

12V Caravan Water Pumps

If you're drawing water from onboard tanks, jerry cans or bladders, a 12V water pump keeps the system running smoothly.

These pumps provide consistent pressure for:

• Showers
• Kitchen taps
• Bathroom sinks
• Toilets

Modern pumps are surprisingly quiet and automatically turn on when taps are opened.

For families travelling long term, this ensures daily routines like showers and washing up feel normal, even when camping off-grid.

Using Jerry Cans and Backup Water

Many Big Lap families carry backup water in jerry cans.

They’re useful for:

• Emergency drinking water
• Extending stays between towns
• Camp showers
• Washing gear

If your onboard tank runs low, you can easily transfer water using your hose and pump system.

This adds flexibility when travelling long distances.

3. Safe Power Hookups at Caravan Parks

When you arrive at a powered caravan park, your next step is connecting electricity safely.

This is where 15A caravan extension leads come in.

Caravans require 15 amp power connections, which differ from standard household leads.

A proper caravan extension lead allows you to safely run:

• Air conditioning
• Battery chargers
• Caravan fridge
• Kitchen appliances
• Entertainment systems

Flat extension leads are especially popular with caravanners because they:

• Coil easily
• Store neatly
• Resist twisting and tangling

Having a reliable lead makes arriving at camp far less stressful — especially after a long driving day.

4. Waste Water Out: Managing Grey Water Properly

Once water has been used inside your caravan, it becomes grey water.

Grey water comes from:

• Showers
• Kitchen sinks
• Bathroom sinks

Most caravan parks require this wastewater to be properly managed.

Sullage Hoses

A sullage hose connects your caravan’s waste outlet to a drain or container.

Flat-style sullage hoses are popular because they:

• Deploy quickly
• Pack away easily
• Prevent leaks

This helps keep your campsite tidy and hygienic.

Portable Grey Water Tanks

Some parks require grey water to be fully contained, rather than draining directly onto the ground.

Portable grey water tanks make this easy.

They allow you to:

• Collect wastewater safely
• Transport it to a dump point
• Stay compliant with campground rules

For families travelling through different states and parks, this flexibility is extremely helpful.

A Simple Example: A Typical Big Lap Caravan Setup

Most travelling families end up with a system that looks something like this:

Clean Water In

• Drinking water hose
• Inline water filter
• Pressure regulator (if needed)

Water Storage

• Onboard caravan tanks
• Backup jerry cans

Pressure & Flow

• 12V water pump
• Hose connectors

Waste Management

• Sullage hose
• Portable grey water tank

Power Supply

• 15A caravan extension lead

Once set up, these components become part of a routine you’ll repeat at each campsite.

The process quickly becomes second nature.

Tips for Families Starting Their First Big Lap

If this is your first major caravan trip, a few simple habits make life easier.

Keep Water Gear Together

Store your hoses, filters and connectors in one dedicated tub so setup is quick when you arrive.

Carry Spare Connectors

Different parks have different tap fittings.

A small set of spare connectors can save a lot of frustration.

Always Flush New Water Hoses

Before use, run fresh water through your hose and filter to remove any residue.

Test Your Setup Before Leaving Home

Setting everything up once in the driveway helps you understand how the system works before you hit the road.

A Reliable Water Setup Means Less Stress on the Road

When families begin their Big Lap, they often focus on the big things:

The route.
The caravan.
The destinations.

But the small practical systems, like water, waste and power, are what make day-to-day travel comfortable.

A well-planned caravan water system ensures:

• Clean drinking water
• Reliable showers
• Easy campsite setup
• Compliance with park rules

And most importantly:

Less stress for parents and more time enjoying the journey together.

Build Your Family-Friendly Water Setup

If you're preparing for your first Big Lap, the easiest way to get everything right is to start with a complete set of compatible components.

Explore the full range of Caravan Water, Waste & Power Connections
 designed for Australian caravanning conditions.

👉 Build your family-friendly water setup