Michelle - ExplorOz replied:

Maree, it depends whether you are travelling to one spot and staying for a week and using it as a communal showerblock or lifting camp regularly on a longer trip of many weeks/months. My personal opinion is you don't need to take a showerscreen. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages... they take up so much space, are time consuming to setup and just not necessary. You just want use it. In many instances, if a shower block isn't around then there isn't available water, which means you'd have to use your own water supplies. You'd be crazy to waste it on a shower when drinking and cooking is more important. In those instances a wet facecloth for an "AP&C" (armpit and crotch) is plenty and can be done in the tent, in the car, behind a tree, behind the car door etc. Space is usually the most important factor and shower screens just can't be justified for the amount of room they take up for how little they'll be used. Maybe I'm just a grot, but I really think we waste too much water on being "excessively clean". When you travel its impossible to stay reallly squeakly clean and a daily shower is a total waste when in 10minutes time you could lean against the side of the car to reach something off the roof and get covered in dirt, or have the windows down and get dust in your hair etc. You soon recognise that city living vs travelling requires a different level of attention to cleanliness (note I didn't say hygeine - you don't need to be squeaky clean to be hygenic.) Who else agrees with me?

Roger Lowry replied:

HI Maree,
Yes My Wife and I carry a shower tent, it is the type that pops up from a circular form. It is free standing and can be pegged at the bottom if it is windy. We also use this tent as a portable outhouse when there are no trees. We also do not shower daily to conserve water but if camped where water is available find that heating a small quantity of water and adding this to our shower bucket, one can have a leasurely wash without worring about prying eyes. However if space is a problem have an a.p.c. and wait for the next shower block on your journey.
Dodg.

Kate replied:

Like the other responses we tend not to bother too much with a shower tent (especially if no one around) but a bit of advice on them any way - we bought a cheaper one that we have had problems with each time we have used it (normally when we go to Tamworth County Music Festival) and have regreted it. Most of the time we just have a wash in the dish strategically placed in our tent (one you can stand up in) we have just bought a Oz Trail tent and happened to see their ensuite tent and it looks better than most of the ones we have seen.

Jenny replied:

Maree: get a baby wash basin, a kettle of hot water, cool it down to bearable temperature with cold water, stand over it for the main part of the body, husband next, then the crevice wash and then stand in it for your feet !! My husband and I wash this way all through the outback, use minimal water and with a washer can go for a week or ten days without shower withdraw symptoms!
And you thought that Tyre Questions would stir the natives!!
Use the basin as a storage bin the rest of the time-- put his bloody beer in it !!!
Jen

Tony replied:

Maree, All those that have responded have made valid points, but, they have all forgotten one thing. It feels sooooo good to have a hot shower at the end of a dusty day travelling or to wash the salt off after a swim in the ocean,and to climb into bed nice and clean! I admit that when water is scarce, we make do with an AP&C wash but oh! that hot shower feels so wonderful when water is available. Follow the shower with an icy cold beer, a camp fire, good company and I feel like I'm in heaven!

Allan replied:

Maree, All I can say is that we must be the ‘odd couple’ because, we made it a rule to have a hot refreshing shower each night before bed (providing water is available). Your sheets /sleeping gear stays clean for a good nights sleep and its absolutely great for the sex life. We use a small submersible pump and shower assembly but modified it so it only operates when you press a push button switch with your toe. It really saves water just wet yourself down, lather up and rinse off. We can both have a good shower on less than one small bucket of water -probably even less water than most of you using a flannel & water and much more hygienic.
Our shower/ toilet enclosure (when in public) is a standard tarpaulin supported by tent poles. The tent poles fit into small guides welded onto our camper trailer drawbar so we don’t need to use ropes.

John antwerp replied:

Comon Maree...We were all born without clothes..I am sure you have only got what half the population has got...get nude for Christ sakes and worry about more important things

craig replied:

Maree, when camping at the same spot for a lenght of time and water is plentiful there is nothing better than a daily shower. Both my brother in laws and I have all purchased the Oz Trail Ensuites at our wifes suggestion and they are fantastic and great to wash the young ones in. On our last trip (10 days)one brother in law who used to boast that he could go two weeks without a shower was now showering each afternoon. We use the plastic solar showers which are great but are looking at other options (ie: Glind, pump and bucket ) etc to make it easier to bath 4 persons and as it is difficult getting the bags onto the hanging hook and they hang rather low. We had one of the cheaper (not by much) polytarp type structures and the Oz Trail is far superior. If you are using a solar shower or similar you will need to find a tree or rig up a structure to hang the shower of with the pop up types however I know a friend who uses the pop up type with a in car shower and says they are fantastic.