Finding, carrying and treating water in outback Australia
Water is the most critical variable in outback travel. Get it right and it's something you never think about. Get it wrong and it can end your trip or your life. After many years of travel across remote Australia, here's what we've learned.
How much water do you need?
The standard planning figure for outback travel is a minimum of 5 litres per person per day for drinking and cooking in mild conditions. In summer heat or when physically active, that rises to 8–10 litres per person per day. Add water for washing, animals, vehicle top-up and you're looking at carrying serious volumes if you're heading somewhere remote.
The rule we use: calculate what you think you need, then double it. Water weighs 1kg per litre — this has real implications for your payload — but running short of water in a remote area is not a situation you want to find yourself in.
Water sources in outback Australia
Town water supplies
The most reliable and safest source. Outback towns, roadhouses and stations with a public facility will generally have treated town water available. Top up every time you're in a town, even if you think you have enough.
Roadhouse and station taps
Most outback roadhouses sell water or allow travellers to fill up. Ask before assuming. Some stations have a travellers' water tap — again, ask. Never take water from station infrastructure without permission.
Bore water
Outback Australia is underlaid by bore water systems — the Great Artesian Basin covers a vast area of QLD, NSW, SA and NT. Bore water is often available at designated traveller stops, some caravan parks and in station yards. However, bore water is NOT automatically safe to drink without treatment. It can contain high levels of minerals, fluoride, sulfur or other dissolved solids that make it unpalatable or actively harmful in large quantities. Always test or treat bore water before drinking. It's generally fine for washing and vehicle use.
Rivers and creeks
Surface water in outback Australia must be treated before drinking. Always. Even clear-looking water in a remote creek can contain Giardia, Cryptosporidium, bacteria from upstream animal activity, agricultural chemicals or naturally occurring toxins (particularly blue-green algae in still water). Do not assume remote water is clean water.
Rainwater tanks
Many outback properties and some designated camping areas have rainwater tanks. These are generally cleaner than bore or surface water but should still be treated if you have any doubt about the tank's condition or how recently it was cleaned. Check with the property owner or land manager before using.
Soakages and natural water holes
These exist across outback Australia and are shown on some topographic maps. They are unreliable — seasonal, variable and shared with wildlife. Water from soakages must be treated. Never camp on top of a natural soakage — wildlife depends on these water sources and your presence will keep them away.
Water treatment methods
Boiling
The oldest and most reliable method. Bring water to a rolling boil for one minute (three minutes above 2000m altitude). Effective against bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Does not remove chemical contamination or improve taste of mineral-heavy bore water. Requires fuel — a consideration in remote areas.
Filtration
A quality water filter (ceramic, hollow fibre or similar) removes bacteria and protozoa effectively. Not all filters remove viruses — in remote Australia where viral contamination is less of a concern than in developing countries, a good filter is often sufficient for surface water. Gravity filters work without pumping and are excellent for camp use. Pump filters are faster. Check the filter's micron rating — you want 0.1 micron or better.
Chemical treatment
Iodine tablets or sodium hypochlorite (household bleach in very small quantities) are lightweight backup options. Effective against bacteria and most protozoa, less reliable against Cryptosporidium. Leave treated water to stand for at least 30 minutes before drinking. Not suitable for pregnant women or people with thyroid conditions (iodine). Water purification tablets are available from camping stores and are worth carrying as a backup.
UV sterilisation
UV pens (SteriPen and similar) are excellent — lightweight, fast and effective against bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Not effective against chemical contamination. Requires batteries or charging. A UV pen plus a pre-filter for turbid water is a very good combination for outback travel.
Reverse osmosis
The gold standard for removing everything including chemicals, minerals and heavy metals. Vehicle-mounted RO systems are used by serious outback travellers and grey nomads who want to use bore water freely. Expensive and requires maintenance but provides the best water quality of any treatment method.
Carrying and storing water
Jerry cans and water tanks
Purpose-built water jerry cans (20L) are the most flexible solution — carry as many as your vehicle can handle, refill when available. Use food-grade plastic only — blue is the conventional colour for water (red is diesel, yellow is petrol). Label everything clearly.
Permanently mounted water tanks in a caravan or camper give you larger volume with less handling. Many caravans come with 80–200L tanks. Know your tank capacity and plan your refill stops accordingly.
Water in heat
Water stored in black tanks or dark-coloured jerry cans in full sun can reach temperatures above 50°C — unpleasant to drink and potentially capable of leaching chemicals from low-quality plastics. Use food-grade containers, shade them where possible and let water cool before drinking if it's been in direct sun.
Keeping it clean
Clean your water containers regularly — slime and biofilm build up surprisingly quickly. A rinse with a dilute bleach solution (1 teaspoon of bleach per 10 litres of water, let stand 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly) keeps containers clean. Don't store water for longer than two weeks without refreshing it.
Planning your water stops
Before any remote leg, research your water stops:
- Check current road and conditions reports — some water sources are seasonal or may be dry
- Talk to other travellers who've recently done the route — Facebook groups for outback travellers are excellent for current intel
- Contact roadhouses along your route in advance — they can tell you their current water situation
- Don't rely on a single source for your planning — cross-reference information
- In extreme heat or on very remote routes, contact the relevant state emergency service or parks authority before departure and leave your itinerary with them
The simple rules
- Carry more than you think you need
- Top up every time you're somewhere with reliable water
- Treat all non-town water before drinking
- Know your daily consumption rate and plan your stops accordingly
- Never dismiss dehydration symptoms — act on them early
- In an emergency, the priority order is: find shade, signal for help, ration water — don't try to walk out
Water is not something to be casual about in outback Australia. Plan it properly and it's something you never have to worry about.
