Tent camping is a favourite outdoor adventure for many Australians, especially within the younger 18-32 age group. It’s the perfect budget-friendly escape, often enjoyed in groups of friends, where shared experiences make the trip unforgettable. However, unlike older, more established campers, younger adventurers often lack advanced setups for storing food and drinks. They crave products that offer customisability and a personalised experience while still delivering exceptional durability and quality. Driven by this desire for flexible, long-lasting solutions, Brumby was designed to accommodate multiple users seamlessly. With modular storage options that can be adjusted to suit group needs and a rugged construction built to last, Brumby ensures that everyone has access to organised, efficient food and drink storage. It’s here to revolutionise the group camping experience for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.
This project examined the current state of camping food and beverage storage products, specifically focusing on the unique needs of young Australian tent campers. Through a combination of primary research—including a survey of 30 participants and an expert interview with Robert Smith (22, 75+ camping trips)—alongside an analysis of the existing market, significant gaps and opportunities for innovation were uncovered. Key brands such as Yeti, Engel, Evakool, and Dometic dominate the high-performance segment with durable, well-insulated coolers, storage boxes, and portable fridges. However, these premium products are typically not versatile enough for younger campers, who account for a large portion of tent camping enthusiasts.
Primary research findings highlighted a strong need for better organization within coolers and storage products, with 69% of survey respondents expressing a desire for improved product organization and 53% noting quality issues. Additionally, 90% of respondents use coolers primarily for drink storage, while 53% also rely on them for food, underscoring a need for modular, flexible storage options that can separate items efficiently. Eco-friendliness also emerged as a priority, with young consumers showing interest in products using biodegradable biopolymers and BPA-free plastics. Similarly, there was a desire for purchasing products that will be functional for many years to come.
This research concluded that addressing these gaps through innovations in material science, modularity, and durability could allow for the development of a accessible, sustainable, and user-friendly camping storage solution tailored to the evolving demands of young Australian campers. This information ultimately led to the birth of the Brumby.
BRUMBY. BRILLIANCE
Introducing Brumby – the ultimate cooler designed to stand out from the herd. With our innovative easy clip rail system and four included shelves, you have limitless layout combinations at your disposal. Effortlessly attach the shelves to the internal walls and customise your storage setup to perfectly organize your drinks, snacks, or perishable goods. Brumby gives you the flexibility to tailor your cooler to fit your every adventure.
A silicone-edged divider provides a secure seal, splitting the 150L capacity cooler into two compartments. Use one side for ice-cold beverages and the other to keep your perishables perfectly chilled and organised – the choice is yours!
Built to last, Brumby features stainless steel pin construction for maximum durability and to minimise breakages, making it tough enough for any environment. Our all-terrain wheels ensure smooth transportation over gravel, or rugged trails, and the ergonomic stainless steel handles with rubberised grips make manoeuvring Brumby a breeze, even solo.
With 5cm thick polyurethane-insulated walls and lid, Brumby matches the performance of top brands like YETI, delivering exceptional insulation to keep your contents cold for days. Designed for younger, adventure- loving users, Brumby brings together customisability, long-lasting durability, and superior performance – everything you need to elevate your outdoor experiences!
PURPOSE BUILT
The Brumby cooler is crafted to be the ultimate companion for young adventurers, built with unmatched durability and versatility to handle the demands of the Australian outdoors. With a massive 150-litre capacity, this cooler is perfect for group camping trips, offering ample space to store all your food and drinks. Its distinctive pistachio green and bright white colour scheme feels right at home in nature, blending seamlessly with rugged landscapes, whilst standing out against the competition.
Engineered from rotationally moulded high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the Brumby boasts a robust shell with 5 cm thick polyurethane foam insulation, ensuring contents stay refreshingly cool even under the blazing sun. The food safe, recycled HDPE shelving system is not only modular and customizable, but it also features copper additives that actively combat bacteria and fungi, so your food stays fresh and organized. Every detail of the Brumby’s construction screams quality, from CNC-machined 304 stainless steel pins to ergonomic dual handles designed for easy manoeuvring.
And it doesn’t stop there—the Brumby rolls like a dream on all-terrain wheels, featuring cast aluminium alloy and dual ball bearings, ready to take on any rocky path or grassy field. With the Brumby cooler, durability meets thoughtful design, bringing a new level of reliability and style to the next generation of campers.
ORGANISATION MADE EADY – easy clip food safe shelves
LIMITLESS LAYOUTS TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS
DESIGNED FOR AUSTRALIA, BY AUSTRALIANS
ALL-TERRAIN WHEELS TO TACKLE ANY ENVIRONMENT
37CM EXTENDEd ERGONOMIC HANDLE AND BOTTLE OPENER
TIGHT-SEAL HDPE LID WITH STAINLESS STEEL PIN HINGE SYSTEM
5CM THICK POLYEURETHANE INSULATED WALLS
BRUMBY. DURABLE BY DESIGN, ADAPTABLE BY NATURE
Benji Bowker
Benji is an industrial design student who also has a strong interest in visual communications and fashion design. Driven by a passion for creating functional solutions to everyday challenges, he focuses on reimagining designs that have remained unchanged, finding innovative ways to improve them. Benji aims to leverage his skills across multiple fields to become a versatile and impactful designer in the future.
