With the weather changing and the buildup about to start in the Northern Territory, the grey nomads are reportedly heading south in numbers.
In Katherine, caravan parks that were full just a week or so are now half empty.
Boab Caravan Park owner Leona Olsen told the Katherine Times that a familiar story was unfolding.
“It has just gotten real hot, real quick,” she said. “Everyone is heading home.”
Manbulloo Homestead owner Brian Hill said he had also seen a dramatic drop in visitor numbers due to the sudden hot weather.
“We have gone from being full two weeks ago down to only 20% occupancy,” Mr Hill said. “It has been a big drop.”
However, he told the Katherine Times that he was confident about the future as more and more baby boomers were hitting the open road in retirement. And, he said, Katherine was benefitting from another trend.
“Less people are going to Kakadu because it is expensive and it is getting tired and old, so they stay here longer,” he said. “Some are not even going to Darwin… and are heading straight to Western Australia.”
He said grey nomads and other visitors were extending their stay in Katherine simply because they liked what they saw.
However, Leona Olsen from the Boab Caravan Park warned more work had to be done to curb anti-social behaviour in the area.
“In the early days of this season we had quite a bit of stuff stolen … we had to put signs up and tell people to lock their doors,” she said. “Katherine has a lot to offer for tourists and we need to protect what we have.”
Yep anti social,razor wire, stinky public toilets, unsecure ,run down ,and way to expensive. I have to say for all that we did enjoy our trip to NT but we wont be rushing back. 3 days at the rock and 3 in kakadu is all you need, its just more of the same and the blue mountains is nicer than kings canyon or katherine gorge. Red dust and more red dust. Roads are great just not enough tar ones. Leave it for the 4×4 ppl to enjoy
Hey John, Sounds like you missed the Jewell in the NT crown – Litchfield NP.
We had a great stay in Katherine, stayed at the Shady Lane caravan park. Great facilities, great staff, great pool.
We loved Katherine and the rest is f Australia . Maybe you didn’t go with the right outlook or the right vehicle and rig get out there with the right mind set and enjoy our great country
Totally agree. Please leave negative comments at home. There is so much to enjoy.
Some travellers cant see the forrest for the trees. There is much to see and enjoy.
When I head south I enjoy all there is to offer and take in all the lovely experiences this great country has to offer.
I see some people in Vans rushing through with one nite stopovers, rushing from one spot to the next missing everything and being very critical without knowing anything.
If John is so unhappy travelling this wonderful and ever suprising
country then he can stay home. That’s one less caravan on the road.
He should thank himself lucky that the option of such freedom to travel
which is so unique compared to the rest of the crazy world. No borders to go through no passport needed. Go figure . Some people are never happy .
Dave, you’re not being fair to John, while he called it as he experienced it he also wrote “I have to say for all that we did enjoy our trip to NT but we wont be rushing back”
There’s a whole heap of places I won’t bother to go visit again.
I think you are all missing the point of the article, it suggesting people are not staying in and around Katherine as mentioned by the CP operators as their numbers are down for what ever reason. At the moment we are in Katherine and made comment over the past couple of weeks there isnt the same number of travelers in RV’s on the road. We agree with comments Kakadu is over priced & Litchfield NP is the jewel in the NT crown and its free. go figure
You may agree with John…I and most others dont. Hes virtually canned the NT with his negative experiences. Dont mind fair and level criticism…but not total negativity.
I would like to think this of this forum to be fair and positive.
I find it really it hard to fathom why some people our age cannot enjoy what out great country has to offer and see. We have worked just about all of our lives through the many ups and downs. Take the time to smell the roses, see the sunsets, the full moon shadows on a starry nite by the campfire and enjoy the last chapter of our lives with some FUN…!
If you dont like the red dust or the dirt roads in the NT mate stay at home in your soft comfort zone…!
we just finished a fly in 10 day motor home roaming (for the 3rd time) We did notice the many empty spaces, the weather was excellent, and we did not see any anti-social behaviour but the constabulary did visit us at Katherine Big4 because of some thefts during the night. That happens. We love the place and the various waterfalls etc we visit. Our only disappointment is that the many information boards at historic sites are almost all totally unreadable. (Probably sun damaged) We will be back. (again)