While stories abound about there being less grey nomads travelling north this year, that doesn’t necessarily mean all groups of camping travellers are staying away from traditional Dry Season hotspots.
Indeed, new data from Motorhome Republic and Airport Rentals – part of Webjet Group NZ – show campervan bookings from Darwin are up a whopping 89% in the past six months.
Nicola Dennison, Webjet Group NZ’s Chief Product and Marketing Officer, said that Darwin, and the NT in general, was one of Australia’s most popular self-drive destinations.
“Given its sheer size – full of natural beauty and a laidback way of life – to truly explore and immerse yourself in all the region has to offer you need an easy way to get around,” she said.
Litchfield National Park is a hugely popular Top End destination. PIC: Cizza
“We’re seeing more Australians gravitate towards destinations that offer the opportunity to essentially get off the beaten track and have the freedom to slow down and reconnect with nature … and the Top End ticks all of those boxes.”
The company said Darwin was now the seventh most booked domestic destination for campervan travel in 2026, outpacing favourites like Cairns and hot on the heels of Sydney and Brisbane
Not surprisingly, winter was the top time to visit, and the average trip length for Top End campervan bookings was nine days.
Many of the more remote parts of Australia have reported a downturn in traveller numbers due to uncertainty over fuel proves and potential fuel availability.
And it has seen a number of initiatives launched to encourage grey nomads and other travellers to keep coming. These include a Federal Government push to attract tourist to the Red Centre, and a WA Government travel voucher program designed to bring travellers to the Kimberley.
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