The dry-season influx of grey nomads has seen a steep and sudden drop off.
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Last week, the car parks and streets were chock-a-block with caravans.
But with the build up set to hit this weekend, all of a sudden it is quiet again.
Katherine caravan parks can vouch for the swift decline seen this week, with most saying they are currently less than half full.
Boab Caravan Park owner Leona Olsen said that while tourists numbers are dropping off slightly early this year, the pattern is relatively normal.
“It has just gotten real hot, real quick,” she said.
“Everyone is heading home.”
She said the price of fuel could be one of the factors contributing to the early visitor send-off.
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“Fuel is certainly not cheap, there was a big difference last year, it was really quite less expensive,” Ms Olsen said.
Despite a slower build-up to maximum capacity earlier this year, this season was one of their best yet, Ms Olsen said.
“Another factor that might be putting people off staying longer is the amount of antisocial behavior.
“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.
“Katherine has a lot to offer for tourists and we need to protect what we have,” she said.
Manbulloo Homestead owner Brian Hill has 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 per cent occupancy,” Mr Hill said.
“It has been a big drop,” he said.
He said he expects to see more caravans on the road over the next decade with the baby boomers at retirement stage.
“People are extending their stay because they like what they see [in Katherine],” Mr Hill said.
“Less people are going to Kakadu because it is expensive and it is getting tired and old, so they stay here longer.
“Some are not even going to Darwin… and heading straight to Western Australia.
“Katherine is doing well to keep [tourists] occupied, but we still need to keep doing more,” Mr Hill said.
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