Wicked by the wayside as backpackers pack up

BACKPACKERS? Calling all backpackers?

Backpacker Exodus

BACKPACKERS? Calling all backpackers?

The dawn of Territory’s build-up appears to have started with the exodus of backpackers from Darwin city.

Wicked Campers’ yard is full to the brim with vehicles spilling out on to McMinn St.

It’s a far cry from the barren yard during the dry season that had few cars in it.

Wicked Campers refused to comment to the NT News, but Darwin City Waterfront Retailers Association president Darren Lynch said he too had noticed a downturn in backpackers.

“There’s certainly less backpackers applying for jobs and dropping resumes off,” Mr Lynch said.

He said there had been fewer visitors than last month to the waterfront, but it’s normal for this time of the year.

“It just means we have thinner options with staff we can employ,” Mr Lynch said.

Tuesday was the official start of the Territory’s build-up, where muggy days anecdotally herald the infamous mango madness.

Senior weather bureau forecaster Mark Kersemakers said he had seen an increase in humidity over the Top End during the past few weeks.

“Overall the average humidity levels have gone up during the day across the Top End, mainly around the coastal areas in the past week or two,” he said.

Top End Tourism general manager Trevor Cox said while the number of backpackers had dropped since July, it was still on par with last year’s numbers.

He said backpackers might have left the city, but were still lurking in the bush.

“They’re quite savvy travellers, they know when our big season is so they’re not looking for our hospitality work – they’re now looking at horticultural and mango stuff.”

Despite the downturn of backpackers, it’s not the end of tourism just yet for Darwin.

This month will see four cruise ships come in, as well as more than 4000 business delegates attending conferences and business events.

“The tourism season is definitely not over just yet,” Mr Cox said.