Tourists drive van through sign on Northern Territory highway

Navigating the outback can be tough - just ask four Asian tourists, who will never forget their campervan trip through the Northern Territory.

The driver - who'd realised he was heading in the wrong direction - was attempting a three point turn on the Stuart Highway, when he accidentally reversed at speed into a road sign about 50 kilometres south of Darwin.

The directional “Katherine to Darwin” sign pierced the cabin and was wedged in the bedroom, while the metal posts used to support it had been crushed under the van's wheels.

Despite the severe impact, the tourists weren't hurt.

"We're happy and relieved they're all okay" said a Britz spokesperson from New Zealand.

The visitors were eventually helped on their way by passing locals, who spent an hour hammering the sign free.

"Hopefully they know which way Darwin is now", joked witness Ben John, who said a new hashtag is trending in his social media circles #touristseason