NUMBERS at Lake Burrendong State Park are expected to swell over the next few days with warm weather causing tourists and locals to flock to the water.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The tourist numbers are already up by 30 per cent according to its manager Jason Kirk.
“There are about 1500 here now who came before Christmas, but we have very big bookings for the new year period and expect to have around 2,300 people but that could get even bigger,” he said.
Traffic on both the Orange and Dubbo entrances to Burrendong Way has been heavy and by early Friday afternoon holidaymakers were basking in the sunshine, which is expected to continue across the long weekend.
“Our site holders are well up as well and there are plenty of spots for unpowered camping here,” Mr Kirk said.
Emma and her daughter Matilda Marchant from Dubbo enjoyed the water slide which hovers over the dam precint.
“We love it here and the kids are having a great time,” Emma said as she came out of the slide.
On the dam itself, despite windy weather, a family from Orange took their boat to the water with a biscuit dragging behind them.
Laura Wolfsen, a regular at the Burrendong site, said she was loving the weather.
“The water is perfect and the wind is not really that bad. I have been six or seven times and really enjoy it,” she said.
The Wellington caves are also reporting strong numbers and the weather forecast is sunny with temperatures in the high 30’s right through the weekend and over New Year.
Police say they will patrol both tourist sites to ensure holidaymaker are safe and secure while Lake Burrendong will be locked down on New Years Eve with no tourists allowed into the venue.
“’This was a success last year and it really did prevent any trouble here,” Mr Kirk said.