ONE of the region's premier tourist sites Lake Burrendong turns into a mini town during the festive period.
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There is a sea of tents and camping sites right around the many vantage points in the period heading to the new year.
Campers, skiers, sun and water lovers are packed across the many recreational spots and this year the temperatures are in the high 30's and tourists say they are taking care to go out at the right time of the day.
State Park manager Jason Kirk said numbers were down from last year.
"But there's still about 1200 people here down from about 1800 last Christmas season," he said.
"There is space for campers right up until December 31 where we shut down the park for new year's celebrations.
"We won't be accepting anybody on New Years' eve for safety reasons but there's no doubt the crowds are well behaved and enjoying themselves at all our sites," Mr Kirk said.
Many people from Dubbo, Mudgee, Parkes and Orange are among the 1200 people who are there and will bring the new year in at the popular tourist site.
Dubbo's Garry Sparkes, who was escaping the mid thirties temperatures under cover with Wellington's Andrew Tierney, said the conditions fantastic for families.
"We're enjoying it here there's plenty to do here from fishing, swimming and skiing so the family can get about," Mr Sparkes said.
The traffic has been constant from entry points into Lake Burrendong.
Police have patrolled the water to check on boating and fishing licenses and water safety and also conducted random breath tests and monitored speeds on the roads nearby, police said.
Wellington police said they have conducted hundreds of tests on the Mitchell Highway and, so far, have not charged anybody.