Bathurst Aqua Park owner Michael Hickey said New Year’s Day was busy, but it was actually the quietest day in recent times.  

“We’ve been absolutely flat out,” Mr Hickey said. 

“We had 700 people through here on Sunday.” 

The aqua park opened at the beginning of November, later extending its days of operation from four to seven every week for the school holidays. 

“I just enjoy seeing people use it and the people travelling,” Mr Hickey said. “That’s one of the amazing things, just how many people have travelled [for the park].” 

He said people have come from Orange, Dubbo and Gosford, while people from Canada and Germany also visited the facility.

The park will conclude its 2018-19 season at the end of March, but if the weather allows for it the season will be extended to take in Easter as well. 

Mr Hickey said the response for the park has been excellent and he looked forward to working with Bathurst Regional Council to improve the dam facilities, not just for his customers, but all dam users. 

The goal is to extend the awning near the kiosk to create more shade and seated areas, and offer more activities for people next season.

Port Macquarie resident Mitchell Bridle was one of the many people out at the dam on Tuesday, spending the afternoon with his young family and friends that live in Oberon. 

“We’re on holiday, staying at Oberon. We’ve come over from Port Macquarie for a few days,” he said. 

He and his family had spent New Year’s Eve night at O’Connell and were looking forward to following it up with a quiet day at the dam. 

Port Macquarie has an identical aqua park, Mr Bridle said, and the children loved the chance to play on the one at Bathurst. 

After spending a few hours at the park, the two families planned on heading back into town for a late lunch.