THE BIG4 Narrawong Island Holiday Park has been busy over the Christmas and New Year period, welcoming families from near and far.

Despite the fresh weather, travellers have set up impressive camps across the park.

One family who travelled from the Melbourne suburb of Sunbury, usually go to BIG4 parks during the school holidays and thought the Narrawong location looked interesting.

Sarah Willis said this was their first time in Narrawong and they were having a great time.

“We’ve been to the beach; we’ve been to the river.

They also attended Portland’s New Year’s Eve celebrations on Sunday, going on the carnival rides and watching the “impressive” fireworks she said.

“The kids loved it.”

Although only staying for a week, the family said they hoped to eventually move permanently to Narrawong or Heywood.

Down the path from the Willis family were Hamilton couple Miriam and Graham Tonissen, who came to camp with extended family.

They have gone swimming every day, “believe it or not”, Mrs Tonissen said.

“We had a bit of a drive to Portland to visit some relatives and tried to catch a few fish here,” she said.

“We’ve been playing cards at night with the others.”

Since arriving a week earlier, the two have enjoyed seeing plenty people come and go, as well as the many children enjoying the venue.

They said there was so much space and something for all, young and old, to do.

Across the path, having their annual holiday were a group of friends originally from Heywood.

While playing cards around the table, Nicola Watkins said they have been returning to Narrawong to camp since their early youth.

The past Heywood locals have been at the park since Boxing Day and plan to leave next week.

Spotted fishing over at the Surry River, near the beach, were father and daughter Tim and Tessa Schurmann.

“We've been coming down here for quite a few years, so we keep coming,” Mr Schurmann said.

He and his family arrived from Riddells Creek, in the shire of Macedon Ranges, fully prepared with kayaks, fishing equipment, and a boat to go up the river.

Initially from Hamilton, they have been camping in Narrawong for 20-odd years, he said.