TOURISTS descended, roads were closed and accommodation was booked out during a snowy weekend in Oberon.
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But while police thanked locals for their co-operation, they highlighted the "unacceptable behaviour" of many of the visitors to town when it came to parking and social distancing.
Residents awoke on Saturday to a thick blanket of snow after a major cold front moved across the region.
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After a maximum of only seven degrees on Friday, the temperature dropped to -6.8 on Saturday and only reached a top of 5.1. Sunday's minimum was -2.5.
A total of 42.8 millilitres of rain was recorded.
All roads in the local government area remained open to four-wheel drive vehicles and essential travel only on Saturday at 7am, but by 7.30am, after inspections, all roads were closed.
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The Duckmaloi and O'Connell roads were re-opened at 10.30am.
The O'Connell Road was closed at 2.30am Sunday and the Edith Road was closed up to McKeown's Creek.
Late Sunday afternoon, all major roads were open.
Council's tourism and economic development manager Mathew Webb said accommodation in Oberon was all booked out by Thursday afternoon.
"Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the last six months has been hard for local businesses, accommodation hotel/motels and bed and breakfast," he said.
"But this did not stop tourists swarming the area. I think there were thousands descending on Oberon.
"Over the three days, we had over 100 inquiries per day at the Visitor Information Centre, with a huge amount of phone calls.
"This was a huge economic boost for Oberon.
"I don't think anyone has seen this amount of tourists in Oberon at once and it was not even a long weekend.
"Visitors were still arriving on Sunday and Monday with snow still laying in the higher areas of the district."
The traffic in the main street was at full capacity and visitors were lined up along the street waiting to place orders for food and beverages.
