The franchise sold a staggering 2500 ice-creams on New Year’s Day alone.

“It (the day) contributed to the highest volume of any of the 94 franchises throughout Australia,”  franchise owner Beau Farrell said.

“Considering we are up against Sydney, Brisbane and other major centres, that is a great result for Port Macquarie.

“We are certainly enjoying a good run at the moment. We have the location right on the Town Green which is proving a great place for families.

“While the weather plays a major role, I also think that Port has certainly turned a corner. We are no long a small town: it is growing and we are all benefiting.” he said.

Mr Farrell said he had been putting in the hours sometimes working from 9am to midnight.

“I’m certainly looking forward to a break,” he added.

While the franchise owner was happy with the results for his store, he said the city’s growth was now attracting more and more family groups during the holidays.

But he also urged other business operators to consider staying open later.

“People come downtown to have a good experience. If other businesses stayed open longer, I think these current visitors would be more likely to come back for that weekender (visit) because they had that good experience,” he said.

“I just think it is good for the city to have everything open during this time when you have a captive audience.”

Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association president Jeanette Hyde said the good weather had contributed to a bumper holiday season.

“I think it has been an extremely busy holiday season,” she said.

Mrs Hyde said the upgraded highway meant better access to the lucrative Sydney family market which was a key factor in the bumper trading.

“Our (Sydney) holidaymakers certainly appreciate that they just four hours away by road; we have fantastic accommodation, a good restaurant and cafe scene and lots of different options.”

The tourism president also praised the decision to provide 9am and midnight fireworks on New Year’s Eve as a winner.

“The fireworks were a great initiative. The crowds at the 9pm fireworks were amazing while the midnight event was also well attended,” she said.

“But it needs to be ongoing: Tap House and council should be congratulated on what they did and it is very important to what we have to offer our visitors and locals.”

Chamber of Commerce president Haydn Oriti said he had noticed more people in shops and filling cafes and restaurants over the past few weeks.

“It certainly looks to be a great season,” he said. “Port Macquarie is a great product.

“The sense I am getting is that our cafes and restaurants are full, our beaches and retail stores are packed and people are looking in real estate agents’ windows.

“Our property market is very strong and only enhanced by people who come here (to holiday) and potentially relocate.”