Canberra's streets were noticeably quiet on Labour Day as many Canberrans flocked to Floriade in Commonwealth Park, or headed to the south coast to enjoy the unseasonably warm October weather.
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Far South Coast director of lifesaving Andrew Edmunds said many beaches were busy at the long weekend and attendances matched expectations.
"There were large swells on Friday and Saturday and a dangerous surf warning was issued but it's starting to get a little better now," he said on Monday.
Surf Live Saving NSW manager Andy Kent said the school holidays had kept lifeguards busy and the long weekend had drawn big crowds to the state's beaches.
Mr Kent said members of 129 surf clubs were patrolling NSW beaches and more than 100 lifeguards from the Australian Lifeguard Services were on duty at some of the state's busiest beaches.
The dangerous surf warning was issued by Surf Life Saving NSW on Thursday because it was feared swells could reach two to three metres high, and swell periods of up to 13 seconds.
The rough conditions, which are expected to ease on Wednesday, could be particularly dangerous for people crossing river bars, or rock fishing, Mr Kent said. "We would advise against people swimming at unpatrolled locations and to stay away from rock platforms and headlands until these conditions moderate on Wednesday," he said.
In Canberra, a Floriade spokeswoman said motorists' difficulty in parking was a sign of the festival's popularity. The number of visitors was expected to match last year's 448,000 visitors. Many first-timers arrived after lunch to discover the main car park was already full.
Floriade organisers are encouraging visitors to park in Civic and use the free shuttle buses from the Canberra Centre to the festival, or to park at the Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra Theatre or Constitution Avenue car parks and walk to the event.
The spokeswoman said the event was a draw card for visitors to the capital in the school holidays but tourists would still visit cultural institutions and new developments, like the cafe precinct in Braddon or New Acton.
A Crowne Plaza Hotel spokeswoman said the hotel was definitely busier than usual, probably because of the exceptionally warm weather. A QT Hotels spokesman said the school holidays were a busy time but could not say if Floriade had had an effect on bookings.
