Despite wet and wild conditions over the May weekend, forcing concerts indoors, organisers were more than happy with the turnout.

“We couldn’t have asked for anything better considering the weather conditions,” Chamber of Commerce secretary Sharon Wedd said.

Music lovers who travelled from as far south as Melbourne and the Central Coast heard some 13 bands play over three days getting involved in some interesting instrument workshops.

Gleny Rae and Friends along with The Lawnmowers rounded off the weekend at their finale concert. The crowd enjoyed the music so much that the bands were persuaded to play a one and a half hour encore, Ms Wedd said.

“It was just great the sun broke on Saturday morning, there were dolphins going up the river which was just so still, it couldn’t have been better everyone just had a fantastic time.

“The response from visitors was fantastic, they said they loved the music and they’d be back again next year.”

The town’s Chamber of Commerce organised the Karuah River of Music Festival to boost the area’s flailing economy.

While a figure, estimating money raised at the event, is yet to be tallied, Ms Wedd said “in our terms it was successful.”

Relying on Port Stephens Council and local businesses for funding the Chamber expects the event will be fully sustainable after three years and plans to run the event next year pending a boost to funding.

The Chamber wished to thank Business Port Stephens, Port Stephens Council, Ward Councillors, Karuah Progress Association, Karuah Working Together Committee and the Karuah RSL Club.