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Thornbury couple Brett Stewart and Anna Kartsounis enjoyed camping in Echuca so much last Christmas that they returned for another holiday on the Murray River this year.

The couple and daughters Katerina and Isabella Stewart-Kartsounis are spending two weeks camping at Wills Bend this time around.

The family is among scores of others to have flocked to Echuca-Moama for fun on the river this festive season.

Last year the family only spent one week at Echuca, but this year have extended their trip.

They arrived on December 27 and are camping with another family for the whole two weeks.

Other friends have also visited and spent a couple of nights camping with them.

They have also spent time catching up with friends who live at Echuca.

The family has divided its time at Echuca between kneeboarding, swimming and bike riding at their campsite, as well as heading into Echuca for some shopping, and lunches out.

Former Echuca resident Megan Fox, who now lives at Inverloch, was among a group which spent Christmas and New Year’s camping together at Wills Bend.

Mrs Fox, her husband Steven and their four children joined other extended family members camping on the river from December 22 to Saturday.

As well as spending time together, they have also had plenty of time to go swimming, skiing, out to lunch and sitting down to watch movies.

Danny Lyons and Josh Squire were also part of a large group camping together at Wills Bend.

The pair from Ballarat were among about 30 people who were camping for a bit under a week.

It is not the first time the group has camped at Echuca, and they plan more trips in the coming year.

Mr Lyons said he had spent time boating, fishing, drinking and eating, and had tried some of Echuca’s wines and cheeses.

The weather was high on both his and Mr Squire’s lists of why Echuca was chosen for the trip.

Mr Squire said he had enjoyed his time swimming, fishing and enjoying a few cold beverages.