The end of the school holidays coincides with the three-day Australia Day holiday as well as the last weekend of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Also in the mix is a huge trucking convoy making its way to Armidale with 176 big rigs involved in the Burrumbuttock Hay Run.

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Double demerits will be in force from midnight Thursday until midnight on Monday for seatbelt, speeding and helmet offences, and for using a phone behind the wheel.

Oxley Acting Superintendent Kylie Endemi said extra highway officers would be on patrol in and around the Oxley Police District, on top of the country music policing operation.

"Double demerits will be in force as Operation Safe Return commences on Friday, [which] brings a strong traffic focus not just across main arterial roads but all of our roads, including those back roads," she said.

"Our goal is to ensure everyone arrives at their destination safely."

The operation was launched on Thursday and Minister for Police David Elliott urged motorists to take care on the roads.

"Although Australia Day is a time to enjoy time with friends and family, we also tragically see an increase in road trauma and collisions," he said.

"NSW communities have seen more than their fair share of heartache over the summer. Our appeal is for motorists not to add to that by way of unnecessary road trauma.

"Take care of yourself and family, look out for your mates, and don't take any risks that would put your life or someone else's life at risk."