Bushfires devastate Fraser Island as the blazes threaten to decimate tourist icons - as fire bans are imposed due to soaring temperatures in Queensland and New South Wales
Devastating bushfires have left holidaymakers at Fraser Island's iconic tourist destinations on high alert as Sydney prepares to swelter through another 40C plus scorcher.
Tourists have been ordered to stay away from Queensland's world heritage-listed island as conditions deteriorated on Saturday.
The out of control blaze which has now been burning for a six weeks has destroyed almost half of the island's national park as waterbombers and ground crews battle the intense conditions.
A total fire ban remains in place across New South Wales on Sunday with Sydney set to soar past 40C for a second consecutive day and break a 60 year record.
The heatwave conditions have taken a toll on firefighters across NSW, with more than 100 fires burning from border to border in the last two days in the wake of the horror bushfire season last summer.
A watch and act warning was issued for a fire burning close to homes in Whitehaven Rd at Northmead in Sydney's north-west on Sunday afternoon.
A raging bushfire continues to rage out of control on Fraser Island , coming within kilometres of tourists and campers visiting the island
Sydney reached a top of 42C on Saturday as thousands flocked to Bondi Beach
The Fraser Island blaze came within kilometres of holidaymakers staying at the Kingfisher Bay Resort on Saturday.
'For guests currently staying at the resort, it is advised to remain within the resort grounds, and to not travel onto the inland tracks. Guided tours have also been postponed until further notice,' the resort posted on Facebook.
A separate bushfire has also come within two kilometres of popular campsite Cathedrals on Fraser, ten days after campers were forced to evacuate due to the ongoing inferno.
Major attractions such as Champagne Pools, Eli Creek and Lake McKenzie remain unaffected at this stage.
Tourists are currently unable to arrive on the island as the bushfire enters its seventh week.
The bushfire on Fraser Island has destroyed almost half of its heritage-listed national park
Conditions on Fraser Island worsened on Saturday as waterbombers battled to keep the raging fire well clear of campers and tourists on the island
Ferry services will continue to operate for island residents, emergency services only, and tourists departing the island.
The smoke from the bushfire burning on island is affecting townships on the mainland between Maryborough and Tin Can Bay.
'If it is affecting you, close windows and doors and keep respiratory medications close by,' Queensland Fire and Emergency Services posted on Sunday.
The blaze is thought to have been started by an illegal campfire on October 14 and has since has burned through 74,000 hectares.
Elsewhere in Queensland, Brisbane will reach 32C on Sunday and peak at 34C on Wednesday.
Toowoomba and Gympie have maximums of 35C forecast for Sunday while St George further inland will reach a maximum of 41C.
The terrifying view from the Queensland's mainland of Fraser Island under threat from fires
People flocked to Bronte Beach on Saturday (pictured above) to escape the heatwave
Bondi Beach (pictured above) was swarming with people looking to enjoy a weekend swim
HOTTEST LOCATIONS ACROSS THE WORLD ON SATURDAY
- Marree, South Australia: 46.6C
- Moomba, South Australia: 46.6C
- Olympic Dam, South Australia: 46.6C
- Birdsville, Queensland: 46.5C
- Nullarbor: 46.4C
- Oodnadatta, South Australia: 46.1C
- Woomera, South Australia: 45.7C
- Coober Pedy, South Australia: 45.3C
- Leigh Creek, South Australia: 45.3C
- Wilcannia, New South Wales: 45.2C
There was no cool reprieve for Sydneysiders on Saturday night who sweltered in the overnight temperatures which remained in the 30s.
If it goes past Saturday's temperature of 40.8C, Sunday will be the city's hottest day so far in 2020.
Temperatures will soar past 40C while Penrith and Richmond in the city west will expected to reach the mid-40s.
The temperature had already soared past 36C by mid-morning Sunday.
The Hunter region north of Sydney is also tipped to reach the mid-40s.
'After a hot and uncomfortable night in many places, temperatures are again climbing quickly this morning. For much of the region today will feel a lot like yesterday, but unfortunately the risk of #bushfire will be higher,' the Bureau of Meteorology tweeted.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts the chance of a gusty shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon and early evening in Sydney on Sunday.
Sydneysiders will get a slight reprieve from the heat as the mercury plummets to a top of 24C on Monday before warming up again to 30C on Tuesday.
A total fire ban remains in place across New South Wales on Sunday as firefighters battled more than 100 blazes across the state. Pictured are crews in Berrigan in the Riverina region
Grass and crop fires near Berrigan in the NSW Riverina region has kept crews busy
WEATHER FORECAST IN YOUR CITY
SYDNEY
Sunday: Min 22. Max 40. Sunny.
Monday: Min 19.Max 24. Cloudy.
Tuesday: Min 19. Max 30. Cloudy
Wednesday: Min 20. Max 25. Cloudy
MELBOURNE
Sunday: Min 17. Max 22. Showers.
Monday: Min 13. Max 23. Cloudy.
Tuesday: Min 18. Max 29. Showers.
Wednesday: Min 13. Max 19. Cloudy.
CANBERRA
Sunday: Min 19. Max 33. Cloudy.
Monday: Min 14. Max 30. Sunny.
Tuesday: Min 12. Max 35. Sunny.
Wednesday: Min 11. Max 25. Sunny
DARWIN
Sunday: Min 26. Max 34. Showers.
Monday: Min 26. Max 35. Showers.
Tuesday: Min 26. Max 33. Showers.
Wednesday: Min 26. Max 34. Showers
BRISBANE
Sunday: Min 19. Max 32. Sunny.
Monday: Min 21. Max 33. Sunny.
Tuesday: Min 23. Max 21. Cloudy.
Wednesday: Min 23. Max 34. Sunny.
ADELAIDE
Sunday: Min 16. Max 27. Partly cloudy.
Monday: Min 14. Max 27. Partly cloudy.
Tuesday: Min 19. Max 28. Showers.
Wednesday: Min 11. Max 26. Cloudy
PERTH
Sunday: Min 11. Max 24. Partly cloudy.
Monday: Min 15. Max 25. Cloudy.
Tuesday: Min 9. Max 24. Sunny
Wednesday: Min 13. Max 30. Sunny
HOBART
Sunday: Min 11. Max 21. Shower.
Monday: Min 11. Max 23. Partly cloudy.
Tuesday: Min 13. Max 24. Showers.
Wednesday: Min 10. Max 18. Windy
Source: Bureau of Meteorology