Australians take to the water to escape blistering heatwave

Southern Australia swelters under a severe heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40°C and authorities issuing extreme heat and fire warnings. Residents seek relief at beaches and pools as conditions mirror the intensity of the 2019 Black Summer.

Reuters

7 January 2026

People watch as yachts race out of Sydney Harbour during the start of the 80th edition of The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day in Sydney, Australia December 26, 2025.

Hollie Adams/Reuters

Residents across Australia’s south flocked to beaches and pools on Wednesday (January 7) to escape a severe heatwave that delivered temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in some cities.

In Victoria, where temperatures reached up to 44C (111.2F), and 41C (105.8F) in the capital of Melbourne, authorities advised residents to stay indoors and keep themselves hydrated.

Meteorologists said the conditions were at their worst in six years, back when catastrophic bushfires destroyed wide swathes of southeastern Australia, killing 33, in the so-called Black Summer.

Temperatures also soared to 31C (87.8F) in Sydney, 32C (89.6F) in Perth and 43C (109.4F) in Adelaide.

The nation's weather bureau issued severe or extreme heat warnings in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. It also warned of extreme fire danger across South Australia and Victoria.

Production: James Redmayne/Reuters