Thousands of homes have been blacked out while hundreds have been left without electricity as Australia is in the grips of a scorching heatwave.
The country, currently in its summer season, has seen more than 3,000 homes lose power across Melbourne and Adelaide as temperatures pass 104F (40C).
While tourists have been flocking to the beaches, residents are facing at least another week of highs of 107F (42C).
The blazing weather has been sweeping its way over the island, with Sydney forecast to get its hit on Sunday with it reaching 100F (38C) in the city and over 104F in the western suburbs.
The intense temperatures drove many people to the coast and to seek out a refreshing beverage
While bushfires were breaking out in Melbourne’s southeast and western suburbs, some residents were relaxing on the beach
Melbourne beaches were packed on the first Saturday in January as sweltering heat hit the city
The extreme heatwave in southern Australia has caused blackouts and left thousands of homes in Melbourne without power
More than 3000 homes in the city are without power as the heatwave continues
Temperatures are expected to reach 40C in both Sydney and Melbourne, and a total fire ban has been issued for Victoria
People have flocked to the beach to make the most of the warm weather in Melbourne
Punters queue up for an ice cream as a way to cool off during the heatwave
Beachgoers take shade as the extreme heat hits Melbourne
Lying in the water proved to be a popular option to beat the heat
A heatwave has made its way across Australia and is roasting southern Australia
A 10km stretch of the Hume Highway, which runs between Sydney and Melbourne, has also begun to melt as a result of the heat.
More than 2300 homes in Caroline Springs in Melbourne’s west suffered power failures as air-conditioning demand soared, while Taylors Hill, Ravenhall, Burnside and Truganina were also affected.
About 450 homes in Warrandyte and Kangaroo also lost power.
A fire broke out at a home in Carrum Downs, Melbourne as emergency services battled bushfires in the area.
A Powercor spokeswoman told news.com.au crews are working to restore the power, but the cause of the outage is unknown.
It was the hottest day to hit the state in two years, and it began at a scorching 31C at 9am.
Beaches were packed across the city on Saturday
It is the hottest day to hit the state in two years, and it began at a scorching 31C at 9am
The temperature in the city reached 37C at 1pm as parts of Victoria hit more than 40C
Melburnians were looking for any relief from the sun they could find
Swimming in the ocean was one way people looked to deal with the heatwave
The warm temperatures are expected to last into the evening in Melbourne
The hot weather continued in Melbourne until 10pm on Saturday night when a welcome cool change arrived.
Temperatures in the Victorian state capital were forecast to only reach 21 on Sunday – a full 20 degrees lower than Saturday.
The national capital Canberra, which normally escapes the extreme summer weather, also suffered on Saturday as temperatures passed 38C.
Parts of South Australia reached 46 degrees on Saturday, with 41 in the capital city Adelaide.
Melburnians are pictured relaxing on board a boat as the city deals with an intense heatwave
A man feeds seagulls at a beach in Melbourne
The hot weather is expected to continue in Melbourne until 10pm on Saturday night
Homes set ablaze and residents advised to evacuate as a huge out-of-control fire ravages Melbourne suburb while farmers combat a ‘wall of flame’ in South Australia
Firefighters are battling an out-of-control blaze that is threatening a number of suburban homes.
The bushfire has already damaged at least one house in Carrum Downs in southeast Melbourne.
Residents have been ordered to leave their homes although a late-afternoon wind change has come through and fire crews are combating the blaze.
In Melbourne’s west an out-of-control grassfire is travelling in a northerly direction towards Eynesbury township, and residents have been asked to leave.
Residents have been ordered to leave their homes, with a wind change expected in the next 30 minutes that could impact homes in nearby streets
One of two firefighting helicopters fighting the fire drops water at Carrum Downs in Melbourne
Firefighters are battling an out-of-control blaze that is threatening a number of suburban homes
‘Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very quickly,’ Vic Emergency warned residents of Carrum Downs, Frankston North, Langwarrin and Skye.
‘Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.’
The fire broke out on Blue Wren Rise in Carrum Downs at about 2.40pm, and thirty crews of firefighters were sent in response.
The bushfire is now travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Lexton Drive.
Two fire helicopters were ordered to the scene and water-bombed the blaze from the air, joined by fire crews on the ground.
Residents should remember to take pets, mobile phone and medications, and travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area.
‘Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very quickly,’ Vic Emergency warned
A bushfire breaks out of control near the Peninsula link Freeway in Carrum Downs, Melbourne
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, according to CFA Assistant Chief Officer Trevor Owens, The Herald Sun reported.
The fire damaged 10 hectares of land, one home, four sheds and fencing, and over 300 firefighters were involved in combating the blaze.
‘It traveled several kilometres in the first hour. A lot of embers were being thrown up in front of the fire which caused a lot of concern,’ he said.
‘Firefighters have made a tremendous effort to get in top of what has been a difficult day of extreme heat, low humidity and strong northerly winds. It was a very very good outcome.’