Shock picture from famous Aussie beach shows bushfire raging near Byron Bay

A bushfire is raging near one of Australia’s most famous beaches, with smoke plumes crowding the horizon.

The out-of-control flames have already burned through 140 hectares of land next to North Belongil beach in Byron Bay, encroaching on residential streets.

Firefighters are entering the second day of trying to control the flames which are burning about 5km northwest of Byron Bay between Bayshore Drive, Black Rock Road and Ewingsdale Road.

Residents and tourists are urged to continue to monitor conditions and check in with the RFS website for updated alerts.

The fire danger in the north of NSW soared to extreme levels on Monday with a total fire ban in place.

An aerial video of the fire zone uses thermal imaging to show the vast stretch of land where the fire is burning and its proximity to the coast.

Beachgoers shared startling images to social media on Sunday showing thick dark plumes of smoke rising from the bushland that backs onto Byron’s famous coastline.

An extreme fire danger warning has been issued for parts of Queensland due to soaring temperatures across the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings for the Darling Downs and Granite Belt west of Brisbane with temperatures set to reach 35 degrees on Monday.

Authorities are managing 18 vegetation fires across the state with more than 60 burning in the last 24 hours, Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said.

A stay informed warning is current for large parts of rural Queensland and authorities are closely monitoring a fire in Deepwater, near Rockhampton.

Aircraft and waterbombing crews are on standby.

The Bureau of Meteorology is expected to provide an update on Monday.