Thousands have flocked to the beach to celebrate Christmas after wet weather nearly ruined the occasion altogether, and before thunderstorms are forecast to strike ‘s east coast again later this evening.
Bondi Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs was packed with families and friends celebrating Christmas Day, with many dressing in festive attire for the holiday season.
Santa hats, Christmas-themed jumpers and red bikinis were spotted as far as the eye could see across the famous beach.
A Christmas tree was set up on the sand while one woman was seen surfing in a Santa suit with a hat to match.
Temperatures soared to 25C in Bondi on Monday with the sun coming out in time for the afternoon following a cloudy morning.
ns and tourists enjoying Christmas Down Under have flocked to the beach to celebrate the festive season
Bondi Beach was packed with visitors on Christmas Day
Tens of thousands of Aussies were seen soaking up the sunshine on Bondi Beach
The Christmas spirit has taken over Bondi Beach in Sydney’s east
Many were seen in Christmas-themed outfits on Monday
One woman made sure to dress up for the occasion and was seen head-to-toe in red in a custom-made Christmas outfit
Red swimmers were popular among those heading to Bondi on Christmas for the festive season
Two mates are seen enjoying some drinks at Bondi Beach
One woman is seen soaking up the sunshine in front of the Christmas tree set up at Bondi
One man wore his Christmas jumper while taking a dip in the ocean at Bondi
Beach goers are seen at Bondi Beach on a beautiful sunny day
Many Sydneysiders chose to wear red swimmers to celebrate the Christmas holidays
The beach was packed with swimmers on Monday enjoying a dip
One man is seen in a Christmas outfit with a Santa Claus headband
Beach-goers will be breathing a sigh of relief to see the sunshine after wild weather lashed Sydney on Christmas Eve.
The tarmac at Sydney International Airport was inundated with water, as buses moved between the terminals, with water also leaking into the baggage claim.
The airport copped 64mm of rain in just one-and-a-half-hours. Little Bay in the city’s east was hit with 56mm in just one hour.
NSW SES responded to more than 200 incidents in a period of just three hours on Sunday, including 21 flood rescues, with 492 calls for help made on Sunday altogether.
Flash flooding was also seen in the city’s east, with cars being swept away in Kensington.
In Victoria more than 17,000 residents were left without power on Sunday.
Canberra was forecast to be hit by a massive band of rain on Monday, with the weather system bringing as much as 50mm.
Brisbane was also set to see wet and stormy conditions on Monday and Boxing Day.
Queenslanders will enjoy some warm weather with the capital to reach 33C on Christmas.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Angus Hines said the wet weather will continue for days, including the threat of more severe thunderstorms.
‘There is the potential in the atmosphere at the moment for generating these large storms,’ he said.
‘There’s a chance of thunder or maybe even severe storms for Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. All of those capitals are seeing a risk of thundery weather on Christmas Day,’ he said.
Aussies are seen in their best Christmas outfits as they flock to Bondi Beach
One woman donned a headband made of baubles for her visit to Bondi on Christmas
One woman brought a Christmas-themed hat to the beach on Monday
Two women are seen in reindeer ears after a day at the beach
One woman donned a Santa suit and matching hat as she hit the waves on Christmas Day
The volunteer lifesavers also got into the Christmas spirit
Two British backpackers are seen in their Bondi swimmers with Santa hats as they celebrate Christmas Down Under
One man is seen in festive glasses during a trip to Bondi on Christmas
Santa hats were seen across the sand on Bondi Beach on Monday
One group of friends enjoyed a Christmas picnic at Bondi Beach
A group of mates are seen enjoying some Champagne as they take to the beach for Christmas