West Australians have traded roasting ovens for roasting sands this Christmas, as a severe heatwave prompted a mass exodus to the coastline. With Perth sweltering under extreme temperatures, the city's pristine beaches became the festive gathering point for families and friends clad in Santa hats and Christmas-themed swimwear.
Record-Breaking Heat Defines Festive Day
The mercury in Perth climbed relentlessly on Christmas Day, peaking at a scorching 41.3 degrees Celsius just after 1:30 pm. This made it the city's hottest Christmas since 2021, which itself holds the record for the warmest ever. While the night offered slight relief, the minimum temperature only dropped to 24.2C before dawn, though this was notably below the record high minimum of 25.9C set in 1915.
By mid-morning, with temperatures already in the high 30s, popular spots like City Beach were packed. The conditions, featuring calm seas and a gentle breeze, were ideal for those seeking refuge from the blistering sun. Groups celebrated with shared food and drinks, many coordinating in matching festive shirts.
Beachside Celebrations and Adapted Traditions
For locals like Nick Slattery, who spent the morning at the beach with family before a large lunch, adapting plans was key to surviving the heat. "We will have a water pistol fight at the end of the day to really cool ourselves down," he said, outlining a strategy that also involved hoses, ice, and air conditioning at full blast.
His family's menu showcased a classic Australian Christmas fusion, starting with seafood like prawns and lobster before moving to traditional roast pork and turkey. The grand finale was a homemade Christmas pudding, prepared by his mother since November.
The beach was also a hub for visitors experiencing an Aussie Christmas for the first time. Gráinne Arkins, from Ireland, was celebrating with friends also from the UK and Ireland. "It's a bit different from a Christmas at home but yeah, it'll be unreal," she remarked. Her day blended home comforts with local style, featuring a full Irish breakfast followed by a barbecue dinner.
Cooling Off Across Perth and a Nation's Weather Divide
The search for cool relief wasn't confined to the ocean. Matilda Bay, on the Swan River, proved equally popular. Russell Boulden was there with his family, testing out a new paddleboard received as a Christmas gift. "After the hot weather we've had, it's bloody brilliant down here," he said, describing a day that began with presents and a cooked breakfast at home.
While Perth baked, the festive weather painted a dramatically different picture across Australia. In a stark contrast, Kunanyi/Mount Wellington near Hobart in Tasmania welcomed a white Christmas with a dusting of snow. Most mainland capitals enjoyed mild conditions in the mid-twenties to early thirties, though Melbourne residents shivered through a maximum of just 17C.
Elsewhere, the Cocos Islands had a near brush with Tropical Cyclone Grant, which brought strong winds and heavy rain before conditions eased. In Sydney, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a Christmas message at a homelessness charity, acknowledging the recent Bondi tragedy and emphasising hope and unity during the festive season.
