Parts of Australia recorded temperatures nearing 50°C (122°F) on Tuesday, with rural towns in Victoria setting new all-time highs of 48.9°C. Authorities warned of heightened bushfire risks as three fires burned out of control, while Melbourne enacted extreme heat protocols during the Australian Open.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
1. Record-breaking temperatures: Walpeup and Hopetoun in Victoria reached 48.9°C, surpassing the previous record set during the deadly 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Melbourne recorded 45.6°C in some suburbs, its highest in 17 years.
2. Bushfire threats and evacuations: Authorities ordered evacuations in rural areas as strong winds threatened to spread fires, including a blaze in the Otways region that had already burned 10,000 hectares. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of severe heatwave conditions peaking on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Deeper Dive & Context
Heatwave impacts across states
Temperatures exceeded 49°C in New South Wales and South Australia, with Renmark (49.6°C) and Fowlers Gap (49.1°C) also setting records. The heatwave is expected to persist, shifting to north-west NSW and far south-west Queensland by Wednesday.
Australian Open disruptions
At Melbourne Park, organizers closed retractable roofs, postponed outdoor matches, and provided ice packs and fans to players and photographers. Crowds dwindled as temperatures soared, with spectators seeking shade and air-conditioned areas.
Long-term climate trends
The heatwave follows Australia’s fourth-warmest year on record in 2025, with the national average temperature 1.23°C above the 1961–1990 average. Meteorologists noted the heatwave’s intensity and duration as unprecedented in many regions.
Official responses and warnings
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Christie Johnson confirmed a cool change would bring relief to southern Victoria by evening. Meanwhile, the Country Fire Authority’s Jason Heffernan warned of dangerous wind conditions expected to worsen fire risks.