Thousands of Aussies embrace the Christmas season and hit Bondi Beach in very festive summer outfits
Thousands of people flocked to the beach to celebrate Christmas after wet weather nearly ruined the holiday and before thunderstorms are forecast to hit Australia’s east coast again this evening.
Bondi Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs was full of families and friends celebrating Christmas, many dressed in festive attire for the holiday season.
Santa hats, Christmas-themed jumpers and red bikinis were spotted all along the famous beach.
A Christmas tree was set up in the sand and one woman was seen surfing in a Santa suit and matching hat.
Temperatures in Bondi soared to 25C on Monday with the sun emerging in the afternoon after a cloudy morning.
Australians and tourists enjoying Christmas Down Under flocked to the beach to celebrate the festive season.
Bondi Beach was full of visitors on Christmas Day
Tens of thousands of Australians were spotted soaking up the sun on Bondi Beach.
The spirit of Christmas has filled Bondi Beach in Sydney’s east.
On Monday, many were seen in Christmas attire.
One woman made sure to dress for the occasion and was spotted head to toe in red in a tailored Christmas outfit.
Red swim trunks were popular among those heading to Bondi over Christmas for the festive season.
Two friends enjoying drinks on Bondi Beach
One woman soaks up the sun in front of Bondi’s Christmas tree.
One man wore a Christmas jumper while swimming in the ocean in Bondi.
Beachgoers can be seen at Bondi Beach on a beautiful sunny day.
Many Sydneysiders have decided to wear red swim trunks to celebrate the Christmas holidays.
On Monday the beach was full of swimmers enjoying their swim.
One man is seen wearing a Christmas outfit with a Santa Claus headband.
Beachgoers will breathe a sigh of relief to see sunshine after stormy weather hit Sydney on Christmas Eve.
As buses moved between terminals, the asphalt at Sydney International Airport was flooded with water, and water also entered the baggage claim area.
In just an hour and a half, 64 mm of rain fell at the airport. Little Bay, in the east of the city, was hit by a 56mm shell in just one hour.
NSW Emergency Services responded to more than 200 incidents in just three hours on Sunday, including 21 flood rescues, for a total of 492 calls for help on Sunday.
Flash flooding was also seen in the east of the city, with cars being swept away in Kensington.
In Victoria, more than 17,000 residents were left without power on Sunday.
A heavy band of rain is forecast to hit Canberra on Monday, with the weather system bringing up to 50mm of rain.
Wet and stormy weather is also expected in Brisbane on Monday and Boxing Day.
Queenslanders will enjoy warm weather, with temperatures reaching 33C in the capital over Christmas.
Angus Hynes from the Bureau of Meteorology said the wet weather would continue for several days, including the threat of more severe thunderstorms.
“There is potential in the atmosphere right now for these kinds of severe storms,” he said.
“Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne have a chance of thunderstorms or possibly even severe storms. There is a risk of thundery weather in all these capitals over Christmas,” he said.
Aussies flock to Bondi Beach in their Christmas best.
One woman wore a bauble headband during her visit to Bondi over Christmas.
One woman brought a Christmas hat to the beach on Monday.
Two women were spotted wearing reindeer ears after a day at the beach
One woman donned a Santa suit and matching hat as she rode the waves on Christmas Day.
Volunteer rescuers also got into the New Year’s spirit.
Two British tourists in Bondi swim trunks and Santa hats celebrate Christmas in the Underground.
One man was seen wearing festive glasses while traveling to Bondi over Christmas.
Santa hats were spotted on the sand at Bondi Beach on Monday.
One group of friends had a Christmas picnic on Bondi Beach.
A group of friends are seen enjoying champagne as they head to the beach for Christmas.