Shirtless Santas, sunbathers and surfers: Christmas on Bondi Beach
SHIRTLESS Santas lapped up the sunshine on Bondi Beach today as thousands celebrated on the sand.
Surfers and Santas enjoy Christmas on the beach
The beach was full of English backpackers and native Aussies who were topping up their tan, rather than stuffing turkeys.
Surfers took to the waves and crowds of friends gathered on the edge of the ocean, sporting santa hats with their bikinis.
Couples take selfies on the beach as the celebrate Christmas
The heat peaked at 27C in Sydney but it was around 23C on the coast families and strangers played games on the sand.
And while it is the hottest December on record in the UK, Storm Eva has brought wet and windy conditions to most of the country.
Backpackers have celebrated on the beach for many years, calling it an 'Orphans' party' because they are not with their parents.
Backpackers celebrate on Bondi Beach
Christmas Day on Bondi Beach, Australia has attracted thousands
Christmas on Bondi Beach has become a tradition for many
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Christmas celebrations on the beach included surfing, tanning and games dressed as Santa
We’re usually cold and wet and we’re usually inside all day. I have to get a video here and send it to my mum
"It’s very different for us," Gavin Davies, 24, from Wales, said as he wandered on to Bondi Beach for his first Christmas Down Under.
"We’re usually cold and wet and we’re usually inside all day. I have to get a video here and send it to my mum."
And on Boxing Day most of the state will be hit with foul weather, as a vigorous cold front moves in from south of Adelaide.
Sydney's Bondi Beach was packed today as temperatures reached 23C