Western Australia heatwave continues as temperatures forecast to hit 45C in Midland, Ellenbrook on Thursday
Tourists flocking to the Kimberley beautiful weather and amazing scenery typically on offer this time of year, are sweltering through record hot temperatures for August. It means those looking to get outside and see the outback are re-working holiday plans to stay safe.
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00:00These tourists came to this famous crossing to see a crocodile, but instead they're copping
00:07searing unseasonable heat.
00:09We've been to the Bungle Bungles, we're now in Kununurra and the temperature's got out
00:14of control.
00:16Every August, visitors flock to the Kimberley expecting clear skies and temperatures in
00:20the mid to high 20s and low 30s.
00:24But this week the mercury has soared as high as 40 degrees, breaking records for what's
00:29supposed to be the cooler time of year.
00:31A third of our group is over 80 so we have to be extremely careful walking up the gorges
00:37and rocky terrain in this heat.
00:40Tour operators are re-jigging activities to keep people safe.
00:44Not doing quite as big of a walk and that way we can get back out of the heat and avoid
00:49any sort of cases of heat stress.
00:54On this family holiday, the kids are keeping cool in a caravan in Kununurra.
00:59They are struggling.
01:00We did the Bungle Bungles the other day and there was a lot that we didn't end up doing
01:05purely because it was just too hot.
01:07The high temperatures are forecast to stick around for another week, making these travellers
01:12nervous about tackling the famous Gibb River Road.
01:15The Gibb is so treacherous, you don't know what could happen out there.
01:19Obviously being off grid you can't just have the luxury of an aircon.
01:22While authorities haven't issued a formal hot weather alert, they're urging those keen
01:27to spend time in the outdoors to take precautions in this remote part of Australia.
01:33The popular tourist town of Broome is also sweltering, with visitors and locals cooling
01:39off at Cable Beach.
01:41We just arrived yesterday so it's nice for us because we've had a very cold winter in
01:46Melbourne and so we're enjoying it.
01:49Swimming and a bit of water play at home, maybe a nice cold shower, cold drinks, yeah.
01:55Ted O'Connor, ABC News.