Christmas Day at the beach an Aussie tradition

Visitors from the northern hemisphere swapped out a white Christmas for white sandy beaches today as Perth’s swimming hotspots became packed with families celebrating the holiday the Australian way.

As parts of Perth and surrounds sweltered through temperatures up to 39C on Christmas Day, thousands of people gathered beach towels and backyard cricket sets to spend the holiday on the beach.

Scarborough and Cottesloe were packed this morning, with children enjoying the surf and tourists perfecting their Perth summer tans.

For some, the event is a long-going tradition.

Jacque Bown said the family headed out to the beach every Christmas morning to meet with friends and have a swim before the rest of the day’s activities.

“The weather today is perfect,” she said.

“It’s busier than it’s been for about four years.”

For others, it’s the first time they’ve been altogether for Christmas, and maybe the start of a new tradition.

Evangeline Skeme, Sophie Furguson and Alex Furguson, originally from England, were sporting festive elf hats on Scarborough beach today.

Regina, Rebecca and Laura Foley were also bringing the Christmas spirit with matching Christmas sweater-style swimwear.

“They were from Santa, but we think Santa shops at the Cancer Council,” Laura Foley said.

Laura and Rebecca are both visiting Perth for the holidays from their new homes of Canada and the US, said they were relieved to have escaped the freezing cold.

Meanwhile, dozens of families enjoyed a Christmas lunch under the shade of the Matilda Bay trees, where swans came to pay visit to some young swimmers.

The Notaras family were spending their first Christmas by the river today but were planning to make it an annual tradition.

Eight-year-old Loukas and his brother George said despite receiving a BMX bike today, the highlight of the day had been spending quality time with his family.

Further down the river, another family was enjoying the hot whether — a far cry from the snow and icy winds of Sweden, Belgian, Scotland, Germany and England this time of year.

The multicultural clan, most of whom have been in Australia for several years, were enjoying the convenience of Matilda Bay, with the adults relaxing in the shade while the children — Linnéa and Marley Pericles, Isla and Liv Tedeschi and Harry Stott — cooled down in the water.

This year, more than 300 West Aussies volunteered their time to help give more than 1400 homeless and struggling people a meal at Mission Australia’s Christmas Lunch in the Park at Wellington Square.

North of Perth, Pearce reached a scorching 39.4C just after 2pm today and the Swan Valley 37.9C, while the temperature at Perth airport was 36.7C at 1.30pm.

Residents will get a reprieve from the heat between Boxing Day and the New Year, with the weather set to stay below 30C from Friday to New Year’s Eve.