Heavy rain and strong wind batter Byron Bay

Main Beach at Byron Bay, a popular tourist destination in northern New South Wales state and home to Hollywood A-listers such as Chris Hemsworth, has all but disappeared, Byron Mayor Simon Richardson told media on Monday.

In a video obtained by Reuters, a concrete walkway and a tree along the beach collapsed into the sea after strong waves were seen crashing against an eroded coastline.

The wet conditions contrast with the fierce bushfires that ravaged world heritage listed Fraser Island in Queensland state in recent weeks. On Monday, fire evacuation points on Fraser Island were underwater due to high tides and huge waves.