The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for heatwave this week, from Tuesday, 6 January 2026 through to Saturday, 10 January 2026, with severe to extreme conditions forecast for northeast Victoria.
Heatwaves bring increased risk for many people, including babies, children, seniors, pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions, and people who are already unwell.
The Victorian Department of Health recommends that people can prevent the impacts of a heatwave and stay cool by taking the following actions:
- If at home and if available, use a fan or air-conditioner to cool down, or take a cool shower
- Wear light and loose clothing
- Keep skin cool by using a spray bottle or damp cloth
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, including carrying water when outdoors
- Have a plan to stay cool, including cancelling or rescheduling activities to a cooler time of day
- Check the weather forecast regularly
- Check in with family, friends, and neighbours
Opening hours for Alpine Shire Council facilities have also been extended from Wednesday, 7 January 2026 through to Saturday, 10 January 2026 for people who are unable to stay cool within their homes.
These facilities will be open as per their normal operating hours after Saturday, 10 January 2026.
| Facility | Bright | Mount Beauty | Myrtleford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Libraries |
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| Swimming pools | Indoor pool at Bright Sports Centre
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| Splash parks |
| Located within Mount Beauty Swimming Pool
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| Visitor Information Centres |
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Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre will be open as a free place for people to keep cool from 10am to 6pm on Wednesday, 7 January through to Friday, 9 January as part of their Cooler Places Heat Wave Plan.
Refreshments will be provided and everyone is welcome, including children. However, all children must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
For more information about Council facilities, including their locations and opening and closing hours, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/things-do
The website for the Victorian Department of Health has information about what to do before, during, and after a heatwave. For more, visit https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/survive-heat
Edit | A previous version of this media release stated that Mount Beauty Swimming Pool will be open from 6am to 10am. This is incorrect and has been updated. Mount Beauty Swimming Pool will be open from 6.30am to 10.30am on Thursday, 8 January 2026 and Friday, 9 January 2026.
The following media release was originally posted on January 5, 2026.
Victoria's Country Fire Authority (CFA) has urged all people living in and visiting Victoria to prepare for warmer-than-average temperatures this summer.
Despite recent rainfall, there is an increased risk of heatwave and fire danger, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) already having issued warnings for severe heatwaves in late 2025.
A heatwave is a period of above-average hot weather generally lasting more than two days.
They can cover a large area, with the potential to expose a high number of people to hazardous heat and affect critical infrastructure, such as residential and commercial electricity supply.
Heatwaves bring increased risk for many people, including babies, children, seniors, pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions, and people who are already unwell.
The Victorian Department of Health recommends that people can prevent the impacts of a heatwave and stay cool by taking the following actions:
- If at home and if available, use a fan or air-conditioner to cool down, or take a cool shower
- Wear light and loose clothing
- Keep skin cool by using a spray bottle or damp cloth
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, including carrying water when outdoors
- Have a plan to stay cool, including cancelling or rescheduling activities to a cooler time of day
- Check the weather forecast regularly
- Check in with family, friends, and neighbours
Alpine Shire Council facilities are also available to people who are unable to stay cool within their homes during the following hours:
| Facility | Bright | Mount Beauty | Myrtleford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Libraries |
|
|
|
| Swimming pools | Indoor pool at Bright Sports Centre
|
|
|
| Splash parks |
| Located within Mount Beauty Swimming Pool
|
|
| Visitor Information Centres |
|
| Monday - Sunday: 9am - 3pm |
Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre will be open as a free place for people to keep cool from 1pm to 6pm on Wednesday, 6 January through to Friday, 9 January as part of their Cooler Places Heat Wave Plan.
Refreshments will be provided and everyone is welcome, including children. However, all children must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
For more information about Council facilities, including their locations and opening and closing hours, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/things-do
The website for the Victorian Department of Health has information about what to do before, during, and after a heatwave. For more, visit https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/survive-heat
The following media release was originally posted on December 18, 2025.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for a heatwave from Thursday, 18 December 2025 through to Saturday, 20 December 2025.
Heatwaves bring increased risk for many people, including babies, children, seniors, pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions, and people who are already unwell.
The Victorian Department of Health recommends that people can prevent the impacts of a heatwave and stay cool by taking the following actions:
- If at home and if available, use a fan or air-conditioner to cool down, or take a cool shower
- Wear light and loose clothing
- Keep skin cool by using a spray bottle or damp cloth
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, including carrying water when outdoors
- Have a plan to stay cool, including cancelling or rescheduling activities to a cooler time of day
- Check the weather forecast regularly
- Check in with family, friends, and neighbours
Alpine Shire Council facilities are also available to people who are unable to stay cool within their homes:
- Library hours across Bright, Mount Beauty, and Myrtleford have been extended until 7pm on Friday, 19 December 2025.
- Swimming pools in Mount Beauty and Myrtleford are open from 3.30pm to 6.30pm from Monday through to Friday, and 1pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
- Splash parks in Bright and Myrtleford are available during daylight hours throughout the week.
- Visitor Information Centres are open from 9am to 5pm in Bright, 9.30pm to 4pm in Mount Beauty, and 9am to 3pm in Myrtleford.
Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre is available between 10am and 3pm on weekdays as a cool place to visit, as is Myrtleford RSL. Myrtleford RSL is open between 4pm and 6pm on Thursday, 18 December 2025 and between 11am and 6pm on Friday, 19 December 2025 and Saturday, 20 December 2025.
For more information about Alpine Shire Council facilities, including their locations and opening and closing hours, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/things-do
The website for the Victorian Department of Health has information about what to do before, during, and after a heatwave. For more, visit https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/survive-heat