Australia Weather News

People in Queensland and New South Wales have enthusiastically celebrated the return of rainfall to their towns and cities, dancing and jumping as rain fell on regions hit by drought and bushfires.

More than 100 millimetres of rain fell across parts of drought-stricken Queensland on Friday, with children filmed celebrating the rainfall and dogs shown dashing through puddles in Quilpie, while station workers jumped for joy in the mud as rain fell in Meandarra.

Bowenville farmer Kim Bremner said although some in his area had not received a lot of rain, there may be enough to stop people carting water for a while.

"It's really been a godsend at this time of the year," Mr Bremner said.

"We've had no rain virtually since March last year."

In New South Wales, farmer Bryce Chapman yelled with delight as he filmed himself welcoming rainfall west of Karuah.

Video showed water flowing through Halls Creek near Bingara in northern NSW for the first time in five years, as cattle grazier Dan Landers used the heavy rain in Glen Innes to do some impromptu wakeboarding.

The rainfall across the state brings some relief to areas hit by recent bushfires and drought, with more rain expected this weekend.

On the Central Coast, Australian Reptile Park Director Tim Faulkner said staff had recently been preparing for bushfires — but spent Friday closed, trying to protect animals and buildings from flash flooding.

"This is incredible. Just last week, we were having daily meetings to discuss the imminent threat of bushfires," Mr Faulkner said.

"We haven't seen flooding like this at the park for over 15 years."

The wet weather hasn't just been welcomed in the regions.

Sydney's Centennial Parklands posted photos to Twitter on Friday showing the transformation of Busbys Pond after Sydney copped a drenching this week.

The rain on Friday morning inspired Sydneysiders to do their own celebrating.

Falls continued on Friday night, with puddles forming around the city's tourist landmark.

Earlier in the week, Cunnamulla man Fred Wharton captured his nephews Joshua and Jamaine playing in the mud after an extended dry period for the region which included temperatures as high as 46 degrees Celsius.

An estimated 33mm of rain fell on the town on Wednesday, to the delight of the youngsters.

"It's the best rain I've seen here for a while," Mr Wharton said.

"There were two little bursts of it, the first one seems to be the heaviest of it and then there was a follow-up little storm after that.

"Next minute I hear the young fella's outside screaming, went outside and here they are running up and down in the water — they just loved it."

Other children celebrated the long-awaited rainfall in similar style across Queensland and New South Wales on Wednesday, with children filmed playing in the mud in Winton and others filmed playing in the rain in Springsure.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts showers will be concentrated over the north and east of New South Wales on Saturday and Sunday, while wet weather in Queensland is expected to ease by the end of the weekend.

ABC