Weather 2016: Year of massive storms and devastating fires

A fire-blackened sign warning of the
danger of bushfires in Waroona shire.

From January's double-whammy of bushfires and floods to the year's steady stream of brutal storms, Australia copped a battering in 2016.

We take a look back at the photos that defined weather in Australia over the past year.

And if there's one thing to take away from our summary, it's not to cross Mother Nature.

Back in January, New South Wales emergency crews were kept busy as heavy rain lashed the mid north coast and Hunter districts, with both humans and animals needing to be rescued by SES workers.

Newcastle campsites packed with holiday-makers were in the firing line, with one camper putting his kayak to good use.

"It's been pretty crazy, wind blowing all night, we've been up since three o'clock, trying to peg tarps back down and the water's been coming in our tents," one camper said.

Read the ABC story - “Weather 2016: Year of massive storms and devastating fires.”