It hasn't been pretty. None really where I am (Lake Macquarie, NSW - Google it). But really bad down further south in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Kangaroo Island, one of the nicest places to visit in Australia has been devastated. We stayed in this place just over a year ago in Emu Bay (link below) and drove all over the island. Found out (much to my Mrs pleasure) that Thor (Chris Hemsworth) had stayed in the same house earlier that year.
If anyone here is thinking of a Holiday to Australia over the next year, Queensland has NOT been affected by Bushfires nor is most of NSW, NT, Tasmania and WA. Remember in square kM Australia is roughly the same size as the USA or Canada (Australia is about 8 million square kM, USA and Canada are between 9-10 million but lots not really accessible all year-round unlike Australia). If you lay Australia over the USA, the badly fire affected areas would be Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and parts of South Carolina. Plus "Kangaroo Island" south of Texas.
Kangaroo Island needs Tourism to survive, within 12 months it will hopefully be back up and running and the big attractions will still be there (Seal Bay and Remarkable Rocks for example), just the bush in between will show remnants of the fire. Whilstever they can stay afloat (due to drops in tourist numbers) you still will be able to swim with dolphins, and visit wineries, sample local cottage industry food etc. There is one of the best Gin distilleries you'll ever visit on the island - I don't like Gin but the Gin made there is like heaven to drink straight! Remember Australian flora regenerates with fire, it will regrow quickly in most cases. Lots of Koalas lost on the Island, but these were introduced off the mainland and had actually become a pest, which is a shame as they are becoming endangered on the mainland. There is no predators for them on the island, and when they take them over to the mainland they don't survive as they do not have the istincts.
