While fires rage at tourist resorts and smoke covers the land, farmers in New South Wales are still suffering the effects of the ongoing drought.

Years of low rainfall have dried up rivers, dams and boreholes on the usually verdant sheep farms.

Meanwhile, some tourists enjoy spectacular views in the Blue Mountains, views which include plumes of smoke on the horizon from the latest bushfire outbreak

While fires rage at tourrist resorts and smoke covers the land, farmers in New South Wales are still suffering the effects of the ongoing drought. Years of low rainfall have dried up rivers, dams and bore holes on the usually verdant sheep farms. The dried out grass crunshes underfoot, and the parched, cracked earth of this empty dam resembles a poor African country rather than a great trading nation. Meanwhile some tourists enjoy spectacular views in the Blue Mountains, views which include belching smoke on the hosizon from the latest bushfire outbreak