Thousands of families soak up the glorious Christmas sun at the beach

As Perth awoke to a hot Christmas morning — with the temperature soaring past 35C by midday — thousands flocked to the beach to cool off and frolick in the waves.

West Aussies swarmed Cottesloe Beach on Monday morning equipped with their towels, red and green rashies, Santa hats, cricket sets and snacks to enjoy the surf and perfect their tans.

For some, going to the beach on December 25 is a long-held tradition.

The Hutton family wake up early every year and waddle down to Cottesloe following a massive Christmas Eve feast and an exciting morning opening presents.

“We wake up early and then it’s straight down to the beach,” mum Marani Hutton said.

“Without fail, we go to the beach on every Christmas Day.

“And then we go back and enjoy oysters and champagne and then head over to another family member’s house.”

Visitors from the northern hemisphere swapped out the white Christmas for white sandy beaches, with the popular swimming spot filled with Irish punters celebrating the holiday the Australian way.

A huge group of 150 Irish doctors — who have recently moved to Perth — gathered on the beach and in true Aussie fashion, the men in the group took the opportunity to don their Christmas-themed budgie smugglers.

One of the doctors, Sorcha Leary, said it was the group’s first-ever “hot Christmas”.

“All our family are back home so we will do a barbeque all together later, once all the other doctors finish their shift today,” she said.

“It’s so nice here, there’s such a community atmosphere and so much happening and everyone is very intertwined.”

Di Day hit the sand with her children to show her sister, who was celebrating with them all the way from England, the traditional Aussie way to enjoy the festivities.

“It’s a lovely day, especially for my sister and her kids who are visiting from England. It’s their first time here in Perth,” Ms Day said.

“It’s been weird for the English here being on the beach on Christmas Day, they think it’s very surreal. But they are definitely very much enjoying this tradition.

“I love this tradition and I love Christmas in Perth.”

But they couldn’t spend all day by the water, Ms Day said, as the turkey slow-roasting in the oven would eventually need their attention.

“We have to get home in time, we are timing the cook to perfection for when we arrive back,” she said.

Others to enjoy a Christmas dip with the family were Marco Zecca and Rota Pizzini, while Carolyn Jones and her children Vincent, 8, and eight-month-old Raffy dressed for the part, too.