However, the nation as a whole experienced its warmest second half of the year (from July to December) and the decade from 2000 to 2009 has been recorded as our hottest yet.

Individual states of NSW, Victoria and South Australia all also recorded their warmest second half, particularly in Victoria where a new record maximum of 48.8 degrees Celsius was achieved at Hopetoun.

Melbourne also recorded a new maximum of 46.4 degrees Celsius, as did Scamander in Tasmania at 42.4 degrees Celsius.

But it wasn't just hot - it was also a drier-than-average year with a 453-milimetre average recorded, slightly below the long-term average of 464mm.

It was particularly dry across parts of Queensland and NSW, coinciding with developing El Nino patterns.

And it was a year of flooding rains - particularly in May in parts of Queensland and NSW where monthly rainfall figures were the highest on record, and at year's end.