Severe weather fronts damaged several regions across Australia, including large bushfires that burned through several parts of the state of Tasmania yesterday.

Some 80 wild fires have been burning mostly in the west of the island state since lightning struck on January 13, destroying more than 72,000 hectares of bushland, including 1,000-year-old trees in World Heritage listed forests.

Tasmanian fire-fighters were joined by support teams from other states and from New Zealand as they tackled the blazes in remote terrain.

Up to 40 fire crews worked to contain fires that burnt through large areas of the state's far north-west and forced shack owners to take refuge on beaches.

Rain falling on the area failed to have any impact on the fires.

Police advised residents in Arthur River and Nelson Bay in the state that at least one major road was closed to all traffic except emergency services vehicles.

In New South Wales, authorities worked to clean up today after wild storms lashed the city, leaving more than 70,000 customers without electricity.

Other parts of Australia have been suffering severe storms.

In western Sydney, 200 people were evacuated after storms blew the roof off a four-level unit block.

The State Emergency Service said it had received about 1,000 calls for help.

A tropical cyclone that crossed Australia's northwest coast early today weakened, although several small inland communities were on red alert and the risk of heavy swells, flooding and storm surges remained.