Sydney’s Royal National Park to remain closed as bushfire tears through 600 hectares

The Royal National Park south of Sydney will remain closed today after an out-of-control fire tore through bushland and forced hundreds of hikers and tourists to be rescued by boat.

Sydney's Royal National Park will remain closed after a fire tore through bushland on Saturday. (AAP) Source: AAP

The blaze - that started yesterday - has burnt through more than 600 hectares, with firefighters working through the night to contain it.

The national park will remain closed with access only for residents.

Much of NSW is set to endure another sweltering day as Sydney's west heads for a third consecutive maximum of 40 degrees.

Ivanhoe in the state's west will see the mecury rise to 46.

Meanwhile, heatwave conditions persist in northern Victoria.

17 major centres are expected to endure a high of at least 40 degrees today