Australia facing big summer deluge for weekend

Central Victoria has borne the brunt of sweeping heavy rains today, with flash flooding creating rivers in Bendigo.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicted falls up to 80mm across the weekend, with more than 100mm in the northeast ranges and state’s northwest.

Further along the Mornington Peninsula, campers at Rosebud weren't about to pack it in despite the inclement weather.

“Our family’s been coming here for 40 years this summer, rain hail or shine, we’re here,” Caren Dunn said.

At Portsea, preparations for tomorrow's polo were in full swing, despite the gloomy forecast, but punters were urged to come dressed for rain.

The Bureau has said the falls will be evenly spread with Melbourne expected to receive between 10-20mm each day until at least Tuesday.

Falls have been heaviest in the north-east and east of the state with almost 40mm at Bright and 37mm at Lakes Entrance.

The rest of Australia is also in the midst of a summer storm, with Alice Springs' usually-dry Todd River becoming a deadly raging torrent.

One man drowned while tubing on the river, which is flowing for the first time since April last year.

Firefighting hoses have been replaced with sandbags in South Australia as it prepares for its one-in-30 year flood event.