Tathra bushfire: Aerial images reveal devastation of blaze

Aerial images have revealed the scale of the devastation in the seaside town of Tathra, which was ravaged by a fierce bushfire yesterday.

At least 69 homes were destroyed when the fire swept through the NSW South Coast town that is home to about 1600 people.

The fire was indiscriminate; while large sections of Tartha were untouched by fire, several streets had multiple homes completely destroyed.

Homes and buildings were lost on Panorama Drive, Ocean View Drive, Francis Hollis Drive, Wildlife Drive and Haven Place.

The town's caravan park near the beach also was in the fire's path.

RESIDENTS HUDDLED ON BEACH AS FIRE TORE THROUGH TOWN

LOCALS FOUGHT WALL OF FLAMES WITH GARDEN HOSES

Mayor of the Bega Valley Shire, Kristy McBain, said locals would band together to rebuild the town.

"The one thing I do know is that we've got a brilliant, resilient community here and people have been chipping in since last night doing whatever they can to support people here in Tathra," she told 9NEWS.

"I'm very grateful to the firies and volunteer firefighters who have done so much.

"Without their assistance we might be in a much worse place than we are right now."