Melbourne’s outer suburbs copped the worst of Thursday’s hot spell with some areas sweltering through 40 degree temperatures.

Essendon Airport, in Melbourne’s north-west recorded a top of 40.3 degrees, while temperatures rose to 40.8 degrees in Viewbank, in the city’s north-east.

Beachgoers tried to find some relief at the St Kilda foreshore on Thursday. Credit:David Crosling

Melbourne CBD reached a top of 37.4 degrees just before 5.30pm, with temperatures hovering around 34 degrees at 7pm.

There was some relief from the heat for beachgoers, with the Port Phillip Bay generally cooler than the suburbs thanks to a weak sea breeze. Geelong recorded a maximum temperature of 35.1 degrees and Moorabbin a maximum temperature of 37.1 degrees.