The fires that have swept through swaths of New South Wales and Queensland in the past fortnight have destroyed homes, livelihoods and lives.

They've also seen the nation rally in a heartwarming show of support for those affected.

Here is a snapshot of the past week's devastation in a series of 'before and after' images.



Charles Hamey Lookout at Camden Head, near Port Macquarie during the NSW bushfires. / What a difference a week makes during a bushfire. This photo was taken from Charles Hamey Lookout at Camden Head, near Port Macquarie. (Instagram/bennywaters)

Homes in South Turramurra on Sydney's North Shore were cloaked in pink after a chemical fire retardant was dropped to protect houses on Canoon Road and Barwon Avenue.

(AAP / Google Street View)

The view from Lighthouse Beach at Port Macquarie during the height of the smoke haze late last week.

(Supplied / Twitter/ Kev T)

A National Parks and Wildlife crew were forced to retreat to a roadblock as the Hillville fire burnt along Bullocky Way, Possum Brush, in the Mid North Coast region of NSW on Tuesday.

(AAP / Google Street View)

(AAP / Google)