Wollongong reached 33 degrees on Sunday - 11 degrees above average - but it will need to climb further to break the scorching 38.8 degree record of October 13, 2004.  

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Katarina Kovacevic said both Albion Park and Kiama rose 10 degrees above their average temperatures for the Sunday of the October long weekend. 

‘‘We’ve had a high in the north-eastern part of the state and that’s been directing a north-westerly warm air mass over NSW,’’ Ms Kovacevic said. 

‘‘We’re in a period of El Nino and that means we’re more likely to have warmer than average temperatures.’’  

Many sought solace on the beaches over the weekend although some beach-goers discovered they weren’t the only ones flocking to the ocean, with bluebottles invading the shoreline at Thirroul in particular.

Four highly modified animals merge together to form a bluebottle, although most people would only be concerned about the tentacles.

Surf Life Saving Illawarra director Anthony Turner said the tentacles could be up a couple of metres long and have little barbs on them, which gave a nasty sting if touched.

‘‘They’re nasty things, but generally the ones we get here seem to be about two foot long,’’ said Mr Turner.

‘‘If you are stung, the treatment is to use some tweezers or clothing to pull the tentacle off the person, then have a warm shower and a half hour later, hopefully you're alright.’’

The warm water helped to neutralise the sting, although some people could have a severe reaction and need further attention.

‘‘Some people's glands do swell around their groins or armpits and some people do have breathing difficulties, but they're rare cases,’’ Mr Turner said. ‘’If that happens, we do seek medical advice and treatment for them, we do call an ambulance.’’

If people were stung, he warned them not to rub the area and instead wash it with seawater or fresh water.