NSW south coast town Tathra ravaged by bushfire

Authorities are due to arrive in Tathra, on NSW's far south coast, to assess the damage caused by a bushfire that tore through the town.

Dozens of homes have been destroyed or damaged by an out-of-control bush fire in Tathra. Source: AAP

A seaside town on NSW's far south coast has been left devastated after a fast-moving bushfire ripped through dozens of homes and businesses.

It's feared up to 35 properties, including a popular caravan park, in Tathra east of Bega were destroyed in the fast-moving blaze that broke out on Sunday.

The fire, fanned by very strong winds and high temperatures in the state's east, burned through several kilometres of bushland and crossed a river before it reached the picturesque township.

The NSW Rural Fire Service says the 1000-hectare blaze is still out of control.