The first evacuees from the fire-besieged holiday town of Mallacoota have arrived at a Victorian port.
HMAS Sycamore docked earlier than expected at Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula on Saturday, carrying about 60 people fleeing the deadly fires raging in Victoria's east.
Among the group were 16-year-olds Darcy Brown, Emily Wellington and Tahnee Meehan.
Upon landing at Hastings, the girls told reporters it had been a frightening week, made more stressful because of their asthma.
(L-R) Emily Wellington, Tahnee Meehan and Darcy Brown arrrive at the port of Hastings on MV Sycamore. Source: AAP
They described how the sky went red, then black as fire started to rain down on Mallacoota.
"It was like 9am, 10am in the morning looking like 12 o'clock at night. Very frightening," Darcy said.
Emily had gone to Mallacoota for an annual Christmas holiday with Tahnee's family and they formed a strong bond with Darcy during the evacuation.
Tahnee and Darcy's families stayed in Mallacoota to defend property.
The girls said the journey to Hastings was quiet because everyone seemed so relaxed about making it out to safety.
For now, their aim is showers and to hug their loved ones.
The navy ship MV Sycamore arrives at the port of Hastings with evacuees from Mallacoota. Source: NEWS CORP POOL
"Stuff all the clothes in the washing machine," Darcy said.
More people will be carried to safety on HMAS Choules, which is also on its way to Hastings.
After disembarking the ships, evacuees are going to a relief centre at nearby Sommerville.
The ships will then resupply and head back to collect more people from Mallacoota where more than 4400 people registered to leave by boat.
