THE drought in southeast Australia continues to break records, with Victoria missing out on nearly two-years worth of rain since it began, according to the Bureau of Meterology.

The Bureau’s Head of Climate Analysis Dr David Jones said the lack of rain over a number of years continues to be at, or near, record levels over many parts of southern Australia.

In south-eastern Australia, and particularly in Victoria and Tasmania, the past three year’s rainfalls in many places are now at the lowest level ever recorded. This includes many areas critical for inflows into the southern part of the Murray-Darling system..

Dr Jones said there are few signs that the drought in south-eastern Australia is letting up.

"It’s been eight years since we last recorded widespread, above-average rainfall across inland eastern Australia, including most of the Murray-Darling Basin,'' Dr Jones said.

"And since the drought began, Victoria alone has missed out on nearly two years worth of normal rainfall.''

In contrast much of northern Australia continues to experience well above average rainfall, with record high rainfall widespread about the Kimberly, Top End, and parts of the Cape York Peninsula.

Dr Jones said while similar periods of drought occurred in the middle of last century, this had also been the hottest drought on record, adding to the impact.

The heat is expected to continue this weekend with with temperatures of 30C and above expected for Mildura, Victoria.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a maximum of 30C tomorrow and 32C on Sunday for Mildura, before a cooler change on Monday with a few showers and maximum of 22C.

The mercury will be rising in Swan Hill too this weekend with 30C forecast on Saturday, 31C on Sunday and 22C on Monday.

Bendigo and Shepparton are expected to be slightly cooler on Saturday with 26C and 27C forecast respectively.Albury and Wangaratta are expected to reach 26C on Saturday.