VICTORIA and southern NSW has enjoyed its wettest start to the year in more than three decades, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Some areas, notably in Victoria's central north and North East, have recorded their highest rainfall on record for the first three months of the year.

Other areas have received their best drenching in at least 10 years and most areas recorded above average falls between January and March.

"It's the best start to a season for a long time and there's a feeling of optimism growing that things are starting to come back," Victorian Farmers Federation president Andrew Broad said.

But the bureau cautioned that, while offering much-needed relief, the early-year rain hadn't offset the full impact of prolonged drought and poor rainfall.

"While recent rain in eastern Australia has provided, in many cases, short-term relief, sustained periods of above-average rainfall are needed to remove these very long-term deficiencies," the bureau said in its latest drought statement released last week.

"These long-term deficiencies have taken place against a background of well-above-average temperatures, including Australia's warmest decade on record."

According to the bureau, southern NSW enjoyed some of the best soakings in the first three months of the year.

Deniliquin, Hay and Wagga Wagga recorded rainfall of 222mm, 200.2mm and 265.6mm respectively, 140-150mm higher than their long-term averages.

Victoria's north east also received more than double its long-term average rainfall between January and March.

Victoria's central northern regions copped a similar soaking, with more than 173mm falling on Bendigo. Many areas in the Wimmera also received good falls - on average about 37 per cent above normal.

Horsham received 94mm, well above its average 59mm.

Rainfall across the Mallee was slightly above average.

Mildura received more than 64mm, 10 per cent above normal, while further south, Manangatang and Sea Lake both got more than 100mm, well above their long-term averages of 60-70mm.

In the west, Ballarat received 169mm, about 45mm more than its long-term average, while Casterton in the far south west received slightly less than its normal 90mm.

East Gippsland was about 15 per cent up on its long-term average, while West Gippsland was about 13 per cent up.

Sale recorded more than 152mm, compared with its long term average of 136mm.