A huge dust storm that swept across South Australia has reached parts of Victoria and New South Wales, dropping red dirt on homes as far east as Melbourne.

Skies turned orange as thunderstorms stirred up dry soil in the outback and strong winds carried it over entire towns.

In Melbourne, the city’s iconic Yarra River turned a dark, muddy brown as the dust settled on the Victorian capital.

Lower clearance than usual for rowers on the Yarra this morning. pic.twitter.com/02dSGHimMR

— Pat Mitchell (@patty_mitchell) January 22, 2020

In Mildura, a six-hour drive northwest of Melbourne, pictures show just how thick the dust became, blanketing roads and making it almost impossible to drive.

Footage of the dust storms captured as they swept through parts of South Australia and NSW were shared around the world overnight.

Foreign reporters dubbed the scenes “apocalyptic”.

The red dust reached Melbourne overnight where storms brought strong winds and some rain and homes were covered in thick dirt.