Parts of central Australia have seen their best rain in years as the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Esther track across the country.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther, interacting with a low pressure trough, has caused widespread rain and thunderstorms over the Australian outback during the last couple of days.

Image: Enhanced vis/ir satellite image showing cloud over central Australia on Wednesday morning.

During the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday, some places received their highest daily rainfall in several years. In Queensland, Birdsville (67mm), Boulia (78mm) and Thargomindah (70mm) all saw their heaviest rain in six-to-nine years. By 3pm on Wednesday, the running two-day total at Birdsville had climbed to 112mm, which is more rain than the last 20 months combined.

In NSW, a rain gauge at Fowlers Gap reported a whopping 120.8mm of rain during the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday. If this is accurate, it's their highest daily total in at least 50 years. Elsewhere in the state, Wilcannia (45mm) and Menindee (16mm) both picked up their highest daily total in just under a year during the same period.

A number of roads have been cut off by floodwaters in central Australia as a result of the heavy rain. In the NT, Territory Grape Farm's 49mm during the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday was its biggest drop in just over two years.

This system will cause more widespread rain and thunderstorms over a broad area of eastern and southeastern Australia between Wednesday night and Friday.