The bushfires were dying down on Saturday but they've left a trail of devastation in the Tasmanian town of Dunalley.

Residents of the small Australian town returned on Saturday to survey the damage.

At least 85 homes, a petrol station and a school were destroyed.

Those who found their homes intact said other family members hadn't been so lucky.

SOUNDBITE: UNIDENTIFIED MAN SAYING (English):

"Yes, my two nephews, they've lost both their houses. My brother's lost the mill up there, bloody millions of dollars. I don't know."

Local media said a sawmill which employed 15 staff was among the casualties.

Tasmania's fire service was still tackling several other isolated bushfires burning across the state.