Traffic at standstill, 65,000 air travellers make way home after long weekend

Motorists travelling south from the Sunshine Coast are facing major delays as thousands head home from long weekend holidays.

Huge delays on the Bruce Highway between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. Picture: Sheridan Brettle

Motorists heading back to Brisbane and beyond from the Sunshine Coast are facing huge delays from an exodus of holiday makers exiting the tourism destination.

Congestion had this morning caused delays of up to 90 minutes between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads reported congestion on the Bruce Highway Southbound at 10:29am, near Landsborough.

While the congestion appears to have eased, live traffic maps show heavy traffic at usual hotspots from Morayfield to Bald Hills and Caloundra to Caboolture.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads reported congestion on the Bruce Highway Southbound. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads

At 12:10pm travellers faced a 1 hour and 42 minute drive from the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Google Maps.

One person issued a warning to fellow travellers on social media.

“Heading up the Sunshine Coast north bound. Good run so far, but if you are heading south bound you may want to think again. Just left Aussie World and traffic is at a standstill,” they wrote.

Further north, a multi-vehicle crash has left traffic at a standstill on the Old Bruce Hwy in Owanyilla.

Emergency crews received a call about 10.52am after reports at least two vehicles, a ute and a hatchback, were involved in a collision at the Owanyilla turn-off about 21km south of Maryborough.

A multi-vehicle crash on the Bruce Hwy on Easter Monday has left traffic at a standstill with motorists urged to avoid the area. Photo: Rachel Perry

A multi-vehicle crash on the Bruce Hwy on Easter Monday has left traffic at a standstill with motorists urged to avoid the area. Photo: Rachel Perry

A Queensland Police spokeswoman at 12pm said traffic was backed up to the Pineapple Hill and possibly further with both lanes affected.

Meanwhile Brisbane Airport is expected to see 50,000 domestic travellers and 15,000 International travellers on the public holiday.

Brisbane Airport spokesman Peter Doherty said the airport wasn’t expecting any delays with a “smooth travelling” day ahead of them.

“We’re expecting 65,000 travellers through the terminals today which is comfortably within capacity,” Mr Doherty said.

“Last Thursday there were 75,000 passengers at BNE and the terminals were humming with no delays.

“We know when Brisbane Airport is busy, Queensland’s tourism industry is busy and we’re expecting a great month ahead with Queensland the number one destination for Aussies looking for an autumn escape, and that’s great for jobs across the Sunshine State.”

A motorcycle incident at Beerwah has sparked more traffic chaos on Monday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the scene between Foley Road and Steve Irwin Way about 12pm after a person had fallen off a motorcycle.

A Queensland Ambulance Services spokeswoman said the motorcycle rider was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital and remains in a stable condition.

Delays along Steve Irwin Way southbound are to be expected.