High swells at from northern NSW to Illawarra as Cyclone Alfred approaches

Warnings are in place for much of the NSW east coast as Tropical Cyclone Alfred nears, with huge swells already recorded at Bondi, Newcastle and Cronulla.

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Hazardous surf and “abnormally” high waves impacting much of the NSW coast have forced Surf Life Saving NSW to declare a warning on Wednesday as Cyclone Alfred approaches.

This will extend to the entire NSW coastline on Thursday when the cyclone is expected to make landfall late in the day.

At the time of publication Willy Weather recorded a swell up to 2.6m at Palm Beach, Collaroy, Bondi and Cronulla.

Wild surf.... Bondi local Luke Kennedy enjoys a massive swell on Wednesday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

These were higher in the Hunter region with 3.1m at Newcastle Beach, 3.6m at Bennetts Beach and 2.6m at Moonee Beach.

SLSNSW President Joel Wiseman said they considered the conditions “exceptionally dangerous” for boating, fishing, surfing and swimming in the coming days.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Angus Hines said “very, very large waves” up to 7m were forecast on Wednesday . Photo Jeremy Piper

“Our surf clubs in the north of the state are preparing for surf conditions that are predicted to be more than 5 metres in height, and we will be proactively monitoring for both coastal erosion and potential inundation of low-lying club facilities.”

Surfers on the Byron coast made the most of the waves on Tuesday despite warnings.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Angus Hines said “very, very large waves” up to 7m were forecast on Wednesday for eastern coastal waters from the QLD border down to Forster.

“These could be very significant,” he said.

Early morning beachgoers at Bondi Beach. Photo Jeremy Piper

“We could see some tidal locations get water between half a metre or a metre above their typical highest tides, which could lead to flooding and inundation for low lying coastal areas and properties.”