The scene of skyscrapers standing beside the beach in golden hours of the sunrise in the Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast taken in 2023. It does not look like this any more. Photo: iStock

The iconic beach has been washed away, as have beaches up and down the coast. University of the Sunshine Coast's Dr Javier Leon told Yahoo News that the beaches would take "years" to recover. "The rate of this recovery depends on upcoming conditions but usually takes weeks to months. Dunes take longer to recover," he said. "In some cases, it might take years for dunes to come back to pre-cyclone conditions."

It’s looking really bleak on the Gold Coast with the erosion leaving the strip unrecognisable. Picture by Luke Marsden.

The flooding has been intense as although Alfred didn’t hit the ferocity first though, he has dumped a ton of rain. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Lockyer Valley town of Laidley has been hit by significant flooding due to the after-effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The Lockyer Valley town of Laidley has been hit by significant flooding due to the after-effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Flooded cars at Edmondstone Street in Newmarket, Brisbane. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

Anywhere you drive in the area, there’s plenty of water on the road. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

Heavy rain has moved into the Gold Coast region, bringing flodding to areas like Mudgeeraba. Photo: Adam Head

People are still making the most of the conditions, though handling might be a little difficult. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Banny Gregory, 12, and his brother Oliver make the most of muddy conditions. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Flash flooding rockets through the carpark of Pialba Central to the RSL at Pialba in Hervey Bay.

Water over the roads during high tide at Paradise Point.

Images of the chaos across southeast Queensland from Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Energex

Flooding in Hervey Bay during the wild weather on Sunday brought by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Photo: Sharnee Ann

Despite all the warnings, people are still trying to drive through the floodwaters. Photo: Sharnee Ann

The town of Laidley has suffered severe inundation from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The town of Laidley has suffered severe inundation from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred

Barbara McLeod and Sid Holden out for a walk in Maroochydore. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A car kicks up water in Ballina. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Nambour following wild weather from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Photo: Steve Mansley

Flooding at an Ipswich Bunnings store as the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues. Picture: Supplied

Bridge Hotel area, Maroochydore at 8.00am Monday. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Locals look at flood waters, which have slightly receded in low lying areas of Carina. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits the Gallipoli Barracks on Sunday. Photo by Tertius Pickard - Pool/Getty Images

Motel Glenworth, the house next door on Margaret St and a car were damaged when a large tree was brought down in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A house lost part of its roof near Redcliffe. Photo Steve Pohlner

Some people were hit harder than others. This picture shows a damaged home after a tree was uprooted in the strong winds in the suburb of Elanora. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP

Lizzy Burke and her dog Roy look to see what they can salvage from her damaged home. Photo: Adam Head

Lizzy has a big clean up job ahead of her. Photo: Adam Head

While some places didn’t cop too much damage, there is flood water across the region. But some drivers don’t learn that you don’t drive through floodwaters. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Lismore locals are trying to work out next steps. Lismore mayor Steve Krieg told Today that the waters had receded to about 8m but there were fears if the rain continued up north as it would flow down into NSW. Picture: Nathan Smith / MATRIXNEWS.

Lismore on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Nathan Smith/MATRIXNEWS.

Gold Coast was battered by Cyclone Alfred as it made land. Picture Glenn Hampson

People attempting to tow a trawler off Queens beach using a jet ski, during Ex-Cyclone Alfred on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Steve Pohlner

The dome of the Moroccan building in Surfers Paradise was destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Ian Clark

Shade sails ripped down at a shopping centre in Burleigh Heads. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The Gold Coast was battered by Cyclone Alfred. Tower 42 on The Spit became a tourist attraction as it was inundated with water. Picture Glenn Hampson

The lifeguard tower was damaged by the record-breaking waves. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP

The iconic golf ball in Miami had seen better days. Picture: Nigel Hallett

It crashed through the fence. Picture Glenn Hampson

A submerged boat at a jetty at Broadwater on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

A boat anchored to the shore on Bribie Island. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

It was wild on the water as the cyclone hit with boats colliding in the high seas and strong winds.

Police tape covers a stairway leading onto Surfers Paradise Beach. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP

Broadwater Keys Holiday Apartments was evacuated and cordoned off with police tape after a portion of its roof blew off during the cyclone. Picture: Alex Treacy

Businesses did not escape unscathed. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Debris was blown off houses and buildings, with this one damaging a car in Bundall. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Trees are down across Queensland and NSW as massive gusts hit Toowoomba in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

A young boy and girl look at an uprooted tree in front of the Miami Beach Surf Lifesaving Club in the aftermath of the Cyclone. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP

Power lines down on Anita St and Benfer Rd in Redlands due to ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Photo: Supplied.

Gold Coasters are waking up to see what damage Alfred has caused. Photo: Adam Head

Energex crews clear a fallen tree following the passage of tropical cyclone Alfred in Brisbane. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Crews have been working hard to clear trees and debris as well as restoring power. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Erosion and foam has decimated beachs. On Today, it was reported that lifeguards believe it will take 12 months for the beaches to bounce back. Picture Glenn Hampson

This is the last thing Lismore needed. Photo: Nathan Smith/MATRIXNEWS.

Crews try to work out where to start in the lastest flood recovery. Photo: Nathan Smith/MATRIXNEWS.

The water got up there, but it wasn’t as bad as first feared, thankfully. Photo: Nathan Smith/MATRIXNEWS.

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Jihad Dib visit flood affected people in Lismore. Photo: Supplied.

Don’t drive through floodwaters. Picture: Nathan Smith / MATRIXNEWS.

A man looks on at the floodwaters with his dog. Picture: Nathan Smith / MATRIXNEWS.

A young man swims in the floodwaters. Picture: Nathan Smith / MATRIXNEWS.

The dog was having the time of his life. Picture: Nathan Smith / MATRIXNEWS.

Lismore did not need this. Picture: Nathan Smith / MATRIXNEWS.

Kids are also out and about in Lismore. Picture: Nathan Smith / MATRIXNEWS.

The flooding wasn’t only in Lismore. A Hervey Bay home was underwater after the cyclone. Photo: Tina Davie

A woman walking her dog pauses to photograph Moreton Bay after the cyclone hit land. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Locals have gotten out an about after the worst of the storm appeared to pass. However, residents are urged to stay updated on local warnings, avoid floodwaters, and prepare for ongoing disruptions. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

A bloke shows off his rig as he goes for a walk in the wild weather. Picture: David Clark

Kids are also making the most of the wet conditions. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

With the beach out of comission, there’s still plenty of water for the kids to have fun in. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Looks like fun. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

There’s a little water on the basketball court! Picture: Richard Walker

People can’t help themselves and have left their homes to see what’s happened. But power is still out so people are being warned that traffic lights could be out. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

And there’s plenty of water on the road as well, so please be careful.

Residents venture outside their homes to assess the impact of Cyclone Alfred. Photo by David GRAY / AFP

The aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred on the Gold Coast. Surfers Paradise. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Coast Guard checking on boats in Manly Harbour. Picture: Richard Walker

People queuing for McDonalds at Wynnum West due to widespread power outages after Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Richard Walker

An uprooted tree near the shore in Redcliffe. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A large tree knocked down power lines in Heeb Street, Ashmore. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Residents help to remove a large tree down on Currumburra Road, Ashmore. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Energex crews clear a fallen tree following the passage of tropical cyclone Alfred in Brisbane. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

A man chainsaws a collapsed tree in Redcliffe. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A man looks at an uprooted tree in front of the Miami Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP

Australian military was even deployed to aid Lismore. Photo: Nathan Smith/MATRIXNEWS

Broadwater Keys Holiday Apartments was evacuated after a portion of its roof blew off during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Alex Treacy

A tree crashed through a home in Eden’•s Landing. No one in the house was injured. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Motorists try to clear trees which were blocking part of the M1 motorway.

The wind was intense as the cyclone hit landfall. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Crews clear a fallen tree. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Police diverting traffic after fallen trees in Bundall. Picture: Nigel Hallett

A tree down in a pool. Picture: James Wainwright, Narangba

Trees were down all over the place. Picture: Clint Melton, Murrumba Downs

Crews have been working hard to clear the debris after a heap of trees came down. Photo: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Erosion in Surfers Paradise is insane. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The livestock were largely spared in Lismore. Photo: Nathan Smith/MATRIXNEWS.

Cyclone Alfred left a trail of destruction across Brisbane.

A sign warns of a road closure due to flooding in Labrador, near the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by David GRAY / AFP

An uprooted tree in Redcliffe. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A man walks through a near deserted Brisbane CBD. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Trees down at Muir Street, Labrador, as residents inspect debris.

The aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred on the Gold Coast. A tree on its last legs in Bundall. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Powerlines and trees down as workers battle strong winds and rain.

A palm tree fell across the road. Picture: Lyn Russell, Margate