High seas, winds as beach fun nosedives

Beaches on the Gold and Sunshine coasts are expected to remain closed as giant surf whipped up by ex-tropical Cyclone Seth pounds the coast.

A surfer goes ‘lobster diving’ as he wipes out in wild waves at Snapper Rocks, as most south east Queensland beaches remain closed. Picture: Adam Head

Beaches on the Gold and Sunshine coasts are expected to remain closed until midweek as giant surf whipped up by ex-tropical Cyclone Seth continues to pound the coastline.

The storm weakened into a low pressure system on Sunday afternoon as it pushed south, but it could still cross the coast, somewhere in southeast Queensland or northern NSW, during the week.

Wherever it crosses is likely to experience heavy rain and strong winds. In contrast, high temperatures in parts of Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia prompted fire danger warnings.

The relentless waves from the south-easterly swell on the Sunshine Coast forced a hole through the northern end of Bribie Island, near Caloundra, allowing water to rush over the island and directly into Pumicestone Passage.

Government buoys set up offshore recorded waves up to 9m high in southeast Queensland. Coupled with morning king tides, authorities warned of flooding in low-lying areas. Roads, car parks and backyards close to the shoreline became inundated.

Water rushed through the car park of the Currumbin Surf Club on the Gold Coast and powerful waves whisked beer kegs and a shipping container, usually used to store equipment, along the beach.

The system was about 400km east of the Gold Coast on Monday and was expected to slowly move northwest from Tuesday while weakening.

Bureau of Meteorology forecasters said the waves and wind would begin to ease from the middle of the week, but showers were expected to increase as the low crossed the coast.

“The future movement of ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth is uncertain,” meteorologist Helen Reid said.

A thrillseeker jumps for safety at Snapper Rocks. Picture: Adam Head

“We are expecting it to drift slowly west and possibly to the north over the coming days and it is uncertain as to whether it will even cross the Queensland coast.

“We can expect an increase in shower activity over the southeast as the week progresses. That’s all dependent on the movement of ex-TC Seth.”

A warning for damaging surf and abnormally high tides kept most beachgoers from Fraser Island to the NSW Mid North Coast on the sand over the usually busy school holiday period.

Some chose not to heed the warnings.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said lifesavers were “constantly driving up and down the beaches to tell people to get out”.

“Can I please ask that you listen to authorities, that when they say the beaches are shut, they are shut,” Ms Carroll said.

While the rough seas dampened the plans of thousands of holiday-makers, experienced surfers rejoiced at the swell of the summer, particularly on the point breaks at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast and Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, and along some open beaches where they were towed into giant waves by jetskis.

It wasn’t only the surfers having fun despite the situation. Residents of low-lying suburbs suddenly inundated with seawater spent time exploring the waterlogged streets, some on lawn chairs to take in the view.

Visitors to Fraser Island faced difficulty getting to the barge from the mainland when roads became cut by the high tides and normally dry beaches used as loading zones were inundated.

Some campers at Inskip Point on the mainland were trapped on small islands of land as the water rose around them.