Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred is inching closer to the Queensland coast, bringing intense winds and wild surf. The system remains over the Coral Sea, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting strong to gale-force winds across the southern Great Barrier Reef Islands and extending to K'gari this weekend.

Australia’s east coast is closely watching Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which has been churning and strengthening over the Coral Sea. Although the storm is expected to stay offshore for now, it’s still set to bring gusty winds, rising swells and hazardous surf conditions to Queensland’s heavily populated coastline in the coming days.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to inch closer to the Queensland coast from today bringing severe hazards including abnormally high tides and gale-force winds.

Campers on K’gari, Inskip and Cooloola are being urged to evacuate as Tropical Cyclone Alfred intensifies offshore. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is advising all campers to leave the areas “while it is still safe to do so”.

Densely-populated southeast Queensland is facing the first direct impact in decades from a powerful tropical cyclone, with its pristine beaches expected to be pounded by heavy swell.

The weather system is sitting about 910 kilometres north-east of Cairns and is forecast to reach category three by Tuesday.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is a high probability of crossing one of the most highly populated stretches of the Queensland coast by early next week.

Alfred was a tropical cyclone in the Coral Sea Tuesday morning Eastern time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said in its latest advisory. The tropical cyclone had sustained wind speeds of 86 miles per hour,

A tropical cyclone is set to intensify as it looms off Australia's coast, with a tracking model predicting a direct hit on one state in the coming days.