But while authorities have been warning residents to stay indoors as Cyclone Alfred approaches, die-hard surfers have been throwing caution to the increasing wind. "This is what we look forward to," said Jeff Weatherall as he waited for a jet ski to pick him up from Kirra beach and carry him into the big waves.

Authorities turn their focus to the threat of flooding and flash floods as communities in south-east Queensland and northern NSW are warned the risks "can't be trivialised".