Residents in two states have been told to prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred to hit within coming days, with wild weather expected to smash coastal communities.
The category two system is expected to make landfall on Thursday somewhere between Bundaberg in Queensland and northern NSW but the weather bureau says it's hard to pinpoint exactly when or where it will cross the coast.
Cyclones are rare in that part of Australia and authorities both states have urged residents to be prepared, including having tinned food, making an emergency kit and clearing debris from properties.
The effects will be felt much further away than where the cyclone makes landfall, Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said.
"(It) would include things like damaging to destructive winds, heavy to intense rainfall that may lead to life-threatening flash flooding and coastal inundation or inundation of low lying areas," she said.
A tropical cyclone warning will likely be issued in the coming days.
Weather bureau meteorologists have predicted gale force winds could develop by Tuesday and daily rainfall totals may be between 300-600mm.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged residents in the state's southeast to do "everything they can" before the cyclone makes landfall and stay vigilant.
"This is not a frequent occurrence and there may be Queenslanders who can be forgiven for thinking that this is something that doesn't occur," Mr Crisafulli told reporters in Brisbane on Sunday.
"Well, history shows that it does.
"That's why we are taking that precautionary approach and asking people to do everything you can to get ready, things like making sure that you've got tinned food."
Mr Crisifulli thanked campers in the region at K'gari, previously known as Fraser Island, who heeded evacuation warnings.
"Some coastal areas are potentially in the firing line and with the prospect of that severe wind warning, coupled with some pretty high tides, there is the real risk of further coastal erosion," Mr Crisafulli said.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner urged residents to clean up their yards and secure loose items.
"A cyclone in Brisbane is something many of us have never experienced before so getting prepared now is the only way to ensure your home, pets and loved ones stay safe," he said.
Residents have been told to pay attention to warnings and directions to leave.
Major riverine flooding and flash flooding is expected in northern NSW from Wednesday through to the weekend.
"If major flooding occurs, people may be asked to evacuate their homes," NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey said.
"We are asking the community to take steps now to ensure that if you are asked to evacuate you have a plan for yourselves, your families and your pets and know where you will go.”
The cyclone was 370km northeast of Bundaberg on Sunday afternoon.
It's expected to shift southeast before swinging west on Tuesday.
Destructive winds, coastal inundation and heavy to intense rainfall are expected to be largely felt on the southern side of the cyclone.
