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.

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.

Campers at some of Australia’s most popular holiday spots have been urged to evacuate from the path of an extreme weather event. Queensland’s department of Environment and Tourism (DETSI) issued the warning as Tropical Cyclone Alfred intensified on Friday afternoon.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred is a Category 3 system this Friday morning, after becoming as strong as Category 4 on Thursday night.

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”.

Uncertainty lingers over whether Tropical Cyclone Alfred will make landfall in Queensland after it strengthened to a "severe" category three storm overnight. Currently, Alfred is about 850km north-east of Mackay and 1000km north-east of Rockhampton,

Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred has intensified into a category four system but the latest modelling suggests the chance of it making landfall has decreased, according to the BOM.

Cyclones are potentially destructive beasts, depending on the area they hit and the strength of them when they arrive.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is intensifying as it continues to travel through the Coral Sea after forming on Sunday, but updated tracking data shows it is still set to make its way towards the Queensland coast after intensifying into a Category 3 system.