Grieving dad wants his home

The devastated father of a Queenstown teenager whose body was found in Queensland surf yesterday "just wants to be at home".

Local water police and lifesavers found the body of Richard Doyle, 19, at South Stradbroke Island at 5.30am yesterday on a first-light search.

Nearly 72 hours had passed since the teenager left his dad and brothers a note saying he was going for a swim at a beach near Surfers Paradise.

Long-time family friend Mary Garvie, who is house-sitting the Doyle family home in Queenstown, spoke to Richard's father, Peter Doyle, yesterday.

"He wants no fuss and bother until he's home. He said, 'I just want to be at home'," she told the Herald.

Mr Doyle and his sons Richard, Matt, 21, and Timmy, 16, were on holiday in Australia following the deaths of their mother and aunt last year.

Mrs Garvie said she felt "absolutely numb". There had been a stream of well-wishers at the house, she said.

Gold Coast water police manager Inspector Darren Soppa said the autopsy would be conducted in the next couple of days.