Cyclone Winston closes Queensland beaches

Ex-tropical cyclone Winston whips up huge waves and strong currents. Photo / NASA

Beaches on the Gold Coast were off limits this weekend and many on the Sunshine Coast could remain closed as ex-tropical cyclone Winston whips up huge waves and strong currents.

Rough conditions have caused a string of injuries, including dislocated shoulders and leg fractures, in recent days.

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) has pleaded with swimmers to stay out of the water as waves up to 6m high pound the coast.

The authority closed all beaches bar three on the Sunshine Coast yesterday - Noosa, Coolum and Bribie - and announced those on the Gold Coast would remain shut today.

"It's not a decision that we've made lightly, but it was a necessary decision given how unstable and dangerous the current surf conditions are at the moment," SLSQ's Nathan Fife said.

A woman broke her leg at the Gold Coast's Main Beach on Friday after she was knocked over by a powerful wave while walking on the sand. And surf life savers on the Sunshine Coast have seen six dislocated shoulders, seven back- and neck-related injuries and a fractured leg, over recent days.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Annabelle Ford said the worst of the rough conditions were expected yesterday and would begin to ease today.

Cyclone Winston was about 630km east-northeast of Brisbane yesterday.

- AAP