Lexi Webster
Australia's east coast was battered by towering waves over the 2025 Easter weekend, with waves taller than 24 feet recorded off the coast of Queensland. The powerful waves triggered by Cyclone Tam led to the deaths of at least six people, with several others reported missing. The hazardous surf conditions prompted warnings from authorities, urging caution for those engaging in coastal activities such as boating, swimming, and rock fishing. The sheer magnitude of the waves caused damage to iconic locations like Bondi Beach in Sydney, where waves reached 5.5 meters, shattering glass and lifting floors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 18-20 April 2025 |
| Cause | Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam |
| Height | Up to 24 feet |
| Impact | Hazardous surf, dangerous for coastal activities like boating, swimming, and rock fishing |
| Fatalities | 6 |
| Injuries and Missing Persons | 2 missing, several injured |
| Locations | Sydney, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Tathra, San Remo |
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What You'll Learn
Waves taller than 24 feet off the coast of Brisbane
In April 2025, Australia's east coast was battered by towering waves that caused hazardous conditions and led to multiple fatalities. The waves were a result of a low-pressure system that brought powerful surf conditions. According to government data, waves taller than 24 feet were recorded off the coast of Brisbane, Queensland, posing significant dangers to the region.
The meteorological agency of Australia issued a warning for hazardous surf conditions along an extensive stretch of coastline, spanning from Queensland to New South Wales. This included popular destinations such as Sydney, Byron Bay, and the Gold Coast. The agency cautioned that activities like rock fishing, boating, and swimming could be extremely dangerous during this period.
The massive waves resulted in tragic incidents along the coast. In New South Wales, four people drowned, and one person was reported missing. Additionally, a man fishing in Wattamolla, located about 20 miles south of Sydney, lost his life after being swept into the sea. A 14-year-old boy who was with him was rescued and hospitalized in stable condition.
The powerful waves also impacted Victoria, where a woman tragically died after being washed off rocks in San Remo, a town on the state's southern coast. Another man and woman were swept away, but the woman managed to make her way back to shore safely. These incidents highlighted the extreme dangers posed by the towering waves that battered Australia's east coast during the Easter holiday weekend.
The overall death toll from the hazardous surf conditions along the Australian coastline reached six, with five people in New South Wales and one in Victoria losing their lives. The towering waves, exceeding 24 feet in height off the coast of Brisbane, served as a stark reminder of the ocean's immense power and the importance of heeding warnings and taking necessary precautions to ensure safety in such dangerous surf conditions.
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Hazardous surf warnings in place
Hazardous surf warnings were in place along Australia's east coast over the 2025 Easter weekend. The warnings were issued by Australia's meteorological agency and the Australian weather bureau. The warnings stretched from Queensland to New South Wales, encompassing Sydney, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, and southern Queensland. The warnings advised that conditions would be dangerous for rock fishing, boating, and swimming.
The hazardous surf warnings were a result of a low-pressure system that brought powerful surf conditions. Waves taller than 24 feet were recorded off the coast of Brisbane, Queensland, on Friday, according to government data. The powerful swells and towering waves battered the coastline, causing damage and fatalities.
There were at least six fatalities reported due to the hazardous surf conditions. Five people drowned in New South Wales, and one person drowned in the state of Victoria. Additionally, there were reports of people going missing after being swept into the ocean or washed off rocks along the coastline. The hazardous conditions also caused damage to infrastructure, with waves reaching 5.5 meters shattering glass and lifting floors at Sydney's Bondi Icebergs pool.
The combination of hot temperatures, a long weekend, and the enormous swell attracted hundreds of thousands of people to the coastline, resulting in a high number of drownings. The hazardous surf warnings aimed to alert people to the dangers of engaging in coastal activities such as boating, rock fishing, and swimming during these dangerous surf conditions.
It is crucial for people to heed hazardous surf warnings and take necessary precautions when such conditions are expected. These precautions include wearing life jackets, having the required safety equipment, and avoiding engaging in high-risk activities such as rock fishing or boating in hazardous surf. By following these warnings and being vigilant, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, or fatalities associated with dangerous surf conditions.
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Six killed in New South Wales
In April 2025, hazardous waves of up to 24 feet battered Australia's east coast, resulting in the deaths of six people in New South Wales (NSW). The powerful waves were caused by a low-pressure system and affected a long stretch of the coastline, from Queensland down to NSW and Victoria. The hazardous surf conditions led to multiple fatalities, with four people drowning in NSW alone.
The first reported death occurred on Friday when a 58-year-old fisherman drowned in NSW. On the same day, a woman drowned and a man went missing after their group was swept into the sea in San Remo, Victoria. The following day, the body of another man was found in the water near Tathra, in southern NSW. Two men were also washed off the rocks in Kianinny Bay, near Tathra, with one surviving and the other found deceased.
The dangerous conditions extended across the Easter weekend, with videos surfacing of people endangering themselves in the hazardous surf. One video showed a man walking into rocks at Dee Why Point before being hit by a massive wave. Another video, titled "Catching the Dee Why Express", depicted a wave sweeping a man along the beach platform.
The NSW government acknowledged the severity of the situation, with Premier Chris Minns stating, "We are bracing for more bad news." He urged those in "prepare to evacuate" areas to leave if possible and acknowledged the challenges of reaching isolated communities. NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, emphasized the unprecedented scale of the flooding, stating that they had seen more rain and flooding in the mid and north coast than ever before.
The waves that hit NSW were part of a broader weather system that caused widespread flooding and devastation in the state. The record rainfall and flooding in NSW left about 50,000 people isolated and nearly 10,000 homes at risk. The natural disaster prompted evacuations and led to multiple fatalities, with four confirmed deaths and several missing persons reported.
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Powerful swells hitting Sydney
Sydney and other places along Australia's east coast were battered by powerful swells over the 2025 Easter holiday weekend. The waves were brought about by a low-pressure system, with waves taller than 24 feet recorded off the coast of Brisbane in Queensland on Friday, according to government data.
The Impact in Sydney
- Beaches in Sydney, including Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, and Manly, were closed to swimmers due to hazardous conditions.
- A powerful king tide caused damage to Sydney's iconic Bondi Icebergs pool, with waves reaching 5.5 metres, shattering glass, and lifting floors.
- Residents in Botany Bay were forced to evacuate as water inundated homes.
- Surf Life Saving NSW confirmed at least five successful rescues, including a toddler at Redhead Beach in the Hunter.
- There were tragic losses in Sydney, with men believed to have been fishing or walking on rocks along the coast swept into the ocean.
Warnings
Australia's meteorological agency issued a warning for hazardous surf conditions for a long stretch of the coast from Queensland to New South Wales, including Sydney, Byron Bay, and the Gold Coast. They cautioned that conditions could be dangerous for rock fishing, boating, and swimming. Weatherzone meteorologist Corine Brown advised people to "check local weather and if in doubt, don't go!"
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Bondi Beach damaged by waves
On April 2, 2025, massive swells and a powerful king tide battered Sydney's coastline, causing damage to the city's iconic Bondi Beach. The waves caused glass to smash and footpaths to crack, and some residents were forced to evacuate. The Bondi Icebergs pool was also affected, with broken seating and fence damage reported. The worst damage was at Wylie's, which had been closed for swimming since Sunday and remained closed on Wednesday as staff assessed the damage.
Waverley Council workers removed a large water tank from the Icebergs pool that had washed up on Bondi Beach. A spokesperson for the Council said that infrastructure at three beaches was damaged overnight and they would remain closed as staff cleaned up and assessed the damage. Waves smashed through the doors of Coogee Surf Club, tore through handrails at South Coogee, and deposited large amounts of sand over the steps and rainbow walkway.
The Randwick City Council lifeguard and well-known surfer, Paul Moffatt, warned that the conditions were risky even for experienced surfers. He urged the community to stay out of the water on Wednesday evening when more large swells were expected. Parts of the concrete walkway at Cronulla esplanade were cordoned off after being damaged by 4-metre waves. Brick walls at Bronte also buckled under the pressure of the powerful waves.
The wild waves were caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam, which generated massive waves across the NSW coast. The hazardous surf conditions killed at least five people across the country over the Easter long weekend. In NSW, four people drowned, and another was missing.
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Frequently asked questions
Waves taller than 24 feet were recorded off the coast of Brisbane, Queensland. In Sydney, waves reaching 5.5 metres caused damage at Bondi Beach.
The waves were triggered by ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam, which brought strong winds and heavy rains to the region.
Six people died, and at least two others were reported missing as a result of the hazardous surf conditions.
