Cairns Coast
Cairns Coastal Waters: Cape Tribulation to Cardwell Forecast
By the Bureau of Meteorology
Today’s weather chart
Cairns Coastal Waters: Cape Tribulation to Cardwell Forecast
By the Bureau of Meteorology
Two highs over the Tasman Sea and Victoria extend a weak ridge over the north Queensland waters. Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila in the Solomon Sea is forecast to move over the area over the next few days and start moving southwestwards late this week, approaching Far North Queensland into the weekend.
Forecast issued at 05:21 am EST on Tuesday 07 April 2026.
Warnings Current
Marine Wind Warning Summary for Queensland
IDQ20085
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Marine Wind Warning Summary for Queensland
Issued at 6:26 PM EST on Tuesday 7 Apr 2026.
Wind Warnings for Wednesday 8 Apr
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas
Cooktown Coast and Cairns Coast
The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 9:00 pm EST Tuesday.
Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecast or Local Waters Forecast at http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/map.shtml for information on wind, wave and weather conditions for these coastal zones.
Minor Flood Warning for the Thomson River and Cooper Creek
IDQ20860
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
National Water Operations
Minor Flood Warning for the Thomson River and Cooper Creek
Issued at 12:10 AM AEST on Tuesday 7 Apr 2026.
Flood Warning Number: 97
MINOR FLOODING IS EASING AT JUNDAH AND WINDORAH
The flood peak is downstream of Windorah, along the Cooper Creek. River levels upstream of Windorah are continuing to fall.
Thomson River
Minor flooding is easing at Jundah, and is no longer occurring at Stonehenge.
Cooper Creek
Minor flooding is easing at Windorah.
Latest River Heights
| Location | Height of River (m) | Tendency | Date/Time of Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornish Creek at Bowen Downs | 1.38 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Thomson River at Muttaburra | 1.03 | steady | 12:00 pm Tue 07/04/26 |
| Thomson River at Longreach | 1.46 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Thomson River at Bogewong | 1.69 | steady | 12:00 pm Tue 07/04/26 |
| Thomson River at Jundah | 3.17 | falling | 7:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Jordan Creek at Glencoe | 0.79 | steady | 9:38 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Alice River at Barcaldine Weir | 4.65 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Barcoo River at Retreat | 1.32 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Cooper Creek at Windorah (Lignum Channel) | 0.12 | steady | 12:00 pm Tue 07/04/26 |
| Cooper Creek at Windorah | 4.31 | falling | 6:30 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Cooper Creek at Nappa Merrie | 2.11 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
Major Flood Warning for the Eyre Creek and Minor Flood Warning for the Georgina River
IDQ20870
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
National Water Operations
Major Flood Warning for the Eyre Creek and Minor Flood Warning for the Georgina River
Issued at 12:01 AM AEST on Tuesday 7 Apr 2026.
Flood Warning Number: 69
MAJOR FLOODING EASING SLOWLY AT GLENGYLE
MODERATE FLOODING EASING SLOWLY AT BEDOURIE
River levels are continuing to fall along the Georgina River and Eyre Creek.
Georgina River to Marion Downs
Minor flooding is easing at Marion Downs.
Georgina River downstream of Marion Downs
River levels continue to fall along the Georgina River downstream of Marion Downs.
Eyre Creek
Major flooding is easing at Glengyle and moderate flooding is easing at Bedourie.
Latest River Heights
| Location | Height of River (m) | Tendency | Date/Time of Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgina River at Roxborough Downs Tm | 3.17 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Burke River at Boulia | 1.62 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Georgina River at Marion Downs | 3.55 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Eyre Creek at Bedourie | 4.67 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Eyre Creek at Glengyle | 4.20 | steady | 9:00 am Fri 03/04/26 |
Moderate Flood Warning for the Lower Diamantina River
IDQ20865
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
National Water Operations
Moderate Flood Warning for the Lower Diamantina River
Issued at 11:21 AM AEST on Tuesday 7 Apr 2026.
Flood Warning Number: 81
BIRDSVILLE LIKELY TO PEAK AROUND THE MODERATE FLOOD LEVEL FROM THURSDAY 9 APRIL
Minor flooding is continuing between Monkira and Durrie Station. Downstream, the main flood peak is currently around Roseberth Station, where major flooding is nearing a peak. Minor flooding is continuing at Birdsville, where the river level is rising slowly, with a peak around the moderate flood level likely from Thursday 9 April.
Diamantina River downstream of Diamantina Lakes
Major flooding is nearing a peak at Roseberth Station. Minor flooding is occurring at Durrie Station and Birdsville.
Latest River Heights
| Location | Height of River (m) | Tendency | Date/Time of Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mills Creek at Oondooroo | 1.27 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes Tm | 1.03 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Diamantina River at Monkira | 2.60 | falling | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Diamantina River at Durrie Station | 1.85 | steady | 9:00 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Diamantina River at Roseberth Station | 5.25 | steady | 6:50 am Tue 07/04/26 |
| Diamantina River at Birdsville Police Station | 5.75 | rising | 9:00 am Mon 06/04/26 |
| Diamantina River at Birdsville | 6.27 | rising | 10:10 am Tue 07/04/26 |
Forecast for Tuesday until midnight
| Wind | Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. |
| Seas | Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef. |
| Swell | Southeasterly 1 to 2 metres outside the reef, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres by early evening. |
| Weather | Partly cloudy. |
Wednesday 08 April
| Wind | Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore north of Cairns in the late evening. |
| Seas | 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1 to 2 metres north of Cairns. |
| Swell | Southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef, increasing to 1 to 2 metres during the morning, then decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon. |
| Weather | Partly cloudy. |
Thursday 09 April
| Wind | Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. |
| Seas | Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef. |
| Swell | Southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef, increasing to 1 to 2 metres during the morning. |
| Weather | Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers. |
Friday 10 April
| Wind | Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. |
| Seas | 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres outside the reef. |
| Swell | Easterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres outside the reef. |
| Weather | Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers. |
Current Weather
Latest BOM Weather Stations Data
Anemometer Location: Lat -16.946 Lon 145.747. 4.1 m above sea level.
- Wind SSE 6kts
- Gusts 8kts
- Temp 24.8°C
- Rain 19:10pm 1.2mm
Anemometer Location: Lat -16.874 Lon 145.746. 2.22 m above sea level.
- Wind SSE 5kts
- Gusts 8kts
- Temp 24.9°C
- Rain 19:10pm 1.2mm
Anemometer Location: Lat -16.384 Lon 145.559. 2.9 m above sea level.
- Wind ESE 17kts
- Gusts 21kts
- Temp 25.1°C
- Rain 19:10pm 0mm
Anemometer Location: Lat -16.723 Lon 146.112. 0 m above sea level.
- Wind E 13kts
- Gusts 23kts
- Temp N/A
- Rain N/A
Anemometer Location: Lat -17.558 Lon 146.012. 11.84 m above sea level.
- Wind SW 7kts
- Gusts 8kts
- Temp 22.7°C
- Rain 19:10pm 51.6mm
Cairns Coastal Waters: Cape Tribulation to Cardwell Wave Buoys
Lat: 16°43'49.8"S
Lon: 145°42'54.6"E
Water depth: 12 m
Source: Queensland Government (Department of Environment, Science and Innovation).
Wave height & period
On the Wave Height graph, the blue line shows the swell most indicative of what you will encounter in offshore waters
On the Peak Energy period graph which shows time between swells, the pink line is most indicative of what you will encounter in offshore waters
