The East Coast Low that suddenly developed off the Sunshine Coast generated some of the largest waves on record in our region.
The powerful weather event, which produced wind gusts up to 120km/h, whipped up the wildest of seas.
When it was at the height of its powers, the ECL sent a towering 11m (36 foot) bomb charging towards our already battered beaches.
This was recorded by a State Government wave monitoring buoy 8km off Mooloolaba at noon on Friday.
This was the second biggest on record, eclipsed only by a 12.1m wave registered at 4pm on March 5, 2004.
It surpassed other ocean giants measuring 10.5m at 5.30am on January 28, 2013, and 10m at 7.30pm on April 1, 2000.
Coast Guard Caloundra commander Roger Pearce said at 2pm Friday, the wave buoy off Caloundra recorded its biggest ever wave at 7.8m. This passed the 7.5m record set at 5pm on April 1, 2015.
“This was phenomenal,” Mr Pearce said. “The biggest issue was the swell came up so quickly … it was one to remember for sure. Fortunately, it went as quickly as it came.”
Mr Pearce said the big seas had led to more erosion on Bribie Island and left considerable debris in our waterways, which boaties would have to watch out for in coming days and weeks.
He said the new Bribie bar opposite Golden Beach had been measured Sunday and was now almost 800m wide.
“We have seen erosion on both sides of the new bar, but more on the southern side,” Mr Pearce said.
“More sand has also been pushed into the Pumicestone Passage.”
Sunshine Coast beaches, which had only just been starting to recover from bad weather earlier in the year, again have been decimated.
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Sand dunes have been carved away and some access points impacted.
Thousands turned out to witness the big seas and some surfers braved the conditions in more protected spots like Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland and Noosa.
With waves heights dropping to about 1.5m for the next few days and winds easing, surfers can expect plenty of fun rides.
Capturing the action for Sunshine Coast News were Photo of the Day regulars David Cook and Pete Evans.
Scroll down for more amazing shots
