RAD DOGS AND BRISBANITES GO OUT IN THE WINTER SUN

SUMMER-like temperatures in Brisbane combined with the Ekka show holiday to draw thousands of people to the Gold Coast yesterday. The procession of cars caused delays on the M1 but it was worth it when the crowds arrived, with perfect beach weather on offer. Jack Russell terriers Chloe and Max showed off their bodyboarding skills at Currumbin Creek where their owner Jo Staveley snapped this picture.

BRISBANITES ditched the Ekka for our stunning beaches as yesterday’s public holiday and perfect weather beckoned, sending the Gold Coast into overdrive.

The M1 corridor was gridlocked for nearly 45km in the morning as thousands of daytrippers flocked south.

And more than 70km of cars were stuck bumper to bumper on the way back home from Tugun to Springwood.

Hundreds of people headed to the Glitter Strip’s beaches, where whales were spotted frolicking close to shore much to the delight of tourists and locals.

Palm Beach resident Jo Staveley, 46, said it had been another beautiful day on the southern beaches after taking her Jack Russell terriers, Chloe, 11 and Max, 9, out for a bit of fun in the water at Currumbin Creek.

“The weather was very windy, but it was peaceful in front of the RSL,” she said.

“The sun was shining ... it was magic. It’s not winter at all, what winter?”

She said the pups were living the doggie dream on the Gold Coast.

“They’re very spoiled to go on the beach everyday,” Ms Staveley said.

City council’s head lifeguard Warren Young said Brisbane residents had bulked up the crowds along the beaches all day.

“It was a busy day,” he said. “We had lots of Brisbanites down here for the public holiday. We had good crowds on the beaches and in the parks.”

Yesterday’s temperature hit 24.4C at Coolangatta, 26.1C at the Gold Coast Seaway and northern suburbs.

Bureau of meteorology’s Sean Fitzgerald said the weather pattern was stable at the moment and the warm, sunny weather would remain.

“(Today) it will be a max of 28C with a minimum of 16C,” he said. “There will be really sunny conditions for the rest of the week.”

He said the weekend would be cooler at around 21C, but it wouldn’t last too long, with conditions set to warm up again after Monday.

Picture: @pilatesbylisa Lisa Pentony relaxes on a Gold Coast beach.

Picture: GLENN HAMPSON Caleb Hamiora and Jerome Johnson from Coolangatta battle for the ball.

Picture: GLENN HAMPSON Brisbane brothers Lucas, 7, and Lorenzo Delapena, 4, in a waterfight at Tallebudgera.

Picture: RACQ The M1 was in gridlock for 45km as Brisbane residents headed to the Gold Coast on the Ekka public holiday.