Tsunami warning ruins day at beach

EAST coast Australians were warned to avoid the beach on Sunday as officials worried over the possible threat of a tsunami wave.

The NSW State Emergency Service told people not to go swimming or drive down to the beach to have a look.

“I know a lot of people will be disappointed and it's going to be a very humid day, and the Australian way is to get down to the beach,” an SES official said on Sunday morning.

“But to protect this community, the beaches are closed and surf lifesaving have removed the flags, and we’re making sure that people don’t go into the water.”

The official said a rock fisherman had to be rescued earlier in the day.

Beaches were expected to stay closed at least until 4pm.

“In past tsunami warnings we’ve had people get into their vehicles and go to the beach – that’s exactly the wrong thing to do,” the SES official said.

“We need to have the roads as clear as possible … once that wave comes, if it does come, it’s very vital and urgent to get people away from those areas.”

The warning comes after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted off Tonga on Saturday afternoon.

Victorian authorities also issued a marine warning for the state’s east.

Victoria’s State Emergency Service said a tsunami watch had been issued for Lakes Entrance, east of Gabo Island including Mallacoota.

However, by midday the tsunami threat had reduced and the warning was cancelled.

In Queensland there were warnings for a huge stretch from Sandy Cape to Point Danger including the Fraser Island coast, Sunshine Coast waters, Moreton Bay and Gold Coast waters.

Australia typically experiences a tsunami about every year or two.