Huge swells and gale-force winds force Gold Coast beach closures

Beaches on the Gold Coast will remain closed overnight as wild winds whip up dangerous surf conditions.

All beaches on the tourist strip are expected to remain off-limits to the public until about 9am tomorrow.

Authorities will then assess whether the beaches are safe enough to re-open.

Gale force winds and waves more than four metres high have been pounding the Gold Coast shoreline.

Winds in excess of 90km/h have been recorded offshore and in elevated areas, mainly around the Queensland and New South Wales border.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Matt Marshall said the gusty conditions were the result a low which formed off the coast and had been dragging winds up from the south.

The system is expected to weaken overnight, he said.