Whale stranded on Gold Coast beach dies

A newborn humpback calf has died of natural causes on a southern Gold Coast beach shortly after a team of experts arrived to save it.

An assessment by an expert veterinarian determined the calf was in a poor condition when it became stranded just north of Currumbin Creek early on Thursday afternoon.

Surfers tried to save the whale, and a rescue team from Sea World was dispatched to help those efforts.

"Sadly the calf died of natural causes shortly after the rescue team arrived," Sea World said in a statement.

Adult whales have been spotted breaching in the water near where the calf beached itself.