Gold Coast beaches closed for two days

Dangerous surf generated by ex-Cyclone Winston has forced the closure of all Gold Coast beaches for two days.

Beaches will be shut on Friday and Saturday, with powerful swells of up to four metres, strong currents and tidal surges expected to batter the coast.

"There is quite a bit of water moving around ... and we're even advising people to stay away from the water's edge," Gold Coast acting chief lifeguard Chris Maynard said.

"Unless you're a professional or very experienced surfer, we're advising that you don't go in the water."

Ex-tropical cyclone Winston, which claimed 42 lives and left tens of thousands homeless in Fiji, is heading west towards the Queensland coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning on Friday morning for Fraser Island to south of the Gold Coast.

They say rough conditions will not begin to ease until Sunday.

Lifesavers will decide on Sunday morning whether to reopen beaches.

"We'll have to wait and see ... but at this stage it appears highly unlikely," Mr Maynard said.