Wild conditions caused by former tropical cyclone Seth are expected to intensify, causing more beaches to be closed in South East Queensland.

However, the Bureau of Meteorology insists that the old cyclone – now a tropical depression – has “gained momentum” and is expected to die off off Queensland in the coming days.

A dangerous surf warning was issued for southeast Fraser Island on the Gold Coast after the former cyclone approached the coast on Monday evening.

Huge swells forced beach closures on Tuesday on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast as well as Moreton Bay and the North Stradbroke Islands.

Abnormally high tides for Fraser Island, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast were forecast with water levels up to 0.5m higher than usual and coastal erosion also expected on exposed beaches.

Destructive winds with gusts of up to 100 km / h were forecast for coastal areas and higher terrain in the southeast.

BOM meteorologist Helen Reid said the tropical depression – currently located off the Gold Coast – is expected to continue to weaken by the end of the week.

But she urged residents of Queensland to heed safety warnings with conditions which are still expected to be dangerous in the coming days.

“Looks like he’s had his swing,” Ms. Reid told AAP.

“We’re not going to say ‘yes you are free to go to the beach again’ because conditions always seem difficult.

“But it looks like the worst will be today and will ease tomorrow – people just need to be patient and heed the safety advice.”

Deputy Police Commissioner Steven Gollschewski urged people to stay out of the waves.

“It was disappointing to see yesterday that there have been a number of rescues in South East Queensland on our beaches,” he said on Tuesday.

“The unsafe surf warning remains in place from Fraser Island to the Gold Coast, all the way to the border.

“So please everyone go watch the surf and please stay out of it. You are putting other people in danger if you go.”

Ms Reid said the system is expected to bring rain to the southeast and northern state of New South Wales in the coming days as it crosses the Coral Sea, but not in significant amounts.

“We are not waiting for hundreds of millimeters,” she said.

Associated Australian Press