Australia braced for a rare east coast tropical cyclone that is swirling towards Brisbane, its third-most populous city, with authorities urging residents in flood-prone suburbs to evacuate soon.

Cyclone Alfred is set to bring severe flooding to Australia when it makes landfall near Brisbane.

Australia's east coast braced on Wednesday for a tropical cyclone that is swirling towards Brisbane, the country's third-most populous city, as authorities warned thousands of properties were at risk due to strong winds and flash flooding.

The winds forecast for some densely-populated areas on the Australian coast have been described as "destructive"

Cyclone Alfred is bearing down on Queensland and NSW and expected to make landfall today or Friday. Many thousands of residents, with help from the government, are preparing and securing their properties. Evacuation centres are open while businesses and schools across the region are closed.

Thousands of Australians are under emergency weather warnings as a tropical cyclone threatens to cause destruction on the country’s densely populated eastern coast.