Norfolk Island residents are bracing for damage from Cyclone Gabrielle, which is expected to bring the most destructive weather to hit the remote outpost in three decades.
The cyclone was reclassified as a category two storm - down from a category three - as it neared the Australian territory.
The centre of the cyclone is predicted to pass over or near the island on Saturday evening, bringing destructive winds and very heavy surf.
The Bureau of Meteorology said Cyclone Gabrielle was moving quickly at 3pm, Norfolk Island time, on Saturday and was about 195km west-northwest of the island, home to around 2000 residents.
"Gale-force winds and high waves are currently developing and conditions may worsen overnight as the centre of the cyclone moves past," it said.
"Periods of gales are expected over Norfolk Island during this afternoon through into Sunday afternoon.
"There are some indications that the island may avoid the strongest winds of the system, however, a period of destructive winds is still possible during the evening or early Sunday, with gusts up to 140km/h."
A hazardous surf warning was in place for the Frazer Island Coast, Sunshine Coast Waters and Gold Coast waters until midnight on Sunday.
The bureau was urging people to consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas, and for boaters to consider delaying their voyage if they planned to cross shallow water and ocean bars.
Norfolk Island administrator Eric Hutchinson said the territory had already experienced a "wild night" with some power outages, but the cyclone wasn't expected to make its full impact until later on Saturday afternoon.
Tourists were urged to leave ahead of the storm, but Mr Hutchinson said anywhere between 800 and 950 visitors likely remained on the island.
"We are well prepared and we have just got to see this through, and then we will look at what resources are going to be needed in a recovery phase from tomorrow," he told ABC TV.
As the eye of the cyclone passes over the island, destructive winds might ease for a short period before regenerating, blowing from the opposite direction.
Teams of military and emergency personnel are on standby to respond as needed.
An emergency evacuation centre was made available on Saturday morning.
While heavy rain was less likely on Saturday afternoon, periods of heavy rain could develop overnight into Sunday morning before easing later in the day, the bureau said.
Mr Hutchinson said a cyclone of similar strength last passed over Norfolk Island in the mid-1990s, and residents were bracing for damage.
"We are expecting power outages, trees coming down, the potential for houses to lose roofs," he said.
Mr Hutchinson said he was most concerned about damage to visitor accommodation and the island's hospital, but there were contingency plans in place to deal with those events.
New Zealand's Met Service expects the cyclone to weaken to a tropical low before it moves towards the North Island on Sunday, although it is predicted to deliver severe wet and windy weather to regions including flood-hit Auckland.
© AAP 2023