Queensland, brace yourselves: Cyclone Alfred delivered more than just heavy winds and rain. Last month, we had crocodiles washed up on our shores, and this month, Alfred decided to mix things up by tossing something far more unexpected—cocaine bricks—onto Bundaberg’s coastline.
But it wasn’t just the *blow* of a different kind that kept people talking. Cyclone Alfred also gave the Queensland coast a dramatic makeover, reshaping beaches and delivering waves that surfers could only dream of. Double Island Point was firing, and the Superbank down the coast attracted surfers from all over the globe. What were once familiar stretches of sandy shorelines were transformed, as the powerful waves carved into the coastline and reshaped dunes.
While the surf scene got an upgrade, there was another drama unfolding on the beach—one that seemed straight out of an action movie. No, it wasn’t a rescue operation for stranded tourists, but a full-on search mission for cocaine bricks washed ashore. Picture a *Bad Boys* movie—minus the car chases, but with officers scrambling to recover their unexpected, illegal cargo. Suddenly, Bundaberg’s beaches felt like the set of a Michael Bay film—without the explosions, just lots of sand and a few misplaced packages.
As if Alfred wasn’t wreaking enough havoc on the coast, Hervey Bay also felt the storm’s fury. Streets flooded faster than you could blink, but the national media had its eyes glued to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, leaving Hervey Bay in the shadows. Yet, the locals didn’t mind. They were out there, paddling through flooded streets like seasoned pros, taking the storm in stride.
And for those still calling Alfred a “hurricane,” let’s clear that up. Cyclones and hurricanes aren’t the same. A cyclone spins clockwise, while a hurricane spins counterclockwise—thanks to the Coriolis effect, which is how Earth’s rotation influences wind direction. So, when Alfred hit, it was a cyclone, not a hurricane. And no, we’re not in Miami, the so-called cocaine capital of the world, though these odd packages might have had some wondering otherwise.
At the end of the day, Queenslanders are no strangers to a bit of stormy chaos. Whether it’s crocodiles, floods, or surprise deliveries from the ocean, we take it all in stride. Who knows what Alfred’s next trick will be? Maybe a treasure chest, some lost pirate gold, or even a blockbuster movie filmed on location. Whatever it is, we’ll be ready—because in Queensland, the unexpected is just part of the fun!
Published April 2025