The severe tropical cyclone threatening to crash into the Queensland coast has weakened this morning.
Cyclone Ului has been downgraded to a category two system and is unlikely to re-intensify, according to the Bureau of Meteorology's latest advice.
Forecasters believe the monster storm will reach land early Sunday, somewhere north of Proserpine and south of Townsville.
The Whitsunday islands have been practically shut down in anticipation of the destructive storm.
Fierce winds and massive swells have cancelled most tourist activities and many people are evacuating the region, Tourism Whitsundays CEO Peter O'Reilly said.
Emergency Management Queensland Central region director Robbie Medlin said crews were being relocated to Proserpine, Mackay and Rockhampton in anticipation of the cyclone.
Two Queensland Fire and Rescue swift water rescue teams have been deployed to North Queensland, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said.
“A further six additional QFRS teams are on standby for deployment, including Urban Search and Rescue and rapid damage assessment teams," he said.
“State Emergency Services personnel across the state have been alerted to possible deployment.
“All equipment caches are fully stocked with sandbags, tarpaulins and chainsaws.”
At 10am, Ului was travelling about 13 kmh and whipping up winds of 165 kmh.
It was 950 kilometres east northeast of Mackay and 1100 kilometres east northeast of Townsville.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Terry Erbs said a combination of the cyclone and a high pressure system off the Tasman Sea was causing dangerous sea conditions and gale force winds were expected along the coast by tomorrow.
Jetstar has cancelled all flights to Hamilton Island for tomorrow and Sunday, although services to Mackay and Proserpine will run per normal. It is understood Virgin Blue has also stopped its flights to Hamilton Island.
Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said all flights out of Hamilton Island this afternoon were full.
Mr O'Reilly said scores of guests were cancelling their holidays to the islands.
Many island resorts had evacuated to stronger buildings.
Hook Island evacuated yesterday and Mr O'Reilly expected several other of the major islands to clear out today.
"By the end of today I'd be fairly surprised if a couple of others haven't [evacuated] as well," he said.
"The smaller resorts and those without cyclone-rated buildings, a couple of the older ones, have already evacuated.
"Hamilton Island will move everybody into the Reef View Hotel, which is a cyclone-rated hotel and people will be safe and secure there.
"Hayman Island, I'd say they will sit tight."
Mr O'Reilly said the region would suffer economically.
Boat tours had been called off, although ferries were still operating this morning.
"That's a very, very big part of the business here. We have over 2000 beds out on the water overnight, that's a very significant impact," Mr O'Reilly said.
"There's a couple of businesses who could go out in these circumstances but I'd be surprised to hear that they were.
"[However], it's not our busiest time of year, so in that regard I guess it's good."
Some operators had moved their boats from marinas to natural harbours, considered safer during a cyclone.
The Bureau of Meteorology has declared a cyclone watch for between Cardwell and Yeppoon, with residents warned to prepare for damaging winds and outlying areas to expect heavy rainfall.
"Damaging winds should develop between Cardwell and Yeppoon during Saturday, and increase further on Saturday night as the cyclone approaches the coast," according to a Bureau statement.
The brunt of Ului will also be experienced further south, with high seas, swells and dangerous surf conditions expected to develop at exposed beaches.
More than 250 people have evacuated from Heron Island, off the Gladstone coast.
Gladstone Regional Council has set up an evacuation centre in preparation for heavy rainfall and possible localised flooding.
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