Easter traffic: Almost 30km delays greet those escaping to the beaches
Bumper-to-bumper traffic greeted thousands of motorists on the Bruce Highway and M1, as Brisbane residents tried to head to the Gold and Sunshine coasts for the Easter long weekend.
Almost 30 kilometres of congestion had built up on the two major coastal routes, meaning a frustrating start for those hoping to escape to the south-east's beaches.
More than 15 kilometres of congestion had formed on the Bruce Highway, with traffic cameras showing heavy delays through Burpengary.
Photo: Department of Transport and Main RoadsAustralian Traffic Network reporter Adam Smith said it was slow-going in southbound lanes on the M1, with heavy traffic stretching about 10 kilometres from Robina to Palm Beach about 1pm.
Meanwhile, almost 20 kilometres of congestion had formed on the Bruce Highway heading north, with traffic at a standstill from Dakabin to Caboolture as of 1pm, according to Mr Smith.
ATN reporter Charlton Hart said the M1 congestion cleared about 2pm, but the Bruce Highway remained a bottleneck later in the afternoon.
The previous northbound congestion on the Bruce Highway between Dakabin and Caboolture cleared about 2.30pm, but more than 15 kilometres of northbound traffic had formed between Beerburrum and Bells Creek by 2.45pm, according to Mr Hart.
There was further disappointment and frustration awaiting the Easter travellers, with lifeguards closing a total of 32 beaches across Queensland because of dangerous surf conditions on Friday.
Surf Life Saving Queensland tweeted Alex Heads, Discovery, Marcoola, Maroochydore, North Peregian, Peregian, Rainbow, Sunrise, Sunshine, Twin Waters, Wurtulla and Currimundi beaches were all closed on the Sunshine Coast.
Mermaid Beach, Miami Beach, Nobby Beach, North Burleigh, Rainbow Bay, Surfers Paradise, Tallebudgera and Tugun were off-limits for swimmers on the Gold Coast.