One of Australia's largest weapons training facilities has been evacuated as Cyclone Marcia barrels towards it.
The strong storm is expected to become a category five cyclone, packing winds up to 270km/h, before it makes landfall in central Queensland on Friday morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology says it will cross the coast between Gladstone and Mackay.
The town of St Lawrence is expected to bear the brunt of the cyclone, but nearby Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area could also take a direct hit.
Defence says it has sent home all staff and Australian Defence Force troops training from the weapons range.
"Defence has implemented a pause in training activity until the cyclone passes," a Defence spokesperson told AAP.
"Training Area staff and ADF members training at Shoalwater Bay Training Area have been sent home until it is safe to resume training."
Defence said after the cyclone a safety check of the entire 454,500 hectare site would be conducted.
Training would not resume until safety hazards were removed and environmental damage had been remediated, the spokesperson said.
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