Australia Avoids Worst of Cyclone Nathan

A strong cyclone swept ashore in northeastern Australia Friday, but widespread damage appears to have been avoided with the storm taking a late turn to make landfall in a remote area.

Tropical Cyclone Nathan barrelled in as a category four storm but veered north before hitting the coast to miss Cooktown, a community with 2,500 people some 260 kilometres (160 miles) from popular tourist destination Cairns.

The nearby indigenous township of Hopevale also largely escaped, emergency response officials said.

"I think we've been fortunate that it has gone in and affected more remote areas where there is less population," said State Emergency Service assistant commissioner Peter Jeffrey.

"The cyclone is diminishing as it is over land. That is good news," he added.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said no injuries had been reported.

"Once again we've shown how resilient our communities can be and we are very thankful that Cyclone Nathan did cross to that northern section," she said in Brisbane. 

"We were very concerned yesterday that it could swing further down south and have a huge impact on those local communities."

Nathan arrived on the heels of Super Cyclone Pam that devastated neighbouring Vanuatu a week ago, and follows two fierce storms hitting northern Australia within hours of each other in February, leaving a trail of devastation.

Cyclones, which are common in northeastern Australia, range from one to five in strength, with five the most severe.