However, the Bureau of Meteorology says it could still bring strong winds and heavy rain as it moves inland.
"As the system moves inland, it will carry a lot of that moisture with it, gradually pushing it through central and then more western parts of Queensland," meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.
Kirrily approached the Queensland coast near Townsville on Thursday night as a severe category three system, producing gusts up to 170km/h.
The cyclone's intensity eased to a category one system after moving inland, with maximum gusts of 120km/h about midnight.
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily crossed the Queensland coast as a category two system at 10 pm AEST, between Townsville and Ingham, and is now moving over land — Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) #CycloneKirrilyLatest: https://t.co/jlOoTZL1iF or the BOM Weather app. pic.twitter.com/PRqWxJ08iAJanuary 25, 2024
It is believed to be the strongest cyclone to hit the region since Cyclone Althea devastated north Queensland back in 1971.
It capped a remarkable transformation for the system.
After lingering in the Coral Sea for days, a tropical low finally developed into Cyclone Kirrily on Wednesday.
It was then upgraded to category two on Thursday morning but took just five hours to reach category three status.
North Queensland had bunkered down by 2pm AEST on Thursday as winds intensified.
Townsville airport and more than 120 schools were closed with hundreds of emergency services on standby.
Many Australia Day ceremonies planned for Friday were cancelled while Queensland Rail services north of Rockhampton were suspended.
More than 30,000 homes were already without power late on Thursday amid warnings it could take days to restore electricity in some areas.
Following its coastal crossing, the system is predicted to weaken into a tropical low on Friday.
A severe weather warning has been issued for communities in the system's path, forecasting intense rainfall which could lead to "life-threatening" flash flooding in some areas.
The bureau says falls up to 250mm could be possible in the northern end of the tropical low.
A flood watch for parts of the state's central west and Gulf country was issued late on Thursday.
Flooding is likely to cut roads and isolate some communities, the warning said.
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