AN EARTHQUAKE has rocked a tourist hotspot near the Great Barrier Reef – forcing holidaymakers to evacuate.

The 4.4 magnitude quake struck near Townsville, North Queensland, around 9:30pm, according to Geosciences Australia.

Brenn Clinton, a British CEO, said his daughter is staying in a hotel in the town and had to evacuate the building.

He said: “My daughter just FaceTimed, she’s just been evacuated from her hotel due to an earthquake, North Australia. Never experienced at earthquake before.”

Tremors were felt as far north as Cairns, 282km up the coast.

Anyone who needs help was urged to call the emergency services by the geoscience group.

Townsville is the largest community in North Queensland with a population of 200,000.

It is home to the Reef HQ Aquarium which hosts marine life, coral and a turtle hospital.

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