The epicentre of the quake struck at Kilkivan, west of Gympie and 256 km north of Brisbane, at 9.50am today.

It struck at a depth of 10km, according to GeoScience Australia.

The quake was felt as far away as Brisbane, with witness reports saying they felt the shake as far afield as Bundaberg and the Gold Coast.

More than 12,000 people have reported feeling the quake.

Seismologist Michelle Salmon said the shake was felt from Cairns to Wollongong.

“This is the largest earthquake we’ve had on shore in 50 years,” Salmon said.

“We can certainly expect more aftershocks from this event.

“An earthquake of this magnitude has the potential to cause damage. While we don’t assess damage, it’s important to contact state emergency services if you notice any damage to your property,” she advised.

Gympie teenager Jemma Falla was playing guitar on her bed when the items on her desk started rattling.

“The house started shaking… It felt like the dryer was shaking but a lot more,” Falla told Nine.com.au.

“I’ve been to the Pacific airshow before, and it was the same shaking as when the jets go over.”

“It was really strong… it sort of got worse, and then it died down.”

Falla, who lives in the centre of Gympie, ran outside to the street where other neighbours had gathered.

“I think everyone was puzzled… it was sheer disbelief… when I realized what happened, it was a relief to know I wasn’t imagining it; we had just experienced an earthquake.”

“It was so unexpected because nothing ever happens in Gympie. My friend’s mom mentioned that this would probably be the most interesting event Gympie has ever seen.”

Meanwhile, over 250km away, Jessica Ward from Upper Caboolture was watching TV with her fiancé when their house began to shake simultaneously.

“All of a sudden, the entire house started shaking, the windows were rattling, I heard the washing machine moving around,” she said.

“We looked at each other like, was that an earthquake?

“It was really intense for a couple of seconds, and then it died down a bit.”

She said her father also felt the quake in Deception Bay, and her partner’s parents felt it from Redcliff.

Ward said it was the first earthquake she had ever experienced. 

“I’m 26 years old, I’ve never heard of a quake in Brisbane.”

Felt reports have even crossed the border into northern New South Wales, with people in the town of Lismore reportedly feeling it.

About 13,000 homes are without power around Cherbourg and Burrum Heads, Ergon Energy reports.