Earthquake hits North Queensland and Christchurch

A 5.4 magnitude quake has hit near Bowen Queensland, and was felt from Airlie beach, down to Townsville.

Just eighteen minutes later, a 5.2 magnitude quake hit Christchurch in New Zealand.

According to the The US genealogical survey, the first earthquake struck 124km southeast of Townsville at 3:31pm today, April 16, and is the biggest to have hit Queensland in a number of years.

No tsunami warning has been issued given the epicentre of the quake was on land.

No casualties have been reported.