The search for a foreign tourist has ended with the recovery of his body from an isolated waterfall on a popular but often “betrayed” hiking route.
Emergency services were called to Babinda Falls south of Cairns, in far north Queensland, on Sunday afternoon following reports that a man fell into the water and was unable to surface.
The tourist, 29, was hiking with three friends at the time.
A major search was immediately launched involving multiple teams from police, SES, Queensland Fire Department Swift Water Rescue and two helicopters.
The search was suspended due to lack of light on Sunday night and resumed early Monday morning.
Swift water rescue teams located the body of a man in the water around 11 a.m.
A formal identification is being carried out to establish his identity and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
“There were some injuries to the body and all will be examined as part of the investigation,” Senior Sergeant Rob Campbell said Monday.
The search for a missing hiker involved multiple emergency services teams.
The tourist’s body was recovered from the water at Babinda Falls on Monday morning.
Located in Wooroonooran National Park, 65km south of Cairns, the 3km trail to Babinda Falls includes several stream crossings.
It is not an authorized hiking route, which can be “treacherous” after heavy rain, prompting a warning to visitors.
“The rain has increased the water flow and at this time of year, being an unmaintained trail, there are a lot of things that contribute to it being a rugged area,” Sergeant Campbell said.
‘This is quite treacherous terrain at this time of year due to the rain and water coming in.
‘It’s not a licensed trail, so it’s not well maintained or conserved, and it’s also a rainforest, so all those things combined can be a treacherous place at times.
‘It is used from time to time and we have had occasions in the past of other incidents similar to this.
“We are very aware that people use this as a place to swim and for recreation.”
The hiking route to Babinda Falls (pictured on Monday) can be “treacherous” after heavy rains
Babinda Falls is a two-hour walk from the famous Babinda Boulders, a famous rainforest rock pool where 21 people have lost their lives, including three since 2020.
The undercurrent has been described as a “washing machine” that sucks swimmers in and makes it almost impossible for them to get to safety.
The region has experienced heavy rain in recent days, including a 94mm downpour on nearby Mount Bartle Frere on Saturday.
The latest incident comes after a 20-year-old man died after jumping from the top of the Crystal Cascades waterfall near Cairns earlier this year.