International tourist’s body found at dangerous Dalwood Falls near Alstonville in Ballina Shire

A backpacker who tragically died at one of northern NSW’s most deadly swimming holes must have seen warning signs and navigated barriers while entering the site closed to the public.

Police at the scene after a swimmer died at the falls in a previous tragedy. Archive image. Picture: Rodney Stevens/Northern Star

A backpacker found dead at one of northern NSW’s most dangerous swimming holes must have seen warning signs and navigated barriers while entering the site closed to the public.

Dalwood Falls near Alstonville in the Ballina Shire is a gorgeous natural attraction lauded online – and the site of several deaths and multiple serious injuries in recent years.

The international visitor on a tourist visa – who is yet to be identified and police believe is aged 23 – is the latest victim of the dangerous and prohibited attraction, which draws crowds regardless.

Dalwood Falls. Picture: Daniel Mabbott.

A multi-agency search was carried out at the falls after reports the man had jumped from a cliff into the water and failed to resurface on Sunday afternoon.

Police divers found the man’s body on Monday after a search spanning about 24 hours.

It’s thought he was staying on the Gold Coast. It’s understood police reached out to overseas partners to track down the man’s family.

Ballina Shire Council manages the site of the falls. It initially bought four allotments around the waterfall in the 1970s to secure access to a back-up water supply.

Previous discussions surrounding the sale and possible land management by Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council have been raised yet never eventuated.

Cliff jumpers have died at Dalwood Falls. File image.

Dalwood Falls was closed to the public in June 2016 after the death of a man who had jumped from a tree in January 2014.

The council said the falls were off-limits to the public, but had little else to say.

“Council warning signs are in place at the entry to the location, and barriers are used to deter visitors to the site,” a spokesman said.

Dalwood Falls is pitched across the internet as a must-see destination, though some websites have since noted the closure.

One travel company, Byron Bay Escapes, describes the location as “Byron Bay’s Hidden Waterfall Gem”.

“Nestled in the heart of Byron Bay, Dalwood Falls stands as a testament to nature’s beauty and the allure of hidden gems,” an article reads.

Dalwood Falls near Alstonville.

“This waterfall, with its cascading waters and serene ambience, offers a tranquil escape from the bustling world outside.”

An amendment has been made: Note this location is currently closed to public (sic).”

The site Swim Map writes that the swimming hole is “on private land”, but “it is such a beautiful waterhole that no person can physically resist swimming here”.

“The no entry signs are for legal reasons as a lot of people have been hurt and even died jumping off the falls. Take care and respect the property owners,” an article reads.

The falls have been closed. Pictured are visitors in a Northern Star archive photo.

The death of the man who jumped from the tree was the second widely reported tragedy at the falls. Another man died there more than 20 years ago.

Emergency services also told the council about a spate of serious spinal injuries suffered by visitors.

Long-time former Ballina Mayor David Wright previously said the council had done everything that could be done to “keep people away” from the falls.

That included signs warning of the fatalities at the falls.

Swimmers head to Dalwood Falls to escape the heat – despite warning signs.

Videos on social media and across the internet show thrillseekers jumping from Dalwood Falls, no doubt increasing the allure of the site.

This publication has chosen not to republish the footage to avoid encouraging further risky behaviour at the shuttered site.