Hundreds of lives at risk over social media’s deadly obsession with Sydney’s Figure 8 pools
THEY’VE become our trendiest tourist spots but social media’s obsession with Sydney’s mysterious Figure 8 Pools is putting hundreds of lives at risk.
NSW
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THEY’VE become our trendiest tourist spots but social media’s obsession with Sydney’s mysterious Figure 8 Pools is putting hundreds of lives at risk.
More than 100 people were injured, three of them seriously, after powerful waves smashed into visitors at the rock pools in Sydney’s Royal National Park at the weekend.
Emergency services were called to the coastal spot on Saturday after approximately 150 people standing on the rocks were hit by powerful waves, knocking some over the edge of the ledge.
An Ambulance NSW helicopter and Westpac Lifesaver helicopter attended the scene, airlifting three women to hospital.
The once quiet site has gained enormous popularity over the past year after visitors began posting photos of its naturally formed pools on social media.
Like fellow Royal National Park attraction Wedding Cake Rock, Figure 8 Pools has become a fashionable but risky spot to visit and share photos of.
Kane Weeks, from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, told the ABC social media had had a significant influence on how the organisation managed the site.
“The visitation to Figure 8 has increased over the last 12 months, but in the last month we’ve seen a dramatic increase at the site,” he said.
“We’ve had to upgrade parking and try to limit the amount of people going to the site because of the risks.”
Mr Weeks said a visit to the site would take about four hours return over challenging terrain.
“We’ve got information on the national parks website that clearly indicates you need to go at low tide, but it was the swell and height of the wave that people got caught out with [at the weekend].
“[Social media] brings a whole new demographic to the Royal National Park with young people and international visitors, but they need to understand the safety concerns for the site.”
The accident at the weekend has prompted calls for a lifeguard service to be stationed at Figure 8 Pools.
The NSW Parks and Wildlife Service has posted this advice for sightseers.
■Access to Figure Eight Pools is only possible at low tide. The rockpools and the last kilometre leading to them are under water at high tide.
■Even at low tide, waves can crash across the pools. Check the tide height and wave size before making your way to the rockpools.
■Never turn your back on the ocean
■The rock platform surface is covered in slippery lichens and seaweed, so remember to wear sturdy shoes.
■There are a few other deep rockpools in this location which you can swim or dip your feet in at low tide
■Be prepared for a difficult walk. The walk back to Garrawarra Farm is up a steep track that climbs up the coastal escarpment. Please leave extra time for your return journey.
■There’s no lifeguard service at the pools
■You won’t pass any toilets or places to eat on the way. Bring plenty of water and food for the day.
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