Search for missing Sydney teen Astin Gerstl off Mid-North Coast beach enteres fourth day

The search for a Sydney teenager who went missing in the surf on a schoolies trip to the Mid-North Coast has been scaled down as it enters its fourth day.

DAILY TELEGRAPH DECEMBER 2, 2025, Little Bay Beach at Arakoon in the Mid North Coast where a teenager has gone missing while swimming over the weekend. The search continued today. Picture: Shelley Brauer.

The search for a Sydney teenager who went missing in the surf on a Schoolies trip to the Mid-North Coast has been scaled down as it enters its fourth day.

Astin Gerstl, who attended the prestigious Kings School in Sydney, was last seen struggling to swim in rough conditions off Little Bay Beach on the Mid-North Coast on Sunday at around 4.30pm.

Since then police, surf lifesavers and NSW Marine Rescue have been scouring the water around the narrow inlet beach for any sign of the missing 18-year-old.

On Wednesday morning the search resumed at 8am but with only police and NSW Marine Rescue watercraft and personnel involved.

The Kings College student Astin Gerstl, 18, has been missing since Sunday, November 30, when he went swimming at Little Bay Beach near South West Rocks Picture: Supplied

High wind and swell severely hampered search efforts on Tuesday but on Wednesday it was relatively calm waters.

Mr Gerstl, who recently completed his HSC at The King’s School in North Parramatta, is understood to have been on a Schoolies trip up with friends when the tragedy struck.

DAILY TELEGRAPH DECEMBER 2, 2025, Little Bay Beach at Arakoon in the Mid North Coast where a teenager has gone missing while swimming over the weekend. The search continued today. Picture: Shelley Brauer.

On Tuesday afternoon his former Kings schoolmates were urged to “hold him in their hearts” in a school-wide letter sent by acting headmaster Stephen Edwards sent a letter to families, which also said “our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this profoundly difficult time”.

Mr Gerstl’s father was seen at the beach on Tuesday making phone calls in the company of another man.

Inspector Peter Walton addresses the media during the desperate search for an 18-year-old who vanished on a schoolies trip from a Mid-North Coast beach is ongoing despite Marine Rescue calling off their efforts due to “deteriorating offshore conditions”. The teenager, believed to be a student from The King’s School in Sydney, was last seen struggling in the surf at Little Bay Beach in Arakoon shortly before 4.20pm on Sunday (November 30, 2025). NSW Police said emergency services were called to the beach, a picturesque cove usually reserved for wedding photos, after reports the young man had encountered difficulty in the water. Picture: Shelley Brauer.

NSW Police Inspector Peter Walton, who coordinated search efforts on Tuesday, told the media that he had spoken to the family.

“It’s a tragedy for them, they are holding up as best as they can and we are keeping them updated,” he said.

Insp Walton also said he was “proud” that Mr Gerstl’s friends and others at the beach went out to help the distressed teenager in difficult conditions.

Originally published as Search for missing Sydney teen Astin Gerstl off Mid-North Coast beach enteres fourth day