Horror scenes have unfolded at a popular tourist hotspot as emergency services carried out an unthinkable rescue.

Harrowing footage has emerged from a daring rescue that saved the lives of seven tourists who were left clinging to a cliff as waves lapped below.

The heart-stopping rescue took place over the weekend at North Head lookout in Durras, New South Wales, after a family-of-seven, four adults and three children, got into a bad situation.

It is understood that they had spent the morning walking along the base of the cliffs when the tide suddenly started coming in.

With nowhere else to go, they were forced to climb the rocky cliff face and wait for help as the waves became increasingly high and powerful.

Eurobodalla SES commander Peter Collins told news.com.au it took three nerve-racking hours for all seven of the tourists to be rescued, but thankfully, everyone was okay.

“We get a fair few calls from people who are stuck places and usually we can just walk them out,” he explained.

“But when we got there, I knew this was not going to be an ordinary rescue. This was a very, very dangerous situation.

“They were so close to the waves breaking at the bottom and I thought, gosh, if a huge wave comes in, it’s going to wash them straight off and they’d be gone.”

The holiday-makers had been walking around the bottom of the rocks on Sunday morning when they called police at 9am stating that they needed assistance.

The police then called Westpac Rescue Helicopters, who flew out to the scene, but soon realised it was far too dangerous for them to help.

If a huge wave had come, they would have been swept out to sea. Picture: Facebook / NSW SES
“The chopper would have just blown them off the cliff face,” Mr Collins explained.

“So that is when they called us. By the time we got there, it was around 11.30am, so they had been stuck there for 2 and a half hours already.”

The crew began by setting up an ‘Arizona Vortex’ frame at the top of the cliff, which is basically for edge protection.

“First of all, we lowered one of our more experience members down to them,” he continued.

“They assessed them for first aid, and to see whether they needed water or any other assistance.

“They then decided the order in which who was going to be rescued first and all that, starting with the youngest.

“They were actually quite calm, but when they started raising them, they were quite white-knuckled.

If a huge wave had come, they would have been swept out to sea. Picture: Facebook / NSW SES

The family were on the cliff face for hours. Picture: Facebook / NSW SES
“We took them one-by-one and had set up our own first aid station while the ambulance was on the way.

“Other than a few scrapes, there were thankfully no serious injuries.”

Miraculously, all seven survived thanks to the help of the SES crew.

Mr Collins said it was probably “the biggest rescue” he had ever been involved in and urges others to take care when walking around the rock edge.

“Our team were all just so happy at the end of it,” he said.

They were hoisted up one by one. Picture: Facebook / NSW SES
“I think it was the biggest rescue I have been involved it.

“When you’re walking around rock edges, you need to be really aware of what could happen, especially when there are big waves.

“Basically the rule is, if the rock is wet, don’t go there.”

On their Facebook page, the NSW SES Moruya and NSW SES Batemans Bay Units shared the experience to their followers, who applauded their efforts.

“The rescue was for 7 holiday makers stranded in the Rocks near the North Head Camp ground, South of Durras,” they wrote.

“️The casualties consisted of three children and four adults… [who were] hiking around the waters edge and became trapped by the high tide along with a rather large swell.

“They managed to climb up to a ledge about 10 metres above the waves to await rescue.

The SES crew worked hard in the rescue. Picture: Facebook / NSW SES
“The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was activated, however the operation deemed too dangerous to try and winch the casualties off the cliff face, thus activating the Eurobodalla SES Vertical Rescue team to perform the Rescue.

“Upon arrival, it became evident that this was going to be difficult and extracted rescue.

“Slowly, 1×1 the casualties were extracted to the top of the cliff by us lowering a NSW SES Team Member, 40 metres down a cliff face to hook up a casualty to then be hauled back up to the top.

“The Rescue Operation took us over three hours to perform. The casualties were tired and cold, but in good spirits and very glad to be back on high ground.

It was a dangerous rescue. Picture: Facebook / NSW SES
“Huge thank you to all NSW SES Batemans Bay and Moruya Teams who performed the Rescue, outstanding job.”

“Whoa, that looks proper dangerous,” one commented.

“Great work everyone.”

“Well done Eurobodalla SES! Thanks for your service to our community.” another said.

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“They were so lucky you guys were able to rescue them, well done all of you.”

In 2025, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) recorded its second-busiest year on record, with volunteers responding to over 60,000 incidents and answering more than 140,000 calls for help.

This represents an average of approximately 1,100 incidents per week, with peak demand occurring in January, March, and May 2025, driven by severe storms and flooding.