Swiss Traveller Killed in Suspected Bull Shark Attack on Remote NSW Beach

A Swiss man has died and his partner seriously injured after a suspected bull shark attack at a remote Mid North Coast beach, prompting authorities to launch extensive surveillance operations along the coastline.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) confirmed that early assessments indicated a large bull shark, likely more than three metres long, was responsible for the incident at Kylies Beach in the Crowdy Bay National Park on Thursday. The beach, known for its isolation and difficult access, can only be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicles, significantly delaying emergency responders.

Following the tragedy, DPIRD deployed specialised shark-sighting technology at Kylies Beach but detected no sharks in the immediate aftermath. The same technology was also used to scan waters off Port Macquarie to the north and Forster to the south — both popular tourist destinations — with no sharks recorded in either location.

Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce described the incident as “highly uncommon,” noting that it is rare for two people to be attacked during the same event. “It’s a very isolated location — access is only by 4WD — so that delayed emergency services reaching the scene,” Pearce said. “Our priority today is ensuring the area is safe. We have crews on the ground and drones in the sky.”

Pearce said Surf Life Saving NSW personnel would maintain a strong presence in the region throughout Friday, focusing on aerial surveillance and beach patrols. “Today it’s about surveilling that whole area, keeping a big presence up there, having the drones in the sky,” he said. “We’re making sure we see no other sharks and making sure anyone around that location is safe for the next couple of days.”

Swiss Traveller Killed in Suspected Bull Shark Attack on Remote NSW Beach

The victims, identified as Swiss nationals in their 20s, had been travelling across Australia for several months. The couple had documented their coastal adventures across New South Wales and Western Australia, sharing photographs and reflections online. Just days before the attack, they had been in Noosa, praising an “incredibly memorable” bed and breakfast stay following a camping trip.

Mr Schindler, who was in Australia for an “exchange semester” from Switzerland, was also a keen runner and had recently completed the Sydney Marathon, proudly posing with his finisher’s medal. His partner, Ms Mulheim, was understood to have visited Australia multiple times before the trip.

The couple had been staying near the Mid North Coast while exploring the region’s beaches and national parks. Local authorities say the remote nature of their chosen location contributed to the difficulty of responding swiftly.

Pearce emphasised that while shark encounters often dominate public attention, improved monitoring technology — rather than an increased presence of sharks — is likely responsible for the higher number of sightings reported in recent years. “Last year, our drones spotted 1,000 target sharks, including bull sharks and white sharks,” he said. “In around 800 of those cases, we had to either evacuate the water or set off sirens to warn swimmers.”

He added that some sharks detected during routine patrols had been swimming as close as 15 metres from shore. “It’s not that we’re seeing more shark interactions,” he said. “We’re seeing more sharks because we’re looking for sharks more now.”

Authorities have reiterated common safety advice, urging beachgoers to avoid swimming between dusk and dawn — peak hunting times for many shark species — and to stay out of the water in areas where there are schools of fish or other natural attractants. “If you think it’s too unsafe or too dangerous, just don’t go in,” Pearce said.

Kylies Beach remains closed as authorities continue surveillance and assess whether additional safety measures are required in the coming days. The incident marks the fifth fatal shark attack in Australia this year, prompting renewed discussions among experts and community safety advocates about how best to balance ocean recreation with environmental conservation and public safety.

Local residents have expressed shock and sadness at the news, noting that while sharks are known to inhabit the waters off the Mid North Coast, fatal attacks remain rare. The Swiss Embassy is providing consular assistance, and NSW Police say inquiries are continuing on behalf of the coroner.

As investigations progress, Surf Life Saving NSW has urged the public to remain alert, follow signage and safety advice, and report any shark sightings to authorities.