Authorities have issued a fresh warning to thrillseekers after disturbing footage emerged of a teenager falling 25 metres from a tree at Manly’s Jump Rock.
The video, shared on the Creatures of Manly Facebook page, shows a young person jumping from near the top of a tree that stands on the 10-metre cliff face near Spring Cove. The jump went dangerously wrong when the individual struck several branches during the descent, causing an uncontrolled spin before hitting the water back-first.
Around a dozen other young people gathered on Jump Rock can be seen in the footage encouraging the jump with a countdown. One female voice in the video can be heard saying the group were behaving stupidly.
Northern Beaches Council has responded to the incident by reiterating its safety warnings for the area. The council said it has been working closely with police and other agencies to discourage people from jumping from coastal ledges.
According to the council, safety fencing and signage have been installed at the location and are regularly monitored for maintenance. The council has also made multiple requests to media outlets and web platforms, including Google, not to publicise locations that put people at risk.
Despite extensive safety measures, including warning signs and barricades designed to prevent access, Jump Rock continues to draw hundreds of visitors each year.
The site has a concerning history of injuries. In December 2023, emergency services were called when a 15-year-old boy broke his ankle after jumping into shallow water at low tide. Four years earlier, in December 2019, a 24-year-old woman suffered suspected spinal injuries after landing awkwardly.
Safety interventions at the site date back nearly two decades. In 2007, the former Manly Council installed three-metre steel fencing and warning signs along the cliff edge to deter jumpers. However, this measure saw some people begin jumping from the top of the fence instead. In 2009, the council briefly considered demolishing the rock platform entirely but ultimately decided against this approach.
The location, situated off Stuart Street near Spring Cove, remains a popular but perilous destination as warmer weather approaches.
Published 24-November-2025
