General News
23 January, 2026
Lucky escape
A VISITING family has questioned the clarity of warning signs at the popular Josephine Falls swimming spot after their son was swept down the waterfall in a safety scare.
The boy’s mother, Hollie Anne Marsh from the Sunshine Coast, said the family were swimming at the falls at the base of Mt Bartle Frere during the holiday break when there was an unexpected situation in the water.
“Our son (eight) was snorkelling near the rocks, alongside other children, when he was suddenly pulled through the rocks by a current and pushed down the waterfall,” Ms Marsh posted on a local social media page.
Luckily, quick responses by the boy’s mum and dad and others swimming there on the day ensured everyone made it back to the bank safely.
“Thankfully, he managed to grab onto a rock and some absolutely wonderful people downstream formed a human chain and helped get him (and us) out,” she posted.
“As we (mum and dad) dived in after him, we were cut up and bruised, but we are incredibly grateful that this is all that happened. It could have been a very different outcome for all three of us.
“If the people who helped us happen to be in this group, we would love to thank you properly – your actions meant everything to our family.
“For context, we are strong, confident swimmers and we watched the water carefully before going in.”
Ms Marsh said that after the scare, they were also “shocked” to learn more about Josephine Falls, previous deaths by drowning at the falls and the lack of mobile phone coverage.
“Probably what most surprised me was the signage,” she said.
Ms Marsh said they believed the danger referred to people taking risks and skylarking.
“It does say the area is dangerous, but we had assumed that referred mainly to people taking risks or doing unsafe things – not families and children swimming calmly near rocks that appear to act as a barrier, but actually allow strong, hidden currents to pull people through.”
Ms Marsh then questioned the area’s warning signs.
“If the signs had specifically warned us to stay well away from the rocks due to hidden currents that can pull people through, we absolutely would have done so,” she said.
“I really think more specific signage, perhaps on the gate before entering, could help people be more aware, especially families with small kids.
The Observer asked the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), which is responsible for the signs in Wooroonooran National Park where the falls are located, about the adequacy of the warnings on the signs.
A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), which oversees QPWS, said there were many warning signs (right) at Josephine Falls, starting from the park entrance, where there is a sign that advises that deaths have occurred in the area.
There are three restricted access signs and three no entry signs that must be passed to get to the falls, as well as several hazard signs warning of rapid water level rises, slippery rocks and submerged objects.
Signs in the toilets also warn of the restricted access area and that penalties apply, with fines of up to $645.
“For safety reasons, we urge people to pay attention to numerous signs and safety messaging and to avoid entering restricted access areas,” the spokesman said. “The safety of visitors in our protected areas is our number one priority.”
