Tourists are ignoring safety warnings for the sake of the perfect selfie and continuing to climb onto Wedding Cake Rock despite being told it could collapse at any moment.
The rock, in the Royal National Park an hour south of Sydney, has become a popular location for Instagram snaps due to the unique rock formation and spectacular backdrop.
However, a 2016 geotechnical report found the cliff to be extremely unstable and that the entire formation could collapse at any time.
National Parks & Wildlife Service fenced off the area and put up signs at the time of the report warning visitors not to venture onto the rock – but tourists looking for the perfect shot are climbing over the fence and ignoring signs.
Tourists are ignoring safety warnings for the sake of the perfect selfie at a popular National Park attraction near Sydney
Visitors are continuing to climb onto Wedding Cake Rock despite being told it could collapse at any moment
The rock, in the Royal National Park an hour south of Sydney, has become a popular location for Instagram snaps
The unique rock formation and spectacular backdrop are popular for photos with many users venturing to the edge of the cliff
A 2016 geotechnical report found the cliff to be extremely unstable and that the entire formation could collapse at any time
National Parks & Wildlife Service fenced off the area and put up signs at the time of the report warning visitors not to venture onto the rock
The formation appears to already be separated from the rest of the cliff by large cracks when viewed from above
Tourists looking for the perfect shot are climbing over the fence and ignoring signs with large groups adding weight to the rock and furthering the risk
Drone footage taken previously shows how precarious the rock actually is with it appearing to be resting of crumbled stone
Tourists take photos of themselves hanging over the edge or performing stunts for the ultimate social media snap
Wedding Cake Rock is so called because of its white colour, layered flat surface, and sharp edges
Wedding Cake Rock is so called because of its white colour, layered flat surface, and sharp edges.
The colour is caused by iron in the sandstone leaching out and bleaching the rock.
The sandstone could crumble, experts say, with large cracks already visible in the rock face that appear to separate it from the rest of the cliff.
Drone footage previously shot of Wedding Cake Rock shows just how precarious the structure is with it appearing to be standing on a foundation of already crumbling stone.
The sandstone could crumble, experts say, with large cracks already visible in the rock face that appear to separate it from the rest of the cliff
The colour is caused by iron in the sandstone leaching out and bleaching the rock giving it its unique colour
Authorities introduced $300 fines to those climbing onto the rock, however, that doesn’t seem to deter visitors
Authorities introduced $300 fines to those climbing onto the rock and risking their lives in the potential 50m drop the ocean.
A student fell to his death in 2014 when a sandstone cliff in the area crumbled under him.
In November 2015, two men were winched to safety after slipping on the rock and becoming stranded on a lower ledge.
Many people have shared social media posts of people doing stunts on the rock surface and taking photos dangerously close to, or even hanging over, the edge.
The spot is very popular for social media snaps despite the danger and warnings from authorities
A group of seven people poses on the edge of the cliff for a drone photo adding further weight to the rock
Visitors are continuing to ignore safety warnings not to venture onto the rock in the hopes they will get the perfect picture