WATCH | Rescue at Sandy Creek Falls

By Kelly Carmody

May 4, 2023

Sandy Creek Falls, lined by native bush and blissfully remote, is a gorgeous stretch of untouched scenery, away from tourists and towns, which is exactly what Janine Andrews wanted.

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“I saw waterfall on the map and couldn’t wait to take some photos,” she said.

That desire nearly cost her her life.

Sandy Creek drains the highest peaks of the Strathbogie State Forest, before winding its way down to the northern end of the Nillahcootie Dam.

Miss Andrews and her partner, Kelly Whitford, went exploring in the area on Friday, April 21, following a map bought online called Uncovering Hidden Gems.

The website sells maps charting lesser-known paths to waterfalls, mountain tops and landscapes across the country.

Map to the lesser known: Uncovering Hidden Gems. Photo by Kelly Carmody

The Murchison residents were on their first journey with the map, setting off like children on a treasure hunt, with border collie Storm in tow.

“We were so excited to see where the map was going to lead us,” Miss Andrews said.

“The location wasn’t far from home, so off we went.”

Miss Andrews said they were excited to go exploring and didn’t look too much into the comments linked to their newly purchased map.

“One said it was a moderate-to-easy walk, the other said it was steep and very rough,” she said.

They arrived in the Strathbogie State Forest around 3.30pm.

Sealed roads became dirt tracks, and eventually their 4WD couldn’t go any further. They were forced to stop about 700m short of the end of a road.

“The drive up was beautiful,” Miss Whitford said.

“Doing it on foot though was bloody hard.

“Once we reached the track entry point, I noticed there were no signs, and I did wonder what we were up against.”

As they entered into the bushland surrounded by fallen trees, boulders and a steep decline, the walking track disappeared.

“Next thing we knew we were climbing down rocks bigger than the both of us,” Miss Whitford said.

On arrival they could hear the water and see some of the rock pools.

Miss Andrews switched on her GoPro camera, preparing to take a video of the picturesque location for the couple’s travelling blog, which is published on Facebook and YouTube.

The video she ended up with was far different.

Two minutes of footage recorded by Miss Andrews shows her slipping on moss-covered rocks, which left her uncontrollably falling towards the opening of the fall.

She slid 10m horizontally and then fell a few metres vertically — over one tier of the waterfall — plunging into waist-deep, freezing cold water in a rock pool.

Miss Andrews was close to falling from the second tier, into a much bigger and potentially deadly drop.

Waiting to be rescued: Miss Andrews took photos of where she was stuck while waiting for partner Miss Whitford to return.

“I thought she was going to tumble to the bottom of the waterfall to her death,” Miss Whitford said.

“Finally, I saw her hand and then her head, but she couldn’t get out or back up the rocks.”

The moss-covered rocks were the only way for her to climb away from the sheer edge of the second tier of the waterfall, but they were too slippery for Miss Andrews to climb up.

Soaking wet: Miss Andrews fell into waist-deep freezing cold water.

Miss Whitford sprang into action, with Storm by her side, and communicated to Miss Andrews that she was going to get help.

“I saw campers near the bottom entry as we drove in, so my plan was to get there as soon as I could,” Miss Whitford said.

After quite a trek back up the big rocks and steep hill, then to the car, Miss Whitford arrived at the campsite.

Before she knew it, she was heading back up the hill with seven strangers, ready to help rescue Miss Andrews.

“It was getting dark and I was getting worried,” Miss Whitford said.

“It was so hard to leave her there alone while I went for help.

“I was worried she might try to have another go at getting back up and when I returned with help she would be gone.

When Miss Whitford returned with help, Miss Andrews was in the same spot but now shivering and quite sore.

Stuck: Miss Andrews tried holding on to a tree to help get herself out of the water.

It took three snatch straps to get her back to safe ground and every bit of strength eight people could give.

When Uncovering Hidden Gems founders Callan Mantyvirta and Ciara Power heard Miss Andrews’ story, they were shocked.

“Hearing the news of the freak accident that occurred last week at Sandy Creek Falls truly hit home for Ciara and me,” Mr Mantyvirta said.

“We are avid adventurers and are always shaken when hearing about fellow outdoor lovers getting into challenging situations.

“We are super grateful to know that the injuries sustained are not life-threatening and that the pair involved are still keen to get out and about in the future.”

The founders have since updated the app with a warning about the risks at Sandy Creek Falls, but said the maps drew on information from online, not always from personal experience of people who had been to the sites.

“Please still do your own research before attempting to explore any particular location, because changeable weather conditions can impact the accessibility and safety of sites,” Mr Mantyvirta said.

“If you ever feel as though a track is becoming unsafe and is beyond your experience and skill set, please do not continue.”

A week after the incident, both Miss Andrews and Miss Whitford said it had not deterred them from making memories and going on new adventures, and they did not blame the map for their misfortune.

“This could honestly happen to anyone,” Miss Andrews said.

“Luckily, I am okay but if a child fell up there, it could be fatal.

“This is not a place for young kids.

“Nothing is worth risking your life for, not even the shot for Instagram.”