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Sydney beachgoers dice with death to snap 'perfect' nature selfie

Social media fans have been warned not to risk their lives by posing for the 'perfect' selfie at Sydney's Figure 8 Pools.

The naturally formed phenomenon, tucked between coastal headlands in Sydney’s Royal National Park, has become a popular attraction thanks to adventure seekers photos shared online.

According to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) the walk to Figure Eight Pools is very challenging and they urge climbers to never turn your back to the ocean.

Instagram/elljaybee
Instagram/elljaybee

On Saturday afternoon more than 100 visitors were left with head injuries, cuts, grazes and bruises after a powerful wave knocked swimmers off their feet, a scene local residents predicted.

Distressing footage reveals the rogue wave that catapulted painful screams from beachgoers across the rock pools.

"Oh F**K brace yourselves!" Yelled one man who was stationed higher up on the foreshore.

Rescue helicopters were deployed at the scene, airlifting three women to St George Hospital.

Two women suffered severe head injuries and a 53-year-old woman broke her ankle, all three have since been discharged.

The rogue wave that injured tourists. Instagram/jeanayyy
The rogue wave that injured tourists. Instagram/jeanayyy
Camo_Wilson Instagram
Camo_Wilson Instagram

Surf Lifesavers had to access the area with inflatable boats to treat injured swimmers.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service statistics reveal that over 9000 people made their way up the steep, rocky and slippery rock pools in the past month.

The Figure 8 Pools are on a rock ledge south of Burning Palms Beach and are accessed via a steep 3.5km walking track, covered in slippery lichens and seaweed.

The slippery terrain is incredibly dangerous for thrill seekers and is covered in seaweed and lichens. Photo: Instagram/bayliss
The slippery terrain is incredibly dangerous for thrill seekers and is covered in seaweed and lichens. Photo: Instagram/bayliss

Coastal Cabins Protection League and resident Helen Voysey said tourists are arriving at the rock shelf with no knowledge or awareness of conditions or when it's safe at low tide.

'It [Royal National Park] was dedicated for a small population of Sydney as a small recreational area, but we now have 2.5 million people coming to the park [each year],' she told ‘’ABC’’.

Just a quick search on Instagram and Facebook reveal thrill seekers sightseers are regularly posting their moment with the Figure 8 pools.

NPWS urged sight seekers to check wave size before making the difficult three-hour return hike.

Instagram/Noni_What
Instagram/Noni_What
Instagram/nuriazamora
Instagram/nuriazamora

Saturday's incident has prompted calls for a lifeguard service to be stationed at Figure 8 Pools, according to reports.

Kane Weeks, from the NPWS, said social media had had a significant influence on how the organisation managed the site, he told the publication.

He claimed parking had to be upgraded and promotions will cease until the park can get the infrastructure up to deal with the increasing tourism.