Officials are warning that scenic Wedding Cake Rock — located along Australia's Royal National Park Coast Walk may — may "collapse without warning."
According to the country's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), standing on the popular tourist destination for creative photos "risks a truly tragic outcome," NPWS regional manager Gary Dunnett details in a press release.
Nicknamed for its milky white sandstone and squared layers, the press release explains that the color is actually due to iron being leached out over time, signifying a weakening of the rock formation. "The vertical fractures that make the rock look like a slice of wedding cake clearly mark where it will eventually give way and tumble to the sea fifty metres below," the press release further explains.
According to Dunnett, “All cliff edges are dangerous, but in this instance we were particularly concerned with the number of people standing on the rock shelf and close to the edge at any one time and what would happen if the platform gave way,” the press release details.
Dunnett claims that an increase in social media photos featuring the landmark have attracted more tourists to the area. See photos in the media player above.
”This is not about closing the site, it is about making it a safe place to visit and enjoy the view," Dunnett explains in the press release.
Temporary fencing and signs have been installed until NPWS decides on a "new viewing platform further back from the edge."
Last year, a 23-year-old college student fell to his death from Wedding Cake Rock.
