A search will resume at dawn for a hiker who plunged down a secluded waterfall on a popular walking trail.

Emergency services were called to Babinda Falls south of Cairns in far north Queensland on Sunday afternoon following reports a man fell into the water and failed to resurface.

The man, 29, was hiking with three friends at the time. 

An extensive search was launched which included swift water crews, SES volunteers  and an emergency helicopter which was later stood down due to technical issues.

‘We received reports someone had fallen from the falls but there is extensive reception issues up there, so information is limited,’ a Queensland fire department spokesman told the Cairns Post. 

The search was suspended due to failing light on Sunday night but will resume on Monday morning, police confirmed.

Located in Wooroonooran National Park 65km south of Cairns, the 7.4km trail into Babinda Falls involves several creek crossings.

The spot is just 1km from the notorious Babinda Boulders, an famous rainforest rock pool where 21 people have lost their lives, including three since 2020.

The undercurrent has been described as a ‘washing machine’ which sucks swimmers under and makes it almost impossible for them to  scramble to safety.

The region has seen heavy rain in recent days, including a 94mm downpour at nearby Mount Bartle Frere on Saturday.

The latest incident comes after a 20-year old died after jumping off the top of Crystal Cascades waterfall near Cairns earlier this year.