Seven tourists, including three children, were stranded on a cliff along Australia’s east coast after rising tides and large waves cut off their path.

They climbed to a ledge and called for help as conditions worsened.

A helicopter rescue was ruled out due to dangerous downdraft risks.

Rescuers instead used ropes and an “Arizona vortex” system to safely reach them, CBS News has reported.

All were rescued after a three-hour operation carried out by volunteer emergency workers.