The woman, from Bolwarra Heights, was swimming at the Ladies Well, pictured, in the Chichester State Forest, Upper Allyn, when she slipped on rocks and fell about three metres.

The woman was at the picturesque swimming hole for a picnic with family, and waded into the water at about 12.30pm.

Police said it was then, standing in shallow water, that she lost her footing on slippery rocks and fell about three metres over an adjacent waterfall.

She was spotted in the water by family members who attempted to revive her, but she never regained consciousness and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

Two hours north of Newcastle, the Ladies Well is a popular swimming spot known for its numerous cascades, deep pools and high jumping rocks.