THE Adelaide man who fell off the cliff at Whalers Way last Tuesday is making a full recovery, and hopes to come back to Port Lincoln for the Stinky Creek festival next year.
David Lambert, 53, of Aberfoyle Park was rescued from the bottom of a cliff face at Groper Bay, after falling eight metres onto rocks below.
Mr Lambert played the fiddle at the recent Stinky Creek Festival, and set aside a few days after the festival to tour the area.
Mr Lambert speaking from Adelaide yesterday said he was on a day trip in the Lincoln National Park with his friend, when he decided to walk to what he thought was Cowrey Bay at about 2.15pm on Tuesday October 3.
"It was only intended to be a half hour trip," he said, which is why he set out with just a brochure and no water.
He clambered down the "crumbly limestone path" and had a look around the beach.
It was on the way back when things started to go wrong, when he attempted to climb back up the cliff, reaching about eight metres high.
However, he lost his footing on the cliff face, slid down six metres, bounced off a rock ledge, and landed on his back on stone at the bottom of the cliff.
Mr Lambert said after falling, he immediately knew something was wrong.
"I managed to stand up after, but was a bit shaky."
Unable to attempt the climb again, Mr Lambert said he was hoping someone would be walking at the top of the cliff so he could get their attention.
His digital mobile phone had no coverage, so all he could do was wait.
Mr Lambert said he was not sure how far the tide came onto the beach, so at about 5pm he crawled onto the most "comfortable" rock he could see and stayed there overnight.
"I could see my ankle swelling, I was short of breath and had cuts all over me."
While the night dragged on, he "desperately" wanted to get sleep, however in between the "fleeting" periods of sleep he looked at the "beautiful sky" lit with stars.
"It was quite a mild night."
When he heard helicopters about 7.30am the next morning, he dragged himself onto the beach to be seen.
"I was very relieved...I guess I had faith that somebody would be searching for me."
After failing to return to the vehicle, Mr Lambert's friend had notified police and authorities at 5pm the previous day.
Mr Lambert was transferred to the Port Lincoln hospital, before being taken to the Royal Adelaide hospital.
He came out of intensive care on Saturday, and now is receiving medical treatment for his injuries.
Mr Lambert sustained a fractured left ankle, fracture left elbow, two cracked ribs, a partially punctured lung, lacerations and abrasions.
While he does not regret going for the walk, he does regret trying to climb the cliff face. "I regret not taking the long way back around the beach and back down the road," he said.
He would also like to see more signage in the area to warn people about the dangers.
Mr Lambert wanted to thank the SES and the authorities that helped in his search and medical treatment.
"I'd love to come back to Port Lincoln an
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