The 17-year-old was attempting to sneak into a bush rave party on Saturday night with a group of friends when he stumbled and fell.

Rescue crews said either the rock shelves that jut out from the cliff face or trees must have broken his fall and allowed him to survive.

He endured a 12-hour overnight rescue operation to remove and air lift him by Westpac helicopter to John Hunter Children's Hospital.

He was in a serious condition as The Star went to print.