The driver, believed to be in her 80s, reversed over the Malabar cliff on Monday morning.

Five paramedic crews, a helicopter, police and firefighters raced to the scene and freed the woman.

Sergeant Jake Lovell said officers carried the woman back up the hill to the car park where she was assessed by paramedics and reportedly met by her son.

"She was shaken but quite alert and communicating well," Sgt Lovell told AAP.

"She believes she hit reverse when she thought she was in drive."

The car smashed through a wooden barrier at the Malabar Rock Pool car park and slid about five metres down the embankment, where it landed on its wheels on an access path.

A crane was later used to lift the vehicle from where it had become lodged between the bank and a wooden railing.

"There were no problems with the crane other than getting the vehicle out of a jammed position," Sgt Lovell said.

The car was towed to an insurance company holding yard for assessment.