An Indian man who drowned at a Victorian waterfall has been described as a "beautiful soul", as donations pour in to help return his body home.

Harmanjot Singh Walia slipped and fell into the water at MacKenzie Falls near Stawell about 6pm on Wednesday, and did not re-emerge after being sucked under a rock ledge.

Friends of the 27-year-old hope his death will encourage authorities to act, after a 28-year-old man drowned in the same spot in January.

Mr Walia and his wife Kirtika Walia flew to Australia on Christmas Day from New Zealand, where they had been living on a work visa, to visit their two close friends.

Binoti Vij said her husband had known Mr Walia for many years, but had met him in person for the first time just the day before his death.

He would be remembered as a "beautiful soul" and a "charming, funny and helpful guy", she said.

"In one-and-a-half days, we created so many great memories. He was such a good person," Ms Vij  said.

Mr Walia disappeared within seconds of falling into the water at the rockpool and despite the efforts of bystanders he was unable to be saved, Ms Vij said.

"I saw he was there, he was just there, and 15 seconds later he was not," she said.

Ms Vij called for authorities to introduce better signs, barriers or an attendant to warn visitors of the risks of walking on the rocks or swimming at the waterfall.

"Nothing has been changed from January to December, nothing has been changed," she said, referring to the tragic death of a man earlier this year.

"I regret that we made them go there, that we made them look around."

Thousands of dollars have been raised on a GoFundMe page, set up to help return Mr Walia's body to India and support his wife.

The couple, who moved to New Zealand in 2015, did not have health or travel insurance.

Mr Walia, an animal-lover and keen photographer, was the main provider for his mother, who has not yet been told of his death as she is recovering from surgery in India.

He was the fifth person to die from drowning in the country in three days, with authorities urging people trying to escape the Australian heatwave to stay safe.

It is the second drowning at the site this year and ParksVic who have erected numerous signs prohibiting people entering the water have again reiterated the safety message.

“While waterfalls and other waterways are appealing, it’s important for people to remember that there can be hidden dangers in the natural environment,” Parks Victoria south west district manager Gavan Mathieson said.

“There can be unexpected currents, submerged objects and the churn surrounding the falls themselves can pull someone under very quickly.”

A witness of the drowning on Boxing Day called for better signage to declare the area should not be swum in. 

Mr Mathieson said the signage there highlights the risks associated with swimming at the falls.

“Parks Victoria has worked with emergency services to increase safety signage all around Grampians National Park, including at high risk locations such as MacKenzie Falls,” he said.

“There are a number of signs at MacKenzie Falls prohibiting swimming and warning visitors of the risk of doing so. 

“Signage in place warns of the dangers of going around barriers, of the slipperiness of the rocks around the falls, submerged objects and prohibits swimming in high risk areas.”

A 28-year-old man drowned at MacKenzie Falls in January 2018, which was inadvertently caught on camera. 

EARLIER

Victoria Police released a statement on at 5am on Thursday confirming the 27-year-old died at the popular spot at Zumsteins.

The incident occured after 5pm on Boxing Day. The man failed to surface. A police search recovered his body about 1am on Thursday.

“A witness entered the water and attempted to rescue the man however was unable to reach him,” Victoria Police Senior Constable Alistair Parsons said.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

MacKenzie Falls is a popular tourist attraction where swimming is not allowed.

Visitors to the Grampians are being urged to follow safety precautions following a drowning at MacKenzie Falls on Boxing Day.

Four people also drowned there on Christmas Day 2004 also from overseas

The reported drowning comes after a diver died in the water while looking for abalone at Cape Schanck on Christmas Day, and a father and son drowned at a beach on Phillip Island on Christmas Eve.

Parks Victoria district manager Gavan Mathieson issued a warning about inland water safety earlier this month saying it was important for people to realise the dangers of the natural environment in the national park.

“Summer is a busy time at the Grampians National Park, and we’ll have more Park Rangers out-and-about to help people enjoy their visit,” Mr Mathison said.

“While waterfalls and other waterways are appealing, it’s important for people to remember that there can be hidden dangers in the natural environment.

“...People need to consider their own safety, their own abilities, and take care out in the natural environment.”

Meanwhile, Life Saving Victoria is urging beach-goers to check ocean conditions each day before going to the beach and to be educated on rip currents. 

With AAP