More than two and a half years after Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer vanished without a trace in the dense, unforgiving rainforest of northwest Tasmania, a renewed private search effort has uncovered significant clues—only to be paused in heartbreaking circumstances. The 31-year-old's mobile phone, a water bottle, and what appears to be a makeshift poncho fashioned from a garbage bag were discovered in recent days, reigniting hope among her family and friends. However, the search has now been suspended while Tasmania Police conduct crucial forensic examinations on these items, leaving searchers and loved ones in agonising limbo just days before Christmas.
Celine Cremer, a vibrant and adventurous traveller from Belgium, disappeared on June 17, 2023, during what was intended to be a short solo bushwalk to Philosopher Falls, a picturesque but remote waterfall track near the small town of Waratah, about an hour south of Burnie. She had been solo travelling around Tasmania for several months, immersing herself in the island's stunning wilderness after arriving in Australia. Friends last heard from her indirectly through social media activity, but when she failed to board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry back to the mainland on June 21 as planned, alarm bells rang. She was officially reported missing on June 26, and police located her white Honda CRV parked at the Philosopher Falls trailhead the following day.
An intensive initial search involving ground crews, helicopters, drones, swiftwater rescue specialists, and even a cadaver dog borrowed from New South Wales Police was launched immediately. Despite scouring treacherous terrain amid harsh winter weather—freezing temperatures, heavy rain, and dense undergrowth—no trace of Cremer was found. On July 10, 2023, Tasmania Police formally suspended the operation, citing expert medical advice that survival in those conditions for the length of time she had been missing was impossible. Commander Stuart Wilkinson expressed deep sympathy for her family at the time, emphasising that while the active search ended, the missing person investigation remained open.
For over two years, Cremer's disappearance remained a haunting mystery, with her family in Belgium and friends worldwide clinging to hope amid profound grief. Theories ranged from accidental disorientation in the thick Tarkine rainforest—one of Australia's most impenetrable wilderness areas—to more sinister possibilities, though police have consistently leaned toward misadventure. The area around Philosopher Falls is notorious for its challenging navigation; the track is short but surrounded by horizontal scrub, myrtle forests, and steep gullies that can quickly disorient even experienced hikers, especially as daylight fades in winter.
That hope flickered back to life in December 2025 when Cremer's closest friends flew from Belgium to Tasmania to join a privately organised search, coordinated by high-profile private investigator Ken Gamble and supported by local volunteers, including Tasmanian filmmaker and historian Rob Parsons. The five-day effort began on December 13, with participants methodically grid-searching areas previously covered but focusing on new data insights.
On the very first day, a breakthrough: Volunteer Tony Hage, a seasoned SES search and rescue member, located Cremer's Samsung mobile phone in dense bushland approximately 300 metres off the official track—remarkably, in an area that had been extensively searched in 2023. The discovery prompted Tasmania Police to formally rejoin the effort, deploying trained officers and SES volunteers. Inspector Andrew Hanson stated that the phone's location and recovered data supported the theory that Cremer may have used a mapping app to attempt a shortcut back to her car as evening approached, only to become lost after possibly dropping the device.
Emotions soared as the search continued. Days later, more items emerged: a water bottle and a black garbage bag with a large hole cut in it, suggesting it had been improvised as a rain poncho—a sign that Cremer may have tried to shelter from Tasmania's notoriously unpredictable weather. Searchers also reported finding what could be a makeshift shelter in the thick undergrowth, described by some as a potential “game changer.” Private investigator Ken Gamble expressed cautious optimism, noting that Cremer was environmentally conscious and unlikely to litter, increasing the likelihood these items were hers.
Access to Cremer's cloud-based phone data, shared with permission from her family, provided vital GPS coordinates from her final afternoon. Analysis by Rob Parsons, shared publicly, traced her movements: She left the car park around 2:18 pm, followed the track toward the falls, but her last known pings indicated deviation into off-track terrain. This data pinpointed a radius of about 1 km where Gamble and others believe she remains.
Yet, just as momentum built, the search hit a devastating pause. By December 18, the renewed effort was suspended pending forensic testing on the phone, bottle, and bag. Tasmania Police confirmed the items would undergo DNA analysis and digital forensics to extract any further clues—such as photos, app usage, or messages—that could reveal Cremer's final hours. Search leader Ken Gamble told media the group would “take a breath” while awaiting results, acknowledging the emotional toll.
The timing adds an extra layer of heartbreak. With Christmas approaching, Cremer's friends—who travelled thousands of kilometres for closure—face returning to Belgium empty-handed for now. One friend, Gabriel Remy, speaking through a translator, said it would be “awful” to leave without answers: “I think it's the worst thing that can happen, to go back to Belgium without anything.” The suspension also comes amid reports of deteriorating weather in the region, though the primary reason cited is the need for forensic processing to preserve evidence integrity.
Community support in tiny Waratah has been overwhelming. Locals provided meals and lodging for the search team, with resident Judi Hunter organising comfort food to sustain the volunteers through exhausting days in the bush. The discoveries have vindicated those who never gave up, including filmmaker Rob Parsons, whose YouTube documentation drew international helpers, like one volunteer flying in from Indonesia.
Police emphasise the case remains active, with Inspector Hanson reiterating close contact with Cremer's mother in Belgium. They suspect disorientation in the dense terrain after losing her phone, rather than foul play. Yet questions linger: How did the phone go undetected in previous searches? What do the new items reveal about her survival attempts? And will forensic results finally bring the closure her loved ones desperately seek?
As the Tasmanian wilderness holds its secrets once more, the mystery of Celine Cremer endures—a poignant reminder of nature's beauty and peril. Her family and friends, though devastated by the pause, vow to return if needed. In the words echoed across reports from those closest to the search: “We're so sorry…”—a phrase capturing the collective sorrow as hope and heartache intertwine yet again.
For now, the rainforest waits silently, and the world watches for the next chapter in this enduring saga.