A renewed search for a Belgian hiker who disappeared more than two years earlier has led to a major breakthrough with the discovery of her phone.
The device found on Saturday has been identified as belonging to missing woman Celine Cremer, Tasmania Police confirmed.
Ms Cremer, 31, was last seen in the Philosopher Falls area near Cradle Mountain in Tasmania's northwest on June 17, 2023.
The Belgian national was reported missing nine days later by family members.
She was believed to have set off on a walk and her car was found in the falls car park a day after the missing person's report was filed.
Police believed the vehicle had been there for at least a week.
Despite extensive searches in treacherous terrain and challenging weather conditions, there were no further signs of her until Saturday's discovery.
A renewed search led by a private party had been looking for Ms Cremer when they found the phone in the Philosopher Falls area.
Authorities were notified and are attending the scene.
The phone will be forensically examined as part of the ongoing investigation into Ms Cremer's disappearance.
A police search controller is working closely with the private search party to help with safety and manage any discoveries appropriately.
An initial search was suspended on July 10, 2023, after experts said Ms Cremer could not have survived in bad weather.
Police then deployed a cadaver dog to search an additional "area of interest" at Philosopher Falls following new information about her phone activity, but that investigation was unsuccessful.
Authorities were committed to supporting the independent search party and were in close contact with Ms Cremer’s family to assess any new information to provide them with answers and closure.
