Belgian traveller Celine Cremer, 31, vanished near Tasmania’s Philosopher Falls in June 2023 after setting out on a short hike in freezing, treacherous weather. Despite extensive searches, GPS analysis, and private investigations, no trace has ever been found. Two years on, her disappearance remains one of Tasmania’s most haunting mysteries — remembered each year by her family, friends, and the Waratah community.
A Free-Spirited Traveller’s Final Journey
Belgian traveller Celine Cremer, aged 31, had spent six months working and exploring Tasmania. Known for her photography and love of the outdoors, she set out on a solo road trip in early June 2023, planning to board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Victoria on 21 June.
Her final message to family came on 16 June, saying she might be out of phone range. On 17 June, she was seen in Waratah, gathering supplies before driving to Philosopher Falls — a 45-minute rainforest walk following an old 19th-century water race once built to power the Magnet mining town.
The region’s mid-winter temperatures hovered between 5–8 °C by day and 0–2 °C at night, and the area was drenched by rain and sleet.
Vanishing Without a Trace
Police later confirmed Celine Cremer’s phone last connected at 4:18 pm on 20 June, in the Philosopher Falls area. Sunset that day was 4:42 pm — meaning she was effectively in darkness beneath thick canopy. She appeared to have crossed Seven Mile Creek and climbed toward a ridge, possibly misreading her map and heading in the wrong direction.
When she failed to board the ferry the next day, her family grew concerned. After six days of silence, a concern-for-welfare report was lodged on 26 June 2023.
Search Launched After Car Found
The next afternoon, police discovered her white Honda CR-V (E40 TF) parked at the Philosopher Falls car park.
Inspector Steve Jones said:
“We believe the vehicle has been there at least a couple of days. Search and rescue members are abseiling down steep areas, with a helicopter and drones overhead.”
The track was closed to the public as more than 20 police and SES volunteers, including swift-water and abseil specialists, scoured the rainforest ravine under light snow and icy rain.
‘Conditions Not Survivable’
Inspector Anthea Maingay later confirmed:
“We have received expert medical advice that the conditions are not survivable for the length of time Celine is thought to have been exposed in the wilderness.”
Freezing nights, strong wind, and low visibility made progress slow. Drones and helicopters struggled under dense canopy, and ground crews rappelled into the waterfall gorge searching for tracks or clothing.
Celine was described as an inexperienced hiker, dressed for a short day walk, not for prolonged exposure.
Swift-Water Teams Enter the River System
By early July, rescue specialists turned their focus to the Arthur River and Seven Mile Creek. Secured by ropes and carabiners, they entered turbulent water in near-zero temperatures.
Swift-water instructor Philip Benfield explained:
“You can’t see under white-water rapids. Anything above grade three needs really good experts.”
Police believed if Celine had fallen into the current, she might have been caught by the fourth or fifth obstacle downstream. After three weeks of exhaustive effort, the official search was scaled back on 10 July, though police emphasised the case remained open.
Cadaver Dog ‘Waggs’ & Renewed Effort
In late July 2023, Waggs, a cadaver dog borrowed from NSW Police after working on another high-profile case, was deployed at Philosopher Falls for three days (28–30 July).
Commander Stuart Wilkinson said:
“While every effort was made during this latest search, sadly, Celine remains missing.”
A close friend from Belgium accompanied police during the search, walking the trail and reviewing every stage. Despite intense weather, no trace was located, and the area reopened shortly after.
Private Investigation & GPS Clues
Unsatisfied with the outcome, Celine’s family hired Ken Gamble, a cyber-crime investigator, who volunteered his services pro bono after contact from lifelong friend Justine Ropet.
Gamble retrieved 40 raw GPS points from Celine’s Google account covering 17–20 June, showing her crossing Seven Mile Creek, then ascending a ridge west of the track before turning south toward the car park at 4:19 pm — her final data point.
Working with drone specialist Daniel Wood, Gamble used LiDAR scanning to detect ground irregularities. Police inspected one orange-tinted anomaly but found nothing.
The data also revealed two-tower triangulation limits, causing false “hill pings” north of Magnet Dam until 20 June — later confirmed as signal anomalies, not movement.
Independent Searcher Ted Mead’s Findings
Wilderness guide Ted Mead began private searches from July 2023 to May 2024, examining unsearched ground north of Seven Mile Creek and the Magnet Dam area. He located two shallow shoe imprints and a deeper mark heading downhill toward the creek but no confirmed tracks.
“Given the mild first night, she could have survived until the rain hit next day — that’s likely when she perished,” Mead said.
He criticised the fragmented coordination between agencies:
“Many went over the same ground because information wasn’t shared. The result speaks for itself.”
Mead described the rainforest’s ‘horizontal forest’ — a tangled maze of branches that even seasoned hikers cannot penetrate.
First Anniversary – June 2024
One year after her disappearance, Commander Wilkinson reiterated:
“When a person remains missing, the case is never closed.”
He warned that false online theories had offered “cruel and inaccurate hope.” Police continued to liaise with Celine’s mother Ariane Cremer, who said from Belgium:
“I’m very confident in Tasmania Police and thankful for the support we receive from Tasmanians.”
Grief, Hope & ‘Ambiguous Loss’
Justine Ropet, Celine’s childhood friend since kindergarten, spoke about her desperate search for answers. Early in the investigation, she consulted a psychic who claimed Celine was in Melbourne.
“I knew it was a tiny possibility, but I needed to check because it was driving me crazy,” she said.
She later travelled to Tasmania, admitting:
“In winter that track becomes a river. Being there showed me how easily things can go wrong.”
Lili Greer from the Missed Foundation explained the trauma families endure:
“When someone’s missing, there’s no end in sight — it’s called ambiguous loss, and it becomes more traumatic as the years go by.”
Greer condemned “predatory psychics” who exploit grief and called for improved counselling and financial support for families of long-term missing persons.
Two Years Later-Ongoing Search & Legacy
By June 2025, Inspector Andrew Hanson confirmed:
“We never close missing-person cases. We remain committed to helping Ariane find her daughter.”
Celine was among seven profiles highlighted by Tasmania Police during National Missing Persons Week 2025, themed Forever Loved. Tasmania currently lists 181 long-term missing people dating back to the 1950s.
Crime Stoppers Tasmania general manager Aldo Antolli appealed:
“For nearly every missing person, someone knows something. You can stay anonymous.”
YouTuber Rob Parsons retraced Celine’s GPS trail in a video that mirrored a lost-walker pattern, dispelling foul-play rumours.
Justine Ropet has since organised a December 2025 volunteer search with help from Waratah locals providing food, logistics and camp space.
Celine’s mother Ariane added:
“I just want to bring my daughter home.”
Every June, Waratah residents now hold a candlelight vigil and walk at Philosopher Falls to honour her memory.
Status – Unresolved
The case of Celine Cremer remains open under Tasmania Police’s Missing Persons Unit in Hobart and is listed on missingpersons.gov.au. It is reviewed annually for any new information.
Her disappearance continues to symbolise both the danger and the majesty of Tasmania’s wilderness — a reminder of a traveller lost, but never forgotten.
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