Overlapping errors, including a lack of preparation in near-freezing winter weather, contributed to the death of a Belgian tourist on a wilderness track. Celine Cremer set off on a walk at Philosopher Falls in Tasmania’s remote north-west on 17 June 2023 and was reported missing almost 10 days later. Extensive initial police efforts found no trace of the 31-year-old before private searches organised by her friends and family discovered her remains near a river in January 2026.
In findings published on Friday, the coroner, Madeleine Wilson, ruled Cremer died between 17 and 21 June, 2023 as a result of an accident. Her death followed a “confluence of errors” that began when she took a walking track towards Magnet Dam after visiting the Philosopher Falls lookout. Phone reception was intermittent and she lost her mobile, which was her only form of communication, late in the afternoon on the day she set out.
Her phone was found by a search party of volunteers in December 2025. Recovered data showed she took several photos and videos between 2.21pm and 2.42pm and used Google maps several times afterwards with the last input recorded at 4.18pm. It is likely Cremer got lost around 3.49pm and subsequently became disorientated without her phone and mistakenly changed direction, the coroner said.
It was possible Cremer slipped and fell, or tried unsuccessfully to cross the river. Cremer had travelled to Australia in 2022 on a working holiday and was planning to return to the mainland four days after the Philosopher Falls walk. Wilson praised the efforts of a private search company and volunteers which ultimately led to the first discovery of Cremer’s remains.
The police response to the missing person report was appropriate and their search efforts were guided by “accepted methodologies”. Police efforts were somewhat limited by weather, Wilson said, noting water levels in the Arthur River were significantly higher in 2023 than when her remains were found. Tasmania Police has committed to a review into the use of private search groups in missing persons investigations, including consideration of formal protocols.
Cremer failed to follow standard safety precautions, such as taking appropriate equipment and telling people where you are going, Wilson said.
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