The wilderness of northwest Tasmania is a place of remarkable resilience. Moss blankets ancient trees, waterfalls carve deep gullies, and the air carries a timeless stillness. It was this raw, untamed landscape that drew 31-year-old Belgian traveler Céline Cremer, a passionate photographer and avid explorer who had already journeyed across much of Europe.

Céline had been traveling in Tasmania for six months, planning to board the ferry to Melbourne on June 21, 2023. Just four days before this, she set out for what should have been a one-hour walk along the Philosopher’s Falls track near Warar. However, she never returned. When Céline failed to board the ferry and missed contact with her family, concern quickly escalated. Her family reported her missing on June 26, and her car was soon found at the trailhead.

The Initial Search Efforts

Tasmanian authorities launched a large-scale search, deploying ground crews, helicopters, drones, swiftwater teams, and detection dogs. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of Céline was found, and the search was eventually called off due to the challenging terrain. By mid-July 2023, the official search had been suspended, though the investigation remained open.

In 2024, private investigator Ken Gamble retrieved detailed phone data that offered new insight into Céline’s last movements. The GPS and cell phone data revealed that Céline had ventured far beyond the Philosopher’s Falls area, following the abandoned water race and climbing to a ridge where her final GPS points were recorded. According to Gamble, “I’ve been to a lot of very rough areas, and I’ve spent three years in the Army Reserve, and I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Tracking Céline’s Steps Through GPS

Analysis of Céline’s phone data indicates highly accurate GPS pings, especially from Google Maps. This data allowed investigators to trace her movements from the East Coast of Tasmania to Warar on June 17, 2023. Céline visited local landmarks like Warar Falls and a service station before heading southwest along the Karina Warar Highway toward Philosopher’s Falls.

At 1:59 PM, she arrived at the car park, parked her car, and prepared for her walk. Her last GPS point on the Philosopher’s Falls track was recorded at 2:19 PM. An hour and ten minutes later, a new GPS point appeared about a mile from the falls on the opposite side of a hill. During this time, Céline had put away her phone and walked along the trail and water race, likely thinking she was following the correct path.

By 3:32 PM, Céline began using her phone again. She retraced her steps along the water race, heading south into dense vegetation before turning sharply east and ascending the hill, reaching the top around 4:14 PM. Here, her phone emitted only cell tower pings, suggesting limited GPS coverage. Her last GPS point was recorded at 4:18 PM, after which only intermittent cell tower signals were detected.

Challenges of the Terrain

The northwest Tasmanian wilderness is notoriously difficult to navigate. Thick vegetation, rocks, and old mining-era tracks complicate movement, especially in low light. Céline’s path suggests she followed the “path of least resistance,” consulting her phone periodically for direction. She may have lost her phone or entered a GPS-dead zone, forcing her to continue navigating the challenging terrain without technological guidance.

Private searches have retraced Céline’s steps, tested GPS reception, and scanned the hill using LiDAR technology. While these efforts have not yet located her, they have confirmed the accuracy of her GPS data and offered insight into the probable routes she may have taken.

Continuing the Search

Céline’s friends and family have organized additional multi-day search efforts, fundraising to cover more ground in December 2025. They are hopeful that continued exploration of the northwest Tasmanian wilderness might finally provide answers and closure.

The mystery of Céline Cremer’s disappearance highlights both the beauty and the danger of Tasmania’s wild landscapes. While technology provides valuable clues, the rugged terrain reminds us how quickly even the most experienced travelers can be lost in nature.

Sources

YouTube: “The Search for Céline Cremer: What Her GPS Reveals”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIRrBtt4-UE

Private investigator Ken Gamble, as cited in YouTube video.

Tasmanian Police Reports, June–July 2023 (Official search operations and suspension of search).

Google Maps GPS data retrieved and analyzed in 2024 for tracking Céline Cremer’s movements.