A large-scale search is underway in Tasmania's northwest for an elderly South Australian couple who disappeared during an afternoon sightseeing drive on Tuesday and have not been seen or heard from since. Clementina, 81, and Peter, 79, were last spotted around 2.30pm near Milabena, west of Burnie, before setting off in their vehicle — and failing to return.
Family members, who had been hosting the married couple in the region, raised the alarm when the pair did not come back as expected and could not be reached by phone. Deteriorating weather conditions are now complicating efforts to locate them, with police unable to deploy their helicopter due to the conditions on the ground.
What we know about the missing South Australian couple
Clementina and Peter had been visiting family in the Milabena area before deciding to head out for what was expected to be a brief drive. Critically, they did not inform anyone of their intended destination before leaving.
Police believe the couple may have been heading toward the Penguin, Gawler or Gunns Plains areas, though this has not been confirmed. The pair were travelling in a silver Honda CR-V with South Australian registration S744ACB.
Clementina is described as approximately 150 centimetres tall. At the time of her disappearance she was wearing a green sherpa-lined hoodie, blue or black pants and black lace-up shoes. Peter stands around 170 centimetres tall, is of solid build, has grey hair and wears glasses. He was last seen dressed in a navy hoodie, navy tracksuit pants and New Balance sneakers.
Search and rescue teams deployed across the region
Ground-based search and rescue teams have been deployed across a wide area of Tasmania's northwest in an effort to locate the couple. However, worsening weather has grounded the police helicopter, significantly limiting aerial search capacity and slowing the overall operation.
The couple's decision not to disclose their planned route before leaving has made the search considerably more difficult, with authorities forced to cover a broad geographic area that includes multiple towns and rural roads across the region west of Burnie.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen the silver Honda CR-V or the couple themselves to come forward immediately. Members of the public with any relevant information are urged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.
Family concerns grow as hours pass
The couple, who had travelled from South Australia to visit relatives in Tasmania, were reported missing after family members became unable to reach them and they did not return at the expected time on Tuesday. The precise circumstances of their disappearance remain unknown.
Their age and the rapidly deteriorating weather in Tasmania's northwest have elevated concern for their welfare. Authorities have not disclosed how long the couple had been in Tasmania prior to Tuesday's outing, but they were clearly familiar enough with the region to venture out independently.
The search remains active, with teams continuing to work through challenging conditions in the hope of locating the pair safely.
What police are asking the public to do
Tasmania Police have released descriptions of both Clementina and Peter, along with details of their vehicle, as part of a public appeal for information. Authorities stress that even a brief sighting of the silver Honda CR-V — South Australian registration S744ACB — could prove critical to locating the couple.
- Clementina, 81: Approximately 150cm tall, wearing a green sherpa-lined hoodie, blue or black pants, black lace-up shoes.
- Peter, 79: Approximately 170cm tall, solid build, grey hair and glasses, wearing a navy hoodie, navy tracksuit pants and New Balance sneakers.
- Vehicle: Silver Honda CR-V, South Australian registration S744ACB.
Anyone who has seen the couple or their vehicle — particularly in the Penguin, Gawler, Gunns Plains or broader Milabena area — is asked to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 as soon as possible.
The search is ongoing. Updates are expected to be issued by police as the operation continues.
