The search for missing 18-year-old bushwalker Lily Hooper has entered its fifth day, with fresh search teams continuing efforts across Nattai National Park in the Southern Highlands. Emergency crews, volunteers, and specialist teams remain focused on locating the experienced hiker, who disappeared after setting out for a walk in the park.
Lily, from Oakdale, was last known to have left her home on Wednesday morning with plans to hike through the national park. When she failed to return that evening, concerns were raised, prompting a major search operation involving multiple agencies and specialist resources.
Since the search began, helicopters have been deployed alongside teams working on foot, trail bikes, and horseback to cover the challenging terrain of the park. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of Lily has been found so far, leaving family, friends, and the wider community anxiously awaiting news.
Additional crews joined the operation as authorities expanded their search efforts. Investigators and search coordinators are focusing on a walking trail located approximately 800 metres from where Lily’s vehicle was discovered. The area is being carefully examined as teams work through difficult bushland conditions in hopes of finding information that may lead them to the missing teenager.
Lily is described as an experienced bushwalker, making her disappearance particularly concerning for those involved in the search. Authorities continue to assess possible routes, terrain conditions, and any available information that could help determine where she may have gone after entering the park.
Search operations in remote bushland can be complex, requiring careful coordination between emergency services, volunteers, and specialist teams. Crews are continuing to work tirelessly despite challenging conditions, with the shared goal of bringing Lily home safely.
The ongoing search has drawn support from the local community, many of whom are hoping for a positive outcome and keeping Lily, her family, and everyone involved in the operation in their thoughts.
As the fifth day of searching continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about Lily’s movements or anything unusual they may have noticed in the area to come forward and assist investigators.