{"id":73130,"date":"2026-08-16T12:33:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T12:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/73130\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T12:33:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T12:33:23","slug":"weather-deteriorates-as-police-narrow-in-on-key-trail-in-search-for-missing-hiker-lily-hooper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/73130\/","title":{"rendered":"Weather deteriorates as police narrow in on key trail in search for missing hiker Lily Hooper"},"content":{"rendered":"

The search for missing teenage hiker Lily Hooper<\/a> is becoming increasingly difficult as deteriorating weather moves across the rugged NSW Southern Highlands. <\/p>\n

The 18-year-old experienced bushwalker left her home on Burragorang Rd in Oakdale about 8am on Wednesday to go hiking in Nattai National Park. <\/p>\n

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Search continues for missing teen hiker Lily Hooper<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

She had been texting her family about the hike, but when she failed to return home that night, they reported her missing.<\/p>\n

Her vehicle was later found at the beginning of the Bonnum Pic walking trail along Wanganderry Rd. <\/p>\n

NSW Police confirmed the search had continued on Sunday, with police concentrating their efforts on a specific trail in Nattai National Park.<\/p>\n

The search remains complex, however, with numerous side trails branching through steep and heavily vegetated terrain as crews continue looking for any sign of the teenager.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe terrain out there is extremely rugged,\u201d Detective Inspector Benjamin Carey said in a press conference on Saturday afternoon, noting the terrain has made it \u201cvery challenging\u201d for search attempts. <\/p>\n

Further complicating matters, Carey said the weather was becoming \u201cmore and more inclement\u201d over the search area.<\/p>\n

Police are factoring the worsening conditions into the operation, with crews working urgently to find Lily before the weather deteriorates further.<\/p>\n

\"PolicePolice narrow in on key trail in search for missing hiker Lily Hooper. Credit: NSW Police<\/p>\n

The teenager\u2019s disappearance has triggered a major multi-agency operation involving police, emergency services, specialist search teams, volunteers and members of Lily\u2019s family.<\/p>\n

Among those involved are the SES, RFS, NSW Police Rescue, the Mounted Unit, and the Dog Unit, with crews continuing to comb the national park.<\/p>\n

Hooper\u2019s family and friends have remained closely involved in the search as crews continue working across the national park.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has a lot of friends and a lot of support,\u201d Carey said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re obviously very distraught and we\u2019re doing everything we can to support them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Police are also still working to establish exactly what Lily had with her when she began the hike, including what equipment or supplies she may have been carrying.<\/p>\n

The length of time Lily has now been missing, combined with the rugged landscape and worsening weather, has heightened concern for her welfare.<\/p>\n

Carey confirmed police remain \u201chopeful\u201d she will be found alive.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still hopeful that she\u2019s alive and we\u2019re going to continue with our multi-agency focus on searching the area as thoroughly as we can and delivering the outcome for this family,\u201d Carey said. <\/p>\n

Police have also renewed their appeal for information from anyone who may have seen Lily, spoken to her or been in the area around the time she disappeared.<\/p>\n

Lily is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of slim build, with long blonde hair and blue eyes. <\/p>\n

She was last seen wearing a shirt and shorts. <\/p>\n

Anyone with information about Lily\u2019s whereabouts, or who walked the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail from Wednesday onwards, is urged to contact Moss Vale Police Station or Crime Stoppers. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Key clue giving cops hope missing teen survived two nights in bush<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Desperate search for missing teen continues in national park<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

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