Searchers have found what is believed to be a makeshift shelter used by a bushwalker who went missing more than two years ago.

Celine Cremer, a tourist from Belgium, disappeared while hiking in dense bushland at Philosopher Falls near Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, in June 2023.

Searches of the area returned nothing until her Samsung phone was discovered on Saturday, almost two-and-a-half years later.

The discovery was made by an independent search team, made up of volunteers, friends of Cremer’s from Belgium and Tasmanian explorer Rob Parsons.

A potential shelter was found by volunteers in the search for missing Belgian tourist Celine Cremer.A potential shelter was found by volunteers in the search for missing Belgian tourist Celine Cremer. Credit: Rob Parsons Celine Cremer’s phone being found by volunteers, 300m from the potential shelter.Celine Cremer’s phone being found by volunteers, 300m from the potential shelter. Credit: Facebook

Three days after the discovery of Cremer’s phone, Parsons posted photos of a “potential shelter” found during a new search of the area to Facebook.

The shelter was located only 300m from where the phone was found.

The shelter, a depression in the ground protected on one side by a natural dirt wall, contained a plastic bag with holes, believed to have potentially been used as a poncho, and a glass bottle the same brand as the one sold at a restaurant Cremer worked at.

The glass OSSA water bottle’s best-before date also read April 2024, meaning it was unlikely to have been discarded recently and lines up with when Cremer may have been in possession of it.

The glass water bottle has been confirmed as the same brand used at the restraunt Cremer worked at. The glass water bottle has been confirmed as the same brand used at the restraunt Cremer worked at. Credit: Rob Parsons A best-before date on a water bottle matched the timeline Cremer went missing.A best-before date on a water bottle matched the timeline Cremer went missing. Credit: Rob Parsons

“Shout out to Dad, who found the potential shelter Celine used,” Parsons said. “Back into it today to continue the mission. Let’s go!”

Tasmanian Police told 7NEWS.com.au they can confirm “members of the private search party located a water bottle and garbage bag near the Philosopher Falls track”.

“While these items are not confirmed as belonging to Celine Cremer, they will undergo forensic testing by police,” they said.

Police had previously praised the search team after the discovery of Cremer’s phone, which will also undergo forensic examination.

“Tasmania Police resources are now formally joining the independent search effort,” Inspector Andrew Hanson said.

“We will have trained search and rescue officers and SES volunteers on the ground when weather conditions allow the search to continue.”

Volunteer search teams continue to comb the area near where Cremer’s phone and a potential shelter where found.Volunteer search teams continue to comb the area near where Cremer’s phone and a potential shelter where found. Credit: Rob Parsons

Police believe Cremer had been walking alone at Philosopher Falls when she left the track to take “a direct route back to her car” when daylight started to fade.

Her car was located at the Philosopher Falls carpark, however she was not reported missing until nine days after she attempted the solo winter bushwalk.

Cremer’s mobile phone was found less than 100m from her last known GPS location.

“This proves the theory that Celine lost her phone shortly after recording her final location and provides clear direction on the path she was heading,” Parsons posted on Saturday.

“While there is still work to be done before we have full closure, this is a significant step forward.”