Mt Waverley man Michael Bowman found in Tasmanian wilderness

Victorian man Michael Bowman has miraculously been found alive in central Tasmania after going missing three days ago while bushwalking.

Michael Bowman arrives in Hobart after being found in the wilderness. Picture: Chanel Kinniburgh

Missing Victorian hiker Michael Bowman survived 10-days in freezing conditions with only limited provisions after he lost his pack.

The 57-year-old from Mt Waverley was taken by rescue helicopter from the Lake St Clair region to the Royal Hobart Hospital for medical assessment as a precaution.

He was found this afternoon after a three-day search in Tasmania’s wilderness.

Most of Mr Bowman’s supplies, including his EPERB, were in the pack he lost while making a routine day walk, leaving him with just his sleeping bag and limited food.

Senior Constable Kristy Eyles said he set up camp at Mt Cuvier and conducted the short day walk from his tent across to Coal Hill when trouble struck.

“While he was at Coal Hill he placed his pack down and became separated from his pack when heavy fog came into the area,” she said.

“He was unable to relocate his pack and he spent a night in the cold on Coal Hill.

“The next day he was able to trace his footsteps back and he made it back to his tent where he has been for approximately the last 9 to ten days.”

She said the conditions Mr Bowman endured included chest-deep snow and rugged terrain, but police believed he hadn’t suffered any health issues.

BREAKING: An overdue bushwalker has been found alive in the Lake St Clair region. Michael Bowman, 57, of Victoria, gave media crews a thumbs up as he walked off the Westpac Rescue Helicopter into an ambulance. More ⁦@themercurycomau⁩ pic.twitter.com/OwPTd8Q0Pm

— Chanel Kinniburgh (@ChanelKinni) July 16, 2019

Michael Bowman with his rescuers. Picture: Tasmania Police

Mr Bowman gave media crews a thumbs up as he walked off the Westpac Rescue Helicopter into and into ambulance after landing in Hobart.

Three police search and rescue teams, a police marine vessel and SES volunteers have been desperately searching for Mr Bowman, who was due at a visitor centre on Saturday.

He is believed to be an ­experienced walker.

Despite snowy conditions, police had remained optimistic they would find him alive in the Lake St Clair National Park.

The search team battled against the elements. Picture: Tasmania Police

The Mt Waverley man was taken by rescue helicopter. Picture: Tasmania Police

Senior Constable Eyles said if Mr Bowman would likely have died on Mt Cuvier if he didn’t have the hiking experience he does.

“This is a great reflection of Mr Bowman’s experience and skill that he’s made it back to his tent,” she said.

“He’s done the right thing and waited there to be rescued in the most likely spot for a rescue which has allowed us to have an excellent result today.”

Due to horrendous weather conditions in the Mt Cuvier area, police were unable to use the rescue helicopter in their search for Mr Bowman until this morning.

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On their first trip to Mt Cuvier, rescuers immediately spotted Mr Bowman’s mustard coloured tent and performed the rescue.

“It’s been very hard going, the area has always been on our target list to search however due to cloud and weather conditions we’ve been unable to reach it until today,” Senior Constable Eyles said.

“The helicopter had an opportunity to search that area and as soon as they were there they saw Mr Bowman in his very visible tent.”