Police and emergency services are searching for a missing bushwalker at Cradle Mountain

A photo has been released of missing Victorian bushwalker Michael Bowman, as a search in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park continues.

A supplied image obtained on Monday, July 15, 2019, of missing Victorian man Michael Bowman, 57, an experienced bushwalker who hasn't returned from a hike in Tasmania's Cradle Mountain National Park. (AAP Image/Supplied, Tasmania Police)

UPDATE: DANGEROUS weather has hampered the search for a missing bushwalker in the Cradle Mt/Lake St Clair National Park, but police remain optimistic of finding the hiker alive and well.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was forced to turn back from its search for 57-year-old Victorian hiker Michael Bowman on Monday morning due to hazardous conditions.

Three police search and rescue teams, a police marine vessel and a team of SES volunteers, are currently searching for Mr Bowman who is believed to be an experienced walker.

Police Acting Inspector Phil Curtis said further attempts to deploy the chopper would be made when weather conditions improve.

He said the focus of the search was at the Mt Cuvier area of the Lake St Clair National Park.

“This is rugged terrain with no formal track. Land crews have been assigned from

Narcissus Hut to Cuvier area and surrounds and also from Visitors Centre to Narcissus,” he said.

“The last information that his family had is that he was at a sheltered campsite. We are concerned for his welfare, but we remain optimistic that Michael will be located alive and well.

“The search is being further hampered by the current weather event, with no mobile communications in the area.”

Mr Bowman indicated an intention to walk in the Mt Cuvier region and was due to return to the Lake St Clair visitor centre on 13 July. He is understood to be carrying an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, which has not been activated.

He is described as being approximately 180cm tall, of medium build, carrying a grey pack and wearing a red/orange jacket and dark coloured pants. He is thought to be using a yellow/mustard coloured tent.

Anyone who may have seen Mr Bowman in the Cradle Mt/Lake St Clair National Park is asked to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.

EARLIER: POLICE have begun a search for missing bushwalker believed to be hiking in the Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair National Park.

Michael Bowman, 57 of Mt Waverly in Victoria, left the Lake St Clair visitor centre to walk to the Mt Cuvier region and was expected to return by Saturday.

Tasmania Police has asked for public assistance in the search for the man, described as an experienced bushwalker.

Police said a search operation involving SES ground parties, police officers and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was underway this morning.

It’s understood conditions are extremely difficult with a command post set up at the Lake St Clair visitor centre

The Lake St Clair visitor centre. Tasmania. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Mr Bowman had intended to walk in the Mt Cuvier region, which is in central Tasmania, and was due to return to the Lake St Clair visitor centre, almost 17km away, on July 13.

Police understand Mr Bowman is carrying an EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon), which he has not activated, and also has a tent.

Inspector Andrew Keane said Mr Bowman’s return may simply be down to the adverse weather conditions in the region at the moment.

“There is a possibility of course that he has simply been delayed by the snow and the terrible weather we’ve been having up there,” he said.

“We’re certainly hoping that’s the case but we will be planning for other scenarios.”

A joint search operation between police and State Emergency Service (SES) ground parties started on Sunday.

He is described as being approximately 180cm tall, of medium build, carrying a grey pack and wearing a red/orange jacket and dark coloured pants. He is thought to be using a yellow/mustard coloured tent.

Anyone who may have seen Michael in the Cradle Mt/Lake St Clair National Park is asked to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.