Investigators are closer to uncovering the mystery of what happened to missing Belgian tourist Celine Cremer after a major discovery in the wilderness.

Five bones, teeth and a Honda car key were found by Tasmania police after a two-day search of the Arthur River area, where Cremer is believed to have disappeared.

The operation was about 2km from Philosopher Falls, near Cradle Mountain, the last location the 31-year-old visited in June 2023.

_{Sign up: AU Breaking News email}

Cremer disappeared in Tasmania’s rugged northwest two-and-a-half years ago but a breakthrough was made in late January when officers found human remains and items of clothing she was believed to have been carrying.

The Belgian was reported missing by her family on 26 June 2023, sparking a major search involving police and SES ground crews, specialist swift water rescue personnel, drones and a helicopter.

Cremer was believed to have set off on a walk and her car was found in the Philosopher Falls car park a day after the missing person’s report was filed.

The car key has been formally verified as belonging to Cremer, Commander Nathan Johnston said on Tuesday night.

“The search undertaken over the past two days was thorough and methodical, and many of these items were located beneath debris, embedded in the riverbed itself,” he said.

Severe weather conditions have consistently hindered the search, with police and paramedics being forced to camp overnight before being extracted on Monday.

Police are continuing to inform Cremer’s family about the search progress, Johnston said.

Clothing, including a polar fleece jacket, thermal top and bra, were found in January’s search after a bushwalking group discovered her phone in December.

Forensic testing of the remains continues and responsibility for the investigation into her disappearance will fall to the state coroner.