A large-scale search is underway in Tasmania's northwest after an elderly South Australian couple disappeared during what was meant to be a brief afternoon sightseeing drive, with deteriorating weather conditions complicating efforts to locate them.

Clementina, 81, and her husband Peter, 79, were last seen around 2:30pm on Tuesday in the small community of Milabena, west of Burnie, where they had been visiting relatives. The pair set off in their silver Honda CR-V but did not return as expected, and family members have been unable to reach them by phone.

Concerned relatives alerted police after the couple failed to come back as planned, triggering a coordinated search and rescue operation across the region.

What We Know About the Missing South Australian Couple

Clementina and Peter had travelled to Tasmania from South Australia and were staying with family in Milabena before deciding to head out for a drive. Critically, they did not tell anyone where they intended to go, leaving search teams with a wide area to cover.

Their vehicle — a silver Honda CR-V with South Australian registration S744ACB — is central to the search effort. Tasmania Police believe the couple may have planned to travel through the areas of Penguin, Gawler or Gunns Plains, though this has not been confirmed.

Clementina is described as approximately 150 centimetres tall. At the time she was last seen, she was wearing a green sherpa-lined hoodie, blue or black pants, and black lace-up shoes.

Peter stands roughly 170 centimetres tall, is of solid build, and has grey hair and glasses. He was last seen dressed in a navy hoodie, navy track pants, and New Balance sneakers.

Worsening Weather Hampering the Search

Ground-based search and rescue teams have been deployed across the region and are actively combing the area in an effort to locate the couple. However, the search has been significantly hampered by deteriorating weather conditions, which have grounded the police helicopter and prevented aerial surveillance from joining the operation.

The combination of the couple's advanced ages, the uncertainty around their intended destination, and the challenging weather has elevated concern for their welfare. The fact that they departed without informing family of their plans means emergency services must cast a broad net across a region that includes dense bushland and winding rural roads.

Tasmania's northwest is known for its rugged and sometimes remote terrain, and conditions there can change rapidly — adding urgency to the search as each hour passes.

Police Appeal to the Public for Help

Tasmania Police have issued a public appeal for anyone who may have spotted the couple or their silver Honda CR-V to come forward immediately. The vehicle's distinctive South Australian registration plate — S744ACB — may help members of the public identify it.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.

Local residents in the Penguin, Gawler, Gunns Plains and broader Burnie region are being asked to remain vigilant and report any sightings without delay. Given that the couple are both elderly, police and their family are anxious to ensure they are found safe and well as quickly as possible.

A Worrying Wait for Family

For the family who had been hosting Clementina and Peter in Milabena, Tuesday evening brought growing alarm as the hours passed without any word from the couple. The decision to raise the alarm after the pair failed to return has set in motion one of the more significant search operations seen in the region in recent times.

The couple's disappearance underscores the importance of informing others of travel plans, particularly in unfamiliar or rural terrain. Search and rescue officials routinely advise travellers — especially those exploring remote or semi-remote areas — to leave detailed itineraries with someone they trust before heading out.

As of Tuesday evening, police remained hopeful that the couple would be located safely. The search is ongoing, with teams working through difficult conditions to cover as much ground as possible before nightfall and beyond.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Clementina, Peter, or their silver Honda CR-V (registration S744ACB), please contact Tasmania Police immediately on 131 444.