Samuel (Sam) Robert WHITSED
Samuel (Sam) Robert WHITSED
On 14 February 2026, Samuel Robert Whitsed (Sam) travelled from Victoria to Perth, Western Australia. He was last seen on 18 February 2026, when he was observed walking towards the Bibbulmun Track on Brookton Highway, near the Jarrahdale State Forest WA.
Samuel was carrying camping equipment and is believed to have intended to stay along the Bibbulmun Track. At the time, he was wearing a red T-shirt and black trousers.
Several weeks later, camping equipment believed to belong to Samuel was located at the Canning Hut on the Bibbulmun Track.
Despite an extensive search of the area, and continued inquiries from that time, there has been no sign of Samuel since.
Samuel is known to have previously travelled throughout various states and territories within Australia.
Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Samuel are urged to anonymously contact Crime Stoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.
29 April 2026
WA Police hold serious concerns for a missing traveller last seen near the Bibbulmun track in the state's south-west.
Samuel Robert Whitsed, 27, travelled to WA from Victoria and was last seen on February 18 in Armadale, in Perth's south-eastern fringe.
It is believed he was walking on Brookton Highway towards the Bibbulmun Track, a popular hike from Perth to Albany stretching 1,000 kilometres.
Senior Sergeant Rob Lewis said Mr Whitsed was dropped off in the area after getting a lift from a man.
Mr Whitsed was known to bushwalk and "live off the land", but this was the longest time he had been out of contact with family, according to police.
"Nothing suspicious, at this point in time it's a welfare concern," Senior Sergeant Lewis said.
"If he is out there and he does happen to hear this, we'd ask that he reach out to police and just to let us know that he's safe and well."
Mr Whitsed's family told police he had previously taken shelter in sheds on rural properties during bushwalking trips in Victoria, and they were "very concerned for his welfare".
"We'd also ask that anyone that's got property along the track or along that space to check their outbuildings, check sheds just in case he has set up camp or taking shelter in one of their sheds," Senior Sergeant Lewis said.
"Any piece of information that the community can provide us, however little, can be vital in us locating him, and that's the family's wishes that we just locate Sam."
After his family raised the alarm with Victorian police, the investigation was handed over to WA police, who started conducting searches along the Bibbulmun track on April 23.
A campsite linked to Mr Whitsed was found near the track, and police have searched the surrounding area, but there have been no further sightings.
"We believe there's connections to him, we've recovered some of the camping equipment that he'd purchased, but not all of it," Senior Sergeant Lewis said.
Mr Whitsed is described as between 170 and 180 centimetres tall, of a slim-medium build, with short brown hair and a beard and moustache.
He was last seen wearing black trousers, a light-coloured T-shirt or jumper, and sandals.
Anyone who may have seen Mr Whitsed is urged to contact the police.
The experienced hiker is believed to have travelled from Victoria to Western Australia and began a walk through a popular trail when he vanished.
A desperate search has been renewed in Western Australia after a 27-year-old man vanished during a hike four months ago
Samuel Robert Whitsed, 27, travelled from Victoria to Western Australia and was reported missing on February 14, 2026.
Four days after the missing report, Mr Whitsed was seen walking towards the Bibbulmun Track on Brookton Highway in Armadale, in Perth’s east.
Police believe Mr Whitsed was carrying camping equipment, including a green tent, when he vanished along the walking trail.
Mr Whitsed is a skilled bushwalker who “lived off the land”, WA Police Senior Sergeant Rob Lewis said in April.
Locals walking the trail found abandoned hiking gear and a green tent at the Canning Hut, about 12km from the Brookton camping ground, which police believe is linked to the missing bushwalker.
Drone footage released by police revealed the mammoth search for the missing bushwalker.
In February, Victoria Police said Mr Whitsed’s family were “concerned for his wellbeing due to a medical condition”.
Four months after his disappearance, WA Police said they were continuing the search for the missing 27-year-old.
“Armadale police continue to make inquiries in relation to Mr Whitsed’s whereabouts,” a police spokesperson told NewsWire.
“Unfortunately, he remains unaccounted for.
“His last known location is still in the vicinity of the Bibbulmun Track.”
Mr Whitsed is described as being between 170-180cm tall, with a slim-medium build, short brown hair, a moustache and beard.
He also has tattoos on his neck and left arm.
He was last seen wearing a pair of black trousers, a red T-shirt or light-coloured jumper and slides.
Police are urging anyone with information about the missing bushwalker to come forward.
“If he is out there and he does happen to hear this, we’d ask that he reach out to police and just to let us know that he’s safe and well,” Sergeant Lewis told reporters.
“Any piece of information that the community can provide us, however little, can be vital in us locating him, and that’s the family’s wishes that we just locate Sam.”