Family of missing hikers cling to hope after couple spend fourth night in 'rugged' bush

The search continues for the Melbourne hikers missing in the Victorian Alps after their son and a sister said they are praying for their safe return.

Ex-pilot Trevor Salvado, 60, and his partner Jacinda Bohan, 58, were last seen at a caravan park on Cherry Lane in Bright, about three-and-a-half hours north-east of Melbourne, on Friday morning.

But hopes are still high with the favourable conditions over the past few days.

Their empty car was found near Reservoir Track, with the pair reported missing on Saturday.

Today police will start up their intensive search effort again, assisted by members from the SES and volunteers.

About 120 people are assisting in the operation, which concluded at 10pm last night.

The terrain in which the couple are missing is “very tricky and rugged”, Inspector Joy Arbuthnot said yesterday.

Insp Arbuthnot said the search is still being treated as a missing persons case.

“Conditions have been very favourable and we’re hopeful for a good outcome,” she said.

“There’s a number of large gullies, crevasses and boulders, which does make it really hard-going for searchers here,” she said.

However, a cold front is approaching which will drop temperatures in the Alps down to the single-digits overnight.

Insp Arbuthnot said Mr Salvado and Ms Bohan were keen bushwalkers, and had been coming to the Mount Buffalo area for around nine years.

Peter Campbell from Bush Search and Rescue added, “We’re here to find them, and we keep looking as long as the search is running”.

One of the couple’s three children, Nathan, said he had “a lot going” on in his mind with his mum and dad currently missing.

“I just want them to be warm and safe,” he said.

“They’re just such nice people.”

He said his parents were responsible walkers and always came prepared.

Ms Bohan’s sister said she is praying for the safe return of the couple.

“There’s been some good old fashion prayers. I feel we’ve got a big team behind us, and we can’t speak higher of the police,” she said.

“We’re trying to be really strong, and we’re all together.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000