Father Pushes ‘Lily’s Law’ After Teen Hiker Dies in NSW Bushland

Lily Hooper, 18, was found dead on Thursday, August 20, after disappearing for eight days during a bushwalk in Nattai National Park in NSW’s Southern Highlands. Her body was discovered in dense bushland far from her vehicle at the Bonnum Pic trailhead. Her father, Jim Hooper, is now calling for new legislation, dubbed ‘Lily’s Law’, to mandate that bushwalkers carry GPS beacons and tracking devices. NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the government will work with the family to honour her memory and explore the safety proposal.

How the search unfolded

Lily left her home in Oakdale, southwest of Sydney, on August 12 for a day-long hike. She did not return that evening and could not be contacted on her mobile phone. Her car was found at the trailhead the same night, triggering a wide-scale search. An SES volunteer found her body about 11.30am on August 20, eight days later, in dense bushland a long way from her vehicle.

Father’s push for mandatory safety devices

Jim Hooper told Seven on Sunday that he wants his daughter’s death to create a lasting legacy. ‘It’d be good if there was a legacy that was left like a Skye’s Law, Jack’s Law … Lily’s Law,’ he said. He called for awareness about carrying radio beacons, tracker devices, Garmin, Navman type devices. ‘The bush can swallow you up,’ Hooper said, highlighting how easily hikers can become lost in remote terrain.

Government response and community mourning

NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed he was in contact with the family and the state was planning to honour the teenager. ‘I want to talk with them and work on it together, but we’ll do something special for Lily,’ he said. Minns noted that Lily was doing everything right, getting out into public, getting out into the wilderness, seeing nature, living her best life. Hundreds of people gathered at Willis Park in Oakdale on Friday for a vigil, filling the memorial with candles, flowers, purple balloons and fairy lights. The Rotary Club of Wollondilly North fundraiser has raised almost AUD 30,000 for the Hooper family.

What ‘Lily’s Law’ could mean

The proposed legislation would encourage or require bushwalkers to carry personal locator beacons (PLBs) and GPS tracking devices before entering wilderness areas. Similar laws have been named after other Australians who died in tragic circumstances. The push reflects growing concern that standard mobile phones are unreliable in remote bushland, leaving hikers vulnerable if they become injured or lost.

Final Thoughts

Lily Hooper’s death has sparked a national conversation about bush safety in Australia. Her father’s call for mandatory tracking devices could reshape how Australians prepare for wilderness activities, potentially saving lives in future emergencies.

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