Missing hiker Lily Hooper found in NSW Southern Highlands after eight-day search
Lily Hooper, 18, went missing while hiking in Nattai National Park. (Supplied: NSW Police)
Missing bushwalker Lily Hooper has been found after an eight-day search in the NSW Southern Highlands.
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the news in parliament and thanked search teams for their hard work.
The 18-year-old left her home south-west of Sydney on the morning of Wednesday, August 12, to go hiking in the Nattai National Park.
Her car was later found near the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail.
NSW Police have used a thermal-imaging helicopter and examined telecommunications data in an effort to trace Ms Hooper's last movements.
The premier was addressing a budget estimates hearing when a staffer passed him a note.
After reading it, he turned to the staff member for confirmation.
"Is this accurate?" he asked.
The premier was handed a note advising him Lily Hooper had been found. (ABC News)
After being told the information was correct, he told the hearing he had some "fantastic news".
"Lily Hooper has been found alive," he said.
"[She was] found in the bush with half a bottle of water with her.
"I just want to thank the New South Wales Police, the SES, the Australian Defence Force, and literally the hundreds of volunteers who got in there and helped.
"I can imagine her family are just over the moon and everybody in New South Wales is rooting for her."
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