Esther Wallace search continues near Orange NSW after mum went missing on bushwalk

The mystery of a missing bushwalker who vanished without a trace a week ago has deepened with a startling admission from her frantic son who fears the worst.

Esther Wallace, 47, became separated from her partner during a early morning bushwalk to watch the sunrise at Federal Falls in Mount Canobolas State Recreation Area near Orange in NSW central-west on November 30 and hasn’t been seen or heard from since. 

A large-scale land and air search involving NSW Police, PolAir, the SES, Rural Fire Service, and NSW Parks and Wildlife Service will enter its eighth day on Wednesday.

Ms Wallace was wearing an orange jacket, black pants and sandals at the time of her disappearance.

According to her son Tyrone Stewart, Ms Wallace had been staying with his grandmother in Tottenham 240km north-west of Orange after a recent move from flood-ravaged Canowindra.

He doesn’t believe his beloved mum is at Mount Canobolas and insists she’s not the bushwalking type.

Esther Wallace vanished without a trace during an early morning bushwalk on November 30

‘When I saw the report that they went to see the sunrise … my mum doesn’t go to watch the sunrise, she doesn’t go bushwalking, especially in sandals,’ he told the Central Western Daily.

‘Usually by now, she would contact.’

‘She’ll go camping and fishing, but she ain’t out there bushwalking watching the sunrise, that’s not my mum.’

Mr Stewart is fearing the worst. 

‘If she was alive, her mates would be showing her these articles. It’s all over Facebook, it was on the news and she would contact to say she was safe,’ he said.

Concerned friends have set up a Where’s Esther Wallace Facebook page amid growing concerns for her welfare.

‘A hot shower, warm clothes, a delicious dinner and an ice cold drink with loads of love surrounding you. It’s all here waiting for you Esther,’ one friend posted.

Another friend describes Ms Wallace as the strongest, most loving and caring woman she’d ever met.

Tyrone Stewart (left) insists his mum Esther Wallace (right) isn't the bushwalking type

Tyrone Stewart (left) insists his mum Esther Wallace (right) isn’t the bushwalking type

Esther and her partner had travelled to the Mount Canobolas State Recreation Area to watch the sunrise when they became separated. She hasn't been seen or heard from since

Esther and her partner had travelled to the Mount Canobolas State Recreation Area to watch the sunrise when they became separated. She hasn’t been seen or heard from since

Authorities have admitted time is running out but haven’t ruled the theory Ms Wallace left the area and made her way into Orange 20km away.

‘As you can appreciate, the longer she’s missing the less chance of finding her well,’ Acting Superintendent Gerard Lawson said.

‘There’s always that possibility she’s been able to find her way off the mountain and she’s elsewhere.’ 

Several items have been located during the search.

‘We have been able to find a piece of clothing, of interest, but we can’t confirm at this stage whether it is her clothing,’ Acting Superintendent Lawson added.

‘Some of those items have probably been there for several days or weeks and may not be connected to our search.’ 

The desperate search for Esther Wallace (pictured) will enter its eighth day on Wednesday

The desperate search for Esther Wallace (pictured) will enter its eighth day on Wednesday

Esther was last seen on the Federal Falls track in Mount Canobolas State Recreation Area near Orange in NSW central-west

Esther was last seen on the Federal Falls track in Mount Canobolas State Recreation Area near Orange in NSW central-west

The male companion who last saw Ms Wallace has been co-operative and helpful with police inquiries

Police denied telling members of Wallace’s family not to talk to the media.

‘That’s not something we can do. People have the right to speak to the media if they want to,’ a spokeswoman said.

Police are still deciding whether to to extend the search to a ninth day.

‘At the moment they’re not ruling anything out because they genuinely don’t know,’ the spokeswoman said.

‘It could be misadventure, it could be suspicious, we don’t know.’

Authorities haven't ruled out the possibility Esther left the Mount Canobolas State Recreation Area and make the 20km trek to Orange

Authorities haven’t ruled out the possibility Esther left the Mount Canobolas State Recreation Area and make the 20km trek to Orange