Holiday turns to heartache as US tourist’s body found in Queensland

There has been a tragic end to the search for a missing American tourist who was visiting Queensland to celebrate his birthday.

The body of Greg Osborn was found at Mount Coolum in the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.

Police believe the 66 year old slipped and fell.

Mr Osborn arrived in Australia a month ago to celebrate with his partner, Miriam Corneli.

"He was an artist and creative person and had a heart of gold… He was a good soul,” Ms Corneli said, struggling through tears as she spoke to 7 News.

Mr Osborn had left their Marcoola Motel on Thursday morning to go for a walk.

She recalled their last conversation, when she warned him not to be gone “for more than an hour, ok?”

“He said ‘ok’, I said ‘you promise?’ He said ‘I promise’.”

A walker later reported seeing him on top of Mt Coolum at 10am that day, sparking a large search that failed to find him.

While the search was scaled down, Sergeant Ben Cox wouldn't give up.

He trekked alone to the final spot on the mountain that had not been searched and made the tragic discovery.

"The position he was located in, it could have been years before anyone went through there…absolute tragedy,” Sgt. Cox said.

Mr Osborn, a landscaper, who later taught English in Nepal and Cambodia, went off the path, slipped and fell 40m.

It had been their first trip to Australia.

His partner wanted to thank all those involved in the search and all the strangers who supported her during a terrible time, so far from home.

“[I] sincerely thank all the people who have been helping out of the goodness of their hearts. The volunteers, the people, the police, going above and beyond the call of duty,” Ms Corneli said.

"Where I come from they have what they call 'sacred mountains' and I feel that Mount Coolum is that, and it will be for me now.”