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Melbourne hiker lost in Canada 'may never be found'

The family of a Melbourne woman who has been lost in the Canadian wilderness for more than two weeks say they accept she may never be found.

The family of Sophie Dowsley told Fairfax Canadian police have called off the search after bringing in sniffer dogs and rescue teams to scour the remote and difficult terrain some three hour's east of Vancouver.

Grave fears are held for the 34-year-old from Melbourne after divers found Ms Dowsley's Canadian boyfriend Greg Tiffin's body in Statlu Lake on Tuesday.

Sophie Dowsley shared this picture from a 'fun but hard' trek to Mt Seymour, North Vancouver, in February. Source: Instagram

Gregory Tiffin was found dead in Statlu Lake last week while it's now thought Ms Dowsley might never be found. Source: Facebook

Some of her belongings were found near the lake's waterfall, James Dowsley, the brother of the missing Australian told Fairfax.

He said after visiting the terrain the family appreciated there was nowhere else left to search and that Sophie "may never be found".

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In a statement the family has thanked the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, saying "every day you put your lives at risk to find Sophie... but we understand she may never be found".

Mr Dowsley also thanked the search and rescue team as well as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Federal MP Dan Tehan who helped bring about an extended search for his sister.

Rescue crews have since found the couple's SUV and personal belongings at the top of a waterfall and in the water. Picture: Instagram

Mr Tiffin, a 44-year-old Canadian, and Ms Dowsley set out for their day hike to Statlu Lake on July 8 and concerns were raised for their safety four days later.

The couple's SUV and personal belongings, including Ms Dowsey's sunglasses, were found earlier, at the top of a waterfall and in the water.

Tributes for Mr Tiffin have appeared on social media, describing him as 'a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend.' Source: Facebook

The hike near Harrison Hot Springs can be treacherous and has a history of fatalities.

A search and rescue was launched after police were notified when the pair didn't turn up to work the following Monday.

Ms Dowsley shared this picture to Instagram of Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, the day after she was last seen. Source: Instagram

Rescue crews found the couple's SUV and personal belongings at the top of a waterfall and in the water. Source: Instagram

The wide-scale police and rescue operation included the police dog service, emergency response teams, and aircraft.

“All search resources remain engaged as we continue to look for the missing woman,” Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment spokesperson Corporal Mike Rail said in an earlier statement.

The trek at Statlu Lake, near Harrison Hot Springs, is known to be a difficult one and has a history of fatalities. Source: Benjamin Cases/Instagram

“[Royal Canadian Mounted Police] remain in close contact with the victim’s and missing woman’s families."

Ms Dowsley's family flew from Sydney to Canada to help with the search for the Melbourne woman's body.

"It's the worst possible nightmare that you could imagine. I couldn't dream of anything worse," Ms Dowsley's father Peter told CTV News.

"They've gone to a very dangerous place and they haven't come out. The terrain is just absolutely stunningly beautiful and rugged and unforgiving," he said.

- With AAP