By Ashley Nickel,Editor

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Fears grow for boy who disappeared without a trace in the Australian outback – as search enters day three

August was last seen on Saturday

He’s gone missing on an outback property

READ MORE: Desperate search is launched for missing tourist in Bali

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: 23:31 BST, 29 September 2025 | Updated: 00:02 BST, 30 September 2025

The search for a boy who disappeared into the bush on his family’s sheep station three days ago has ramped up.

August, also known as Gus, was last seen playing in sand near the homestead roughly 40km south of Yunta, in South Australia’s mid-north, about 5pm on Saturday.

His family hope the clothes he was last seen wearing – a grey broad-brimmed hat, blue long-sleeved shirt with a Minion picture on the front, light grey pants and boots – would help protect him from the elements.

Superintendent Mark Syrus, officer in charge of the Yorke and Mid North region, said recent weather would have been ‘uncomfortable’ for Gus.

‘He was dressed well for sun conditions and we are hoping that served him well over those cold nights as well,’ he said.

Police have thrown everything at the search for the young boy including specialist divers to check water tanks and dams, infrared cameras and drones.

Locals have also joined the search on motorbikes.

However, the sheer size of the 6,000-hectare sheep grazing property has left searchers stumped.

August, nicknamed Gus, went missing from a property (pictured) south of Yunta on Saturday

August, aged four, was last seen playing in sand near the property homestead (pictured, Yunta surrounds)

‘As you can see, it’s pretty low-lying, undulating countryside,’ Supt Syrus said.

‘That’s why we’ve put as many resources as we possibly can into finding young Gus.’

Roughly 3,000 sheep roam the property, which is also full of goats, kangaroos and wallabies.

Most dams on the property are dried up and Gus was not known to gravitate towards them.

South Australia Police have not released photos of Gus as per his family’s wishes.

Police do not believe Gus has been taken by anyone as the ‘only people who would travel on this road are station owners’.

Supt Syrus said it was ‘unusual’ for Gus to wander as he ‘normally stays within the confines of the area’.

‘But, who knows what goes through a four-year-old’s mind?’ he said.

Police divers have searched dams on the property (pictured) but Gus wasn’t known to gravitate to water

‘We understand he’s a pretty quiet sort of lad but he is, as you know, a country lad and he’s pretty adventurous as well.

‘But him moving out of the area is a little bit unusual.’

Anyone with information that may assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Fears grow for boy who disappeared without a trace in the Australian outback – as search enters day three

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