Bones found in Australian forest

The Belanglo State Forest in New South Wales. Photo / Wikimedia Commons

New South Wales police have discovered what they believe are human skeletal remains in Belanglo State Forest - the scene of the "backpacker murders" by notorious serial killer Ivan Milat.

The discovery, 18 years after his last recorded murder, raises the possibility that he may have had an eighth victim, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Police said a group of trail bike riders made the discovery about 3.15pm yesterday while riding in the forest in the state's southern highlands.

They called police, who sealed off the area and searched until the light failed.

Ivan Milat is serving seven life sentences for murdering seven backpackers, aged 19 to 22, between 1989 and 1992. Five of them were tourists visiting Australia (three German, two British), and two were Australian travellers from Melbourne.

- NZHERALD STAFF