The family of a Tasmanian man missing for over a week in Malaysia has thanked authorities and locals who are still working to find the backpacker.

Andrew Gaskell, 25, went hiking in Mulu National Park in the Sarawak region on October 18.

Tasmania Police said he told his family he would take a week on the hike, but is now well overdue from making contact with them.

In a written statement released today, Gaskell family members said they were grateful for the support they had received from authorities and the community.

"We wish to pass on our sincere thanks for the support at home and in Malaysia that we have received during what is a difficult time for our family," the statement read.

"We also want to express our deep gratitude for the professional efforts of the local search teams who are going to great lengths to make sure everything possible is being done."

Mr Gaskell's family, who reported him missing last Thursday, also thanked locals from an area in Bengog, Kampung Nyegol, where Mr Gaskell visited.

"Some of the locals have travelled to Mulu National Park to help with the search, and we cannot thank them enough," the statement said.

"The Malaysian people who have shown great support and helped raise awareness of the situation."

The Gaskell family said it had been overwhelmed by the "kindness and generosity of spirit" of those assisting in the search for Andrew.

They urged anyone who may have any information on his apparent disappearance to contact authorities: "We also encourage people to continue to use social media to share posts in an effort to help find Andrew."

Tasmania Police said they were "continuing to liaise with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as Malaysian police".

Mulu National Park, spans 544 square kilometres of rainforest and features "fast-flowing rivers and clear jungle streams", as well as "one of the largest limestone cave systems in the world".

Search for meaning confessed ahead of travels

Prior to embarking on his adventure, Mr Gaskell wrote of his desire to "come to some sort of conclusion as to who I am".

"In August 2016, I will be embarking on a journey beginning somewhere in Asia and heading in a generally westward direction for an indefinite period of time," he wrote on his blog.

"My main travel goals are to have genuine cultural experiences with local people outside of the mainstream tourist attractions; and to climb a lot of mountains.

"And maybe, just maybe, in the course of my travels I'll come to some sort of conclusion as to who I am and what I want to do with my life.

"And so begins my journey beyond the horizon."