Two bushwalkers with mild hypothermia are being rescued from rugged wilderness, less than a week after a tourist died in the same area.

The pair activated an emergency beacon at 7.15pm on Wednesday in Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain National Park, but an attempt to reach them by helicopter was called off in bad weather.

An on-foot search and rescue group reached the bushwalkers and was expected to walk with them to safety later on Thursday.

They were given treatment for mild hypothermia.

Temperatures in the national park fell to zero on Thursday morning, with snow also falling in the area in the past week.

Less than a week ago, a female Chinese tourist died in the national park after being “overcome” by weather conditions while walking with a group.

This latest group was on a day walk but did not have appropriate equipment and were initially helped by a group of fellow bushwalkers.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he was open to implementing additional safety precautions, such as stationing more rangers or conducting gear checks, to improve safety.

“This is a tragic warning to all visitors,” Rockliff said.

“Whenever you go walking in the wilderness, conditions can change very, very quickly. Preparation is the key.”

Cradle Mountain is home to the popular multiday Overland Track, described as Australia’s premier alpine walk.

Tasmania Police renewed advice for people hiking in the state after the death.

“Tasmania’s weather can change very quickly, particularly in the alpine areas,” Inspector Steve Jones said.

“This means there are times … when we can’t deploy the helicopter and it takes time for a ground search and rescue team to walk into remote areas.”

-AAP