Queensland's Greek community mourns death of newly-married couple in light plane crash. Rhiley Kuhrt and Maree Kuhrt (nee Notaras).
Friends said Ms Kuhrt was 27 weeks pregnant with the couple's first child together.
The alarm was raised after the Cherokee plane they were piloting failed to arrive at Lakeside Airport north of Mackay around 5pm.
The wreckage was discovered in dense bushland in the Clarke Range during an aerial search around 10am on Monday, and both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said the plane faced harsh weather conditions ahead of the crash including rain, thunder and low visibility.
Friends and family took to social media to pay tribute to the young couple.
Zoe Cranney was shocked by the news.
"She was such a gorgeous soul, with so much heart and just lit up any room she walked into," she said.
"My all time [favourite] memory was making those delish Greek biscuits with her and her Yia Yia.
"Seeing Maree follow her dreams to head west and live that cowgirl lifestyle made me so happy.
"The little life they built was the sweetest thing to watch. The world will shine a little less brighter without you three."
Natasha Lawrence said Ms Kuhrt had a passion for horse riding and the outback.
"She was the most caring and kindest soul I've ever met," she added.
Shannara Joseph said she attended Seton College in Mount Gravatt with Ms Kuhrt and was "absolutely devastated".
"We were talking to her and her husband's family because me and my partner were planning to move to Mackay and we were going to raise our children together," she said.
On Facebook, Cameron Aroin paid tribute to the "two beautiful souls".
"You will both be missed by everyone. [You] guys [were] taken from this world too soon," he said.
Rachel Finch said the news was a "daily reminder to hold your loved ones close".
"RIP Maree Kuhrt and your unborn child," she said.
Retrieval operation to take days
Mackay Police Inspector Andrew Godbold said investigations were ongoing, but poor weather could see the recovery operation suspended.
"We are getting assistance from local SES to get through the terrain and get set up," he said.
