The search involved police officers, ambulance paramedics, volunteers from Kiama SES Unit, staff from National Parks and Wildlife Services and ambulance and police helicopters.

The bushwalkers, a 49-year-old mother and her 23-year-old daughter from the Central Coast, called Triple 0 about 11.15am.

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Lake Illawarra Police District Acting Inspector Peter Northey said the younger woman fell and sprained her ankle.

The pair then got lost and were not able to find their way out of the dense bushland.

A helicopter crew located the women and National Parks and Wildlife Service staff and paramedics found the pair and lead them out of the bush on foot.

Acting Inspector Northey said the terrain was too difficult for the helicopter to land or for the women to be winched out.

"The women were found at about 1.35pm," he said.

"The injured woman declined to go to hospital.

"Police want to praise the pair who had a mobile phone with them. They used the NSW Emergency app which provided the GPS coordinates to emergency services.

"That helped us work out where the women were. We were then able to work out an action plan to get them out safely.

"The rescue operation was a good combined effort from all emergency services."

Acting Inspector Northey said this was a timely reminder for people to ensure they carry emergency gear such as a mobile phone, first aid kit, water, food, blanket and torch when going for a bushwalk.