Two missing bushwalkers who spent a chilly winter's night in Macquarie Pass National Park have been found safe and well.
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A 43-year-old man and his 15-year-old stepdaughter left their Dapto home on Monday to head to Clover Hill Track bushtrack for a walk in the Cascades area at Macquarie Pass.
Acting district inspector Ellen Jackson said the alarm was raised by family members when the pair failed to return home by nightfall.
"They were due to be home by 6pm," she said.
"When they failed to arrive home at that time calls were made to locate them."
Police were notified they were missing about 8pm.
Lake Illawarra officers commenced a search, assisted by Police Rescue, POLAIR, the Dog Unit, and NSW State Emergency Service.
Insp Jackson said mobile phone reception was not good in the area and concern about the two missing bushwalkers being out in the cold prompted an extensive search of the area.
"When police attended the location and found the vehicle unattended we were fairly sure they were at that location," she said.
"We did a land search but due to that dense terrain POLAIR weren't successful in locating them.
"We remained with the land search until 1.15am when it was ceased and resumed again at first light.
Insp Jackson said Police Rescue found the man and girl just after 8am Tuesday, a short distance from their vehicle on the Clover Hill Track.
Neither were injured and did not require medical attention.
Insp Jackson encouraged all bushwalkers at this time of the year to be prepared and wear suitable clothing for the cold conditions.
"You need to notify someone where you are going.
"And take two litres of water per person on the walk.
"We do say if you are planning a bushwalk that you download the Emergency+ app."
NSW SES senior group officer Ray Merz said the State Emergency Service received a call for help around 9pm from NSW Police to assist them in the land search for the two missing people.
"We were ably to provide 15 volunteers from four local units," he said.
"And on Tuesday morning we had a similar number from another four units.
"Unfortunately this is becoming quite common on a long weekend in that area."
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
