Despite the extreme weather conditions and rugged terrain, the two-day search and rescue effort ended well, with Police confirming a 38 year-old New Lambton man, and his 33-year-old female companion from Hamilton, found safe and well.

Relatives became concerned about the pair after they failed to return from a short bush walk on Friday afternoon.

They contacted Police on Saturday morning after conducting their own search of the 130 acre property.

Singleton SES community engagement officer, Simone Burrows, who was also a part of the search effort, says both the weather and the terrain made it a really tough.

“The search commenced on Saturday afternoon with 14 members of the Singleton SES and police dogs. When nothing was found Saturday, it was upgraded to a full scale search on Sunday and other SES volunteers from around the Hunter Region were called on,” she says.

A spokesperson from the Hunter Valley Local Command says at about 8:00 am on Sunday the search for the missing persons resumed.

“With the assistance of Newcastle Police Rescue and two SES parties searching both the east and western sides of the property. Family and friends also assisted with the search,” the spokesperson says.

“At about 10:00am the missing persons were located in a cave on the eastern side of the property. Both persons were located safe and well with nil injuries and very minor dehydration. They both walked from the location back to the house with the assistance of SES.”

Ms Burrows says it was fantastic effort from all the SES volunteers, and the successful outcome was very rewarding.

“All the SES members present over the weekend were volunteers, so it was a really rewarding feeling to have a positive outcome and receive thanks from the family,” she says.