It is believed the bush walkers contacted police via mobile phone.

Rescue crews are headed to an area near Pardons Point in Morton National Park. 

11AM: Two bush rescue teams are leading the search for a pair missing bush walkers at Ettrema Gorge, west of Nowra. 

The two bush walkers, 59-year-old William McCarthy and 60-year-old Francisca Boterhoven De Haan were reported missing by a workmate after they failed to return to Canberra on Tuesday following what was supposed to be a a three-day walk. 

Nowra Police Station inspector Ray Stynes described the terrain at Ettrema Gorge as “treacherous”, especially for Mr McCarthy and Ms Boterhoven De Haan, who are both quite inexperienced.

“The area is heavily bushed and the two bush walkers are avid bush walkers with limited experience,” he said. 

Inspector Stynes said crews were searching the walking track at Ettrema Gorge this morning. 

“We believe they are on that track,” he said. “It’s a walked track by experienced bush walkers but you have to be experienced to go through there.” 

The weather conditions have made search efforts difficult, and all aerial crews have been grounded until the weather improves. 

“The terrain they [crews] are walking through, we’ve only put our specialist bush recuse teams into it,” Inspector Stynes said. 

“Weather prevailing we may be able to drop some people into the track further down via the air, but we have to wait for the weather to clear up for that.” 

Police have serious concerns for Mr McCarthy and Ms Boterhoven De Haan’s welfare. It is unknown how many supplies they have and they are not believed to be in possession of an emergency beacon. However, Mr Stynes said he was “very hopeful” the pair would be found alive and well. 

As search crews do not know a great deal about the pair’s bush walking capabilities, anyone with information has been asked to contact police. 

“We ask that any friends or relatives that know these people or their bush walking capabilities contact us and let us know so we can get a clearer picture of who we are looking at,” Inspector Stynes said. 

A command post has been set up at Nowra Police Station to assist in the search. 

9.30AM: The Moruya-based Lifesaver 23 recuse helicopter involved in the search has been grounded due to poor weather. 

The crew is returning to base and will resume the aerial search later today if the weather improves. 

THURSDAY, 7AM: A large-scale search for a man and a woman who are believed to be missing in bushland west of Nowra recommenced this morning. 

It is believed William McCarthy, aged 59, and Francisca Boterhoven De Haan, aged 60, went bushwalking in the Ettrema Gorge within the Morton National Park, Ettrema, west of Nowra, on Saturday, December 8.

Mr McCarthy was expected to return to his home in Canberra by Tuesday but did not.

About 1.30pm yesterday (Wednesday, December 12), police were notified. A search was launched utilising resources from South Coast Police District, PolAir, the Westpac and NSW Ambulance helicopters, and the SES.

About 4pm, Mr McCarthy’s car was located in a car park on Tolwong Road, Ettrema.

Police have serious concerns for their welfare. It is unknown how many supplies they have and they are not believed to be in possession of an emergency beacon.

There are also concerns due to significant rainfall expected to impact the area over the next 24 hours.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

WEDNESDAY 5PM: An extensive search is now underway north-west of Tianjara in Morton National Park for the two missing bushwalkers.

The location of the male and female is not known but their car has been located.

Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter 23 is still searching the area and ridge lines have been drawn out. 

EARLIER: A Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter is on the way to Morton National Park to commence a search for two missing bush walkers. 

The crew received reports of the missing walkers just before 3.30pm, Wednesday, December 12.

The park is easily accessible from Bundanoon, Kangaroo Valley, Nowra and Ulladulla, and is popular among bushwalkers. 

More to come.