Police located the 52-year-old in Taylors Arm River, around 120km north of the town.

Inspector Alan Williams of the Port Macquarie police said the man had been swimming and had not returned home when expected.

“That was on Friday,” Insp Williams said. “A search was conducted without success and police divers were called from Sydney.

“They arrived on Saturday afternoon and conducted a preliminary search in the river.

“The search was resumed on Sunday morning and his body was located at 10am.”

Insp Williams said the man’s family had been notified and a report was being prepared for the coroner.