Dozens of rescuers searched for hours for a two-year-old boy missing from a Victorian caravan park but it was a tiny whimper from under a fern that led a local fireman to little Joe Morrison.
The toddler's family, from Armidale in NSW, were celebrating their reunion on Saturday night, thankful he was found before the day turned cold and darkness set in.
Joe wandered off while his parents and sisters were packing up their cabin at the Jungle Beach Caravan Park at Marlo in the state's southeast after visiting family who own the park.
Glenn Morrison says panic set in when he realised his son was gone, about 10.30am.
A frantic search by family followed before police were called.
They were joined by CFA and SES crews, with Victoria Police Airwing and Dog Squad also assisting in the search.
Just before 3pm, relief spread through the park with news Joe had been found.
"He was found by a local fireman about 100 metres into the bush," Mr Morrison told AAP.
"The gentleman said he heard a wee whimper and if he hadn't heard that he would have been hard to find because the bush was so thick."
Mr Morrison says Joe was getting cold when he was found, but is now rugged up and doing well.
"We don't know how he'd have gone tonight, but he's fine now," he said.
The family had been planning to move on to Wonthaggi on Saturday, but decided to stay in Marlo and enjoy the feeling of relief.
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