Bushwalker Julio Ascui has been found alive after five days missing in rugged Victorian mountains.
The Keilor Downs father left his home to go bushwalking at Halls Gap in the Grampians State Park on Friday, December 29 and did not make contact with his family.
Park authorities found him on Wednesday morning, by a creek at Halls Gap, and police said Mr Ascui is still in the process of being extracted from his location.
The 50-year-old was in good spirits, eating a banana and smiling, and said he was feeling well after being rescued.
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"I just coming to trek and I was lost for five days," Mr Ascui told reporters after being rescued. "There's a little river, I came every morning to fill up my bottle."
"I was really thirsty," he said.
Police thanked the efforts of the community after the successful search and rescue.
"Police would like to thank everyone involved in the search for Julio whose efforts have resulted in this successful outcome," a police spokesperson said.
Mr Ascui's car was located at a car park on the corner of Stoney Creek Road and Rosea Track in Halls Gap on Sunday.
