The nine girls had been lost since midday, but were well provisioned and reportedly happy to stay camped out after being found by police. 

A massive search effort, involving police units from all over the region, was launched after the girls were reported missing in the evening by their school. 

Police combed camping grounds and tracks in the park for almost two hours before finding the group in good spirits at the Graham's Creek camping ground. 

The air wing was preparing to fly up from Melbourne when they were found, and the SES was also just getting started.