SIX bushwalkers were located safely by emergency services after losing their way on a coastal walking track near Helensburgh.

About 6.30pm on Friday the group entered the track near Otford. Upon their journey, the group became lost.

A 21-year-old woman called police for assistance. A multi-agency response was activated to search for the bushwalkers with Wollongong Police assisted by State Emergency Services, Royal Fire Service, Pol Air, NSW Ambulance and Illawarra Police Rescue.

About 1am on Saturday, Police Rescue and SES members located the group about 20 minutes from the start of the walk. The group, consisting of a 21-year-old woman, a 13-year-old, a 10-year-old, an 8-year-old and a 5-year-old, were uninjured and in good spirits.

They were conveyed to Wollongong Police Station where they spent the night.

Police from Wollongong Local Area Command have appealed for groups planning to bush walk in the area to be better prepared for the conditions they will encounter.

Police also encourage hikers to install the ‘Emergency Plus App’ on their mobile phones, which allows for swift identification of a location by emergency services.