The three, one who has just moved to the area and two from away, were last seen at 9am on Sunday as they were setting off from Stroud for their trail bike ride.

They were due to return around lunch time and were reported missing at 6pm.

A search of the bushland began overnight which involved police from Port Stephens Local Area Command and the Westpac Lifesaver helicopter.

A command post has been set up at Stroud Police Station with Inspector Matthew Moroney heading the search.

“A ground search began around at 8am this morning,” he said.

“They are believed to be in the Simsville or Sagar Creek area.

“There are serious concerns for the wellbeing because of the inclement weather and because they were due back at 1pm.

“We do believe they have mobile phones with them, but no-one has been able to make contact with them.”

“While the men are equipped for off road trail biking, it is understood they have no supplies.”

Police from Port Stephens Local Area Command, PolAir, State Forests personnel and members of the Karuah Valley SES are involved in the search.

There are concerns that one of the men, who are aged 21, 27 and 38, may be injured and they are staying together.