A search operation to locate three missing trail bike riders in bushland near Stroud, ended mid morning on Monday after they were found safe and well.

The trio, aged 21, 27 and 38, were reported to police as missing to police around 6pm Sunday 23 August.

They were last seen at 9am as they were setting off from Stroud for their trail bike ride and were due to return around lunch time.

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

A ground search then began on Monday morning.

The search involved police from Port Stephens Local Area Command, PolAir and State Forests personnel.

Other organisations assisting in the search were included the Karuah arm of the State Emergency Service.

While the men were equipped for off road trail biking, they had no supplies or mobile phones.

Inspector Matthew Moroney, who is was in charge of the search said they originally had concerns that one of the men may be have been injured.

At around 11.30am Monday morning, a local volunteer involved in the coordinated search located the men on Saggers Hill.

The men decided to camp overnight as fuel supplies were low after becoming lost in the bush.