A man has drowned in a swimming hole west of Alice Springs, NT Police has said, with his body being recovered more than two days after he vanished.
Police launched an extensive search for the 36-year-old after friends reported him missing on Saturday afternoon.
The man, police said, had gone swimming with a group of friends at Fish Hole swimming spot in the Jay Creek area — a deep, permanent pool only accessible by four-wheel drive located about 30 kilometres west of Alice Springs.
The swimming spot is at the trailhead for two sections of the Larapinta Trail — a popular 223-kilometre walking trail in Central Australia that winds through the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Police said the search efforts included foot patrols, drone equipment and a boat equipped with sonar capability.
Search and rescue operations continued throughout Sunday and Monday morning before police said the man's body was recovered on Monday.
Police said the man’s death was not being treated as suspicious and that a report would be prepared for the coroner.
