A teenager who disappeared while camping six days ago has been found and reunited with his family.

William, 17, whose surname has not been shared by police, was reported missing after straying from his camp near Walhalla, 185km east of Melbourne, in Victoria’s alpine region last Friday.

The teen, also known as Will, was dropped off by his mother for the weekend to camp with his step-brother.

It is believed he walked a short distance back to the drop-off location to retrieve further camping equipment.

When he failed to return shortly after, his stepbrother searched the area but found no trace of the teen.

His phone, food, and water had been left behind at the camp.

He was last seen near Stoney Creek Road, between Cowwarr and Walhalla, on November 6 about 4pm.

Fears grew for the missing boy when it was revealed that he was wearing minimal clothing while temperatures plunged below zero.

Victoria Police said that the teenager was located “safe and well” on Thursday morning and reunited with his family.

While an air search was being conducted over the Cowwarr area, a tacklebox was spotted around 2 kilometres from Stoney Creek, a spokesperson said.

After zooming in, William could be seen lying down close by in a creek.

Officers were winched down and the 17-year-old was retrieved to be reunited with his mum.

“Amazingly, William is in good spirits and, for the most part, in good health,” Victoria police said.

His mother Elizabeth Barkley told the ABC he had “only a few scratches” and was otherwise fit and healthy.

“He’s doing fine, everything seems to be fine — he’s in perfect health,” she said.

“He just stayed in one spot and waited to be rescued and I’m just over the moon he’s alive.”

The teenager was taken to hospital for monitoring.

Ms Barkley said she was “over the moon”.

Over the past six days, an extensive search has involved volunteers, SES, Ambulance Victoria, Bush Search and Rescue, Australian Search and Rescue K9, Search and Rescue Dogs K9, and the Cowwarr Football Netball Club,

with AAP