A FORMER Westbury man who sparked a massive search after he went missing for three days in the Australian outback has been found.

Anthony Collis, 32, was driving to Darwin along the Canning Stock Route when he became separated from his travelling companion on Thursday afternoon.

The alarm was raised hours later when Mr Collis's friend walked into a camp site disorientated and dehydrated.

Western Australia Police launched a large search for Mr Collis and recovered his car close to Well 22 on the Canning Stock Route.

Mr Collis, who is originally from Wiltshire but has lived in Perth for some years, was found on Sunday morning in bushland half a mile north of Well 22.

"He is dehydrated and suffering from exposure but otherwise fine," a police spokesman said.

"He is currently being flown by helicopter to Newman where he will be treated in hospital.

"Mr Collis had been missing since Thursday. He had been driving the Canning Stock Route with a 39-year-old woman when they became separated.

"She was located by travellers at the Georgia Bore camp on Thursday night which lead to a search and rescue operation commencing at first light on Friday."

It is thought that he sheltered from sub-zero temperatures at night and scorching heat during the day by digging holes and covering himself in sand. 

He was treated for dehydration but is now thought to have left hospital.

Mr Collis's mother, Karen, praised the emergency services for finding her son.

"Thanks to everybody. My son has been found," she wrote on Facebook.

"All of you guys out searching, too many to thank individually but you are our heroes. Everybody in the family will be eternally grateful to you all."