Police have found what they believe to be the body of a missing six-year-old girl in bushland at North Nowra.

South Coast Police were notified after the girl, Airlie Montgomery, went missing around 2pm on Sunday in the North Nowra area.

Officers immediately started a wide-scale search with more than 100 members of the public helping in the search for the North Nowra Public School student.

The police used a helicopter in the search with emergency services personnel focusing on The Grotto at Shoalhaven River, a popular hiking trail and lookout area.

Around 6pm a body was located in bushland. Police are not treating Airlie's death as suspicious and believe it was a case of misadventure gone wrong.

The NSW Department of Education issued a statement on Monday to say it was "deeply saddened by this tragedy" and “our thoughts are with the family and all those affected”. 

"We are providing support to students and staff and will continue to do so for as long as it is needed."

Police have launched an investigation into the death and a report will be prepared for the coroner.