Missing swimmer hoax: Man wanted in two states after three-day South Coast search

Police were alerted to a report of a missing man at Gillards Beach near Tathra about 5.30pm Wednesday.

The "missing" swimmer was reported by a 42-year-old Victorian man, who told police his twin brother had gone for a swim and disappeared in the water.

The man told police he had left his brother at the beach and driven back into Tathra for a couple of hours. Upon his return the man said he found clothes and personal belongings on the beach but no sign of his brother.

Police have now confirmed the man fabricated the story.

Search teams were expected to return to the area near Gillards Beach in the Mimosa Rocks National Park this morning but were stood down by police.

"Our understanding is that the situation was a hoax, but beyond that we don't have any other details," director of lifesaving for Surf Life Saving NSW Far South Coast Cheryl McCarthy told the Bega District News.

NSW Police South Coast District Chief Inspector Peter Volf confirmed that a 42-year-old Victorian man was wanted for making a false report to police. It's understood the man is also wanted in Victoria on separate fraud matters.

"He's now wanted in two states," Inspector Volf said.

As well as laying charges on the Victorian man, it's thought police would also likely seek compensation for the huge use of emergency response services, estimated at approaching $1 million Inspector Volf said.

Search efforts began about 5.30pm on Wednesday following reports a man had gone missing at Gillards Beach within Mimosa Rocks National Park, north of Tathra.

NSW Police Marine Area Command was supported by emergency search teams from surf life saving clubs up and down the coast, Merimbula and Bermagui Marine Rescue, Bega Valley SES volunteers, NSW Ambulance, PolAir and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Ms McCarthy said it was "frustrating and disappointing" for volunteers, who freely gave their time for these call-outs, often in situations that aren't always safe for them either.

"We had 25 people involved over the three days, all volunteers. [But] there are lots of positives here that we can look to - there's no substitute for training than the real thing. And I'm really proud of the way they worked together."

The amount of resources expended across the three-day search went beyond personnel, Ms McCarthy said.

"There's the fuel costs, particularly with the Westpac helicopter and Toll Air Ambulance - we threw everything at this."

Westpac Life Saver Helicopter CEO Stephen Leahy said the use of the chopper cost in the order of $33,000.

"We flew for nine and a half hours over two days at a cost of $33,000 - that's a lot of donations to lifesavers," he said.

"No shadow of a doubt that's what emergency services are there for. But if another incident had occurred there was potential the resources would not have been available."

Inspector Volf praised everyone involved in the search saying it was a tremendous effort, although disappointing "and all for nought".