Harrowing river trip for NSW family

A family of seven who set out on an Australia Day float down a river in NSW's southwest have spent a harrowing night after becoming separated.

Police in Wagga Wagga said the group of three adults and four children had planned to float down the Murrumbidgee River in inflatable boats and kayaks to a nearby campsite at Yarragundry on Sunday.

After setting out together at 10.30am (AEDT) on Sunday, the group then became separated.

Four of them reached the shore just before dark and raised the alarm that two children and an adult were missing.

Police and State Emergency Services found the trio at 2.30am after they managed to stop on the river bank.

The children, who were wearing lifejackets, were in a distressed state and were treated for minor injuries.

Last week, the body of 19-year-old Chris Sahn was recovered after he went missing while swimming in the Murrumbidgee River.