Missing boy found in southern Qld

An adventurous five-year-old boy missing in southern Queensland has been found safe and well.

Police found the child on Thursday night, after he wandered into bushland off Rainbow Beach Road, Wallu, in pursuit of his pet dogs on that morning.

His mother had described him as "a confident lad" who liked to go off exploring on adventures, Inspector Stephen Donnelly said before the child was located.

His disappearance sparked a widespread search of the area, which includes a dense pine forest, by officers on foot, the dog squad and a search helicopter.