Qld property scoured for missing man

A man missing in north Queensland since December had previously spent six months in the bush without contacting his family.

Detectives, land search experts and SES staff are scouring two 20-acre blocks owned by the family of Laurence Sim, who was last seen on New Year's Eve at Roseneath.

It's thought the 62-year-old lived on one of the properties, which are surrounded by thousands of acres of land 100km west of Townsville, before he disappeared.

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Hicks said the "bushman", who suffered from medical conditions, had previously spent long periods of time in the wilderness without contacting his family.

He is now likely dead but police did not know whether his body would be on the property.

"Indications are that we are searching for a body at some stage," Det Sen Sgt Hicks said.

"There's been no contact with anyone, no mobile phone use, no bank account use."

Det Sen Sgt Hicks also said there had been no evidence to suggest Mr Sim was the victim of a homicide and his family became concerned eight months after he was last seen.

Police say dwellings on the properties seem to have been empty for months.

They expect to search the area for days and say they could venture into the surrounding land.