Missing 6yo found 'safe and well' in Vic

A Victorian boy who went missing while playing cricket has been found "safe and well" in Beechworth about one kilometre from his home.

Six-year-old Ben Dean, who has Down syndrome but is high functioning, wandered off from his family's 90 acre rural property when playing cricket on Wednesday evening.

Victoria Police on Thursday said he was located before midday "safe and well" at a property on McFeeters Road.

Ben is being assessed by Ambulance Victoria.

"To him and his parents and all the people who love him, we send our best wishes," Premier Daniel Andrews told parliament.

Local police, SES and CFA members were joined in the intensive search by the police air wing, dog squad and search and rescue group.

Ben went missing while playing outside on Wednesday after 5pm.

"He was with a cricket bat playing outside and his mum was inside," Superintendent Paul O'Halloran told 3AW earlier on Thursday.

"She took her eyes off him - she was getting dinner prepared - and he's just wandered off in the space of about 10 minutes."

After Ben was found Victoria Police tweeted: "Thanks to the public for their assistance. What a great result!"