The rescue squad, made up of police, SES and a helicopter found the Mount Isa woman at around 6.30pm after an extensive search of the area. The 44-year-old had been missing since 8.15am on Saturday.

Police said the woman had been travelling with two other people when she stopped by the side of the road for a break about 15 kilometres east of Mount Isa and did not return after she walked into the bush land.

Mount Isa Police Inspector Trevor Kidd said the woman was not believed to be injured.

He said the reason she did not walk back to the car after break was still unknown.

"We will launch an investigation into why she was there and how she managed to survive," he said.

Insp. Kidd said finding the woman so quickly was a good result.

"Finding this woman in a short amount of time is a testament to the hard work of police and SES."