A 28-year-old man has been charged with murder over the death of Cayleb Hough, whose body was found in a mineshaft months after he was reported missing.

Police charged the man, from Kawarren, south of Colac, on Saturday but did not announce the development until after his first court appearance on Sunday.

He was remanded in custody and will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court again on Thursday, a police spokeswoman said.

A Facebook page set up to create awareness about the case said the laying of the charge was "big news