A man feared drowned after diving into the surf at Noosa Heads to avoid police arrest has turned up alive in New South Wales almost two months later.

Ricky Gardner, 37, was last seen off Noosa's Main Beach just after midnight on January 9, after he ran away from police.

It sparked a massive land, air and sea search.

After an extensive search and fears for his safety, police last month reported a sighting of Gardner in Crows Nest near Toowoomba.

He was arrested near Port Macquarie on Wednesday for previous offences in New South Wales.

Queensland Police said investigations were continuing.