Cold Case Homicide Squad detectives are digging in sand dunes at Cottesloe Beach in Perth as they ramp up efforts in the 30-year investigation into the disappearance of Julie Cutler.

The then-22-year-old woman was last seen at a work function at the Parmelia Hilton hotel in June, 1988.

Ms Cutler was reported missing the next day and her sedan was later found dumped in the surf at Cottesloe Beach.

Missing Perth woman Julie Cutler was last seen on June 20, 1988. ( Supplied: WA Police )

Her body has never been found.

Eight years after her disappearance, a member of the public found a number of personal items in sand dunes at the popular beach.

They were handed to police in early 1997, but following inquiries with people who knew Ms Cutler they were dismissed as not being hers.

Police search dunes at Cottesloe Beach as part of the cold case review into the disappearance of Julie Cutler. ( ABC News: James Carmody )

They were then photographed and destroyed after not being linked to the crime.

The Cold Case Homicide Squad has since established that the items, which include a purse and a diary, may have belonged to Ms Cutler.

Julie Cutler's badly damaged car washed up on Cottesloe Beach days after her disappearance. ( Supplied: WA Police )

$250,000 reward offered

Detective Sergeant Gailene Hamilton said today's search was near the location items were found. It comes five months after the State Government announced a $250,000 reward for information leading to Ms Cutler's disappearance.

Sorry, this video has expired The WA Government announced a $250,000 reward for information in June.

"We spoke to family members and we've spoken to friends of Julie's from the time and they believe that those items may be Julie's," she said.

"… we are searching the dunes here at Cottesloe … to see if there are any other items that may relate to Julie's disappearance."

Police previously searched the area in 2002 but the new probe is part of a cold case review that began in November last year.

Detective Sergeant Hamilton said it was hoped the search might generate further information from the public.

Police sift through sand in the hunt for evidence at Cottesloe Beach. ( ABC News: James Carmody )

"That's definitely a hope of ours and a hope of the family as well," she said.

"You know, things change over time. It's been 30 years since Julie disappeared and there's someone out there that does know what happened to Julie.

"So we're hopeful if people do know things, they need to contact police, provide us the information. Even if it's something little, let us make a decision on whether that's important to the investigation or not.

"This has been a long and distressing period for Julie's family and friends and we are hoping to resolve this matter for them."

Officers hope the search will result in fresh clues. ( ABC News: James Carmody )

Childhood friend and cousin of Julie Cutler, Jane Marwick — a journalist who has covered the investigation for many years — said it was a tough day for the Cutler family.

"I've spoken with Gordon Marwick, Julie's uncle, today and the Marwicks are thinking of the Cutlers," she said.

"It's a sad day, but also everyone is just thinking of the Cutler family, first and foremost, and just hoping that there's a resolution."