A man discovered a cash windfall of thousands of dollars when the drawer fell out of a cabinet he had just purchased from a council recycling market in southern Queensland.

Now police are appealing for public help to find the original owner of the television cabinet.

Police said the Nanango man purchased the timber cabinet at the Hervey Bay Recycling Market on Chapel Road and Aarlborg Road at North Nikenbah on June 27.

When he was unloading the cabinet at home, one of the drawers opened and the cash fell out.

The man then went to Nanango Police Station and handed the cash over to officers.

In a Facebook post from the Fraser Coast council, the sum of money found was in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Nanango Police Constable Kenneth O'Connor said police were eager to reunite it with the owner.

"We're thinking it more than likely came from that council region," he said.

"It could have been either picked up from a truck that goes out and picks items of furniture up from households, or it could have possibly been delivered to the recycling centre."

Anyone who may have information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.