An Australian climber is still missing at Mount Aspiring National Park near Wanaka, despite rescue teams searching for him overnight.

Rescue crews have found the Australian climber who has been missing since midday on Monday in sub-zero conditions on Mt Aspiring near Wanaka.

The Australian Army soldier has been described as being in "good spirits" despite the time spent in freezing temperatures, 50-60 km winds and heavy snow at times.

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ) Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Mike Roberts said it was "extraordinary" the 29-year-old was found alive with "slight frostbite".

LIZ CARLSON The climber set off up the Mt Aspiring "alone and lightly packed".

When the Southern Lakes and Mt Aspiring helicopters arrived to rescue the man at about 5pm on Thursday, he was standing and waving, Roberts said.

RCCNZ spokesman Vince Cholewa said an Alpine Rescue team and a paramedic were with the Australian.

"They have set up a tent and they have food, clothes and equipment for him."

A search has been launched for Australian climber missing near Mt Aspiring.

READ MORE:

* Why are so many people dying in Mount Aspiring National Park?

* Safety fears for Australian climber missing on Mt Aspiring near Wanaka

* Czech tramper dead on Routeburn Track, partner rescued after month in hut

The helicopter dropped the crew off to the man before it was flown to Wanaka to refuel, Cholewa said.

Roberts said the group would be evacuated tomorrow dependent on the weather.

"The pilots did an amazing job to fly in and out, despite the low cloud tonight. It has just hung around the mountain for days and hampered our search efforts. The helicopter crews, Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue team and Police all deserve the highest praise for the work they've done over the past two days - and particularly tonight."

The man was in "good spirits" given the circumstances, Roberts said.

An Australian Defence spokesperson this evening confirmed the man was an Australian Army soldier on leave in New Zealand.

"Defence is providing support to the soldier's family at this time."

Australian media reported he was an army captain.

Freezing conditions, heavy rain and thunderstorms hampered efforts to search for the lightly-packed climber who was reported missing on the mountain on Tuesday.

The man was due back from his three-night trip early on Monday afternoon.

A helicopter team was sent into the area when there was a break in the weather early on Thursday morning. The helicopter was forced back when the weather deteriorated shortly after.

RCCNZ search and rescue officer Geoff Lunt said an attempt to reach his last known position was also made on Wednesday night.

Two Alpine Cliff Rescue crews were to be dropped in the area but the helicopter was forced to turn back, due to low cloud.

A Southern Lakes rescue helicopter equipped with night vision and carrying a paramedic and two Alpine Rescue crews made three attempts to reach the spot but had to turn back after an hour.

"As well as the poor weather conditions, there is a high risk of avalanches that is hampering the search assets from reaching the climber's position," Lunt said.

MetService forecasts wet weather to linger around the Southern Lakes until evening. Scattered and heavy rain, thunderstorms, chilly winds and snow falling to 1200 metres was forecast until 6pm.

The temperature at 1800m was between -2 degrees Celsius and 0C.

Searchers found the climber's gear – cold weather gear, sleeping bag, cooker and food at French Ridge Hut.

RCCNZ first received the man's locator beacon activation signal at about 12.15pm on Tuesday, at Mt Aspiring.

Police had notified the man's family and the Australian Embassy.

Over the past decade more than 30 people have died in and around Mount Aspiring National Park, one of country's most popular playgrounds for adventure-seekers.

Erik Monasterio, a forensic psychiatrist and mountaineer, earlier said rapidly changing weather patterns made New Zealand's national parks more unpredictable than those in Europe, the United States and Latin America.

Because the parks were so accessible, tourists and inexperienced trampers and climbers could get lulled into a false sense of security, he said.