A man who spent four days lost in bushland in remote Far North Queensland has survived by drinking from waterholes known to be inhabited by crocodiles.

Jerry David, 44, was dressed only in a pair of shorts and had no food or water when his four-wheel drive hit a cow about 25 kilometres from the township of Pompuraaw in Cape York last Thursday.

Jerry David was found by police on Monday after surviving in the bush with no shirt, shoes, or food for four days. ( Supplied: Queensland Police Service )

With the car a wreck, disorientated, and in pitch darkness, Mr David set off on foot back towards his hometown of Kowanyama, more than 100km away.

Police became aware that the man was missing after the man's family noticed he had not arrived in Pormpuraaw.

Sergeant Nick Ziersch, from Pompuraaw Police, said Mr David was found wandering in the bush near the Mitchell River, about 30 kilometres from the crash site on Monday afternoon.

He said it was a "remarkable" story of survival given the searing temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius.

"He had no shirt, no shoes, and no food and managed to stay alive by drinking from waterholes," Sergeant Ziersch said.

"He had enough local knowledge to be able to avoid crocodiles while drinking."

Sergeant Ziersch said Mr David was in relatively good spirits when he was located by rescuers, despite four days lost in one of the most remote areas in the country.

Map Pormpuraaw, north and Kowanyama, Cape York

"We are dealing with a very isolated, remote area of 150,000 square hectares," he said.

"There are obvious hazards in the environment; we have the high temperatures, a lack of water, and there is some quite hazardous wildlife in the area."

Sergeant Ziersch said Mr David had been examined by medical authorities and was immediately given the all-clear.

"He did say he had had nothing to eat since Thursday afternoon and had drunk about 10 to 12 litres of water during the time he was missing," Sergeant Ziersch said.

Sergeant Ziersch said Mr David's traditional knowledge of the land had undoubtedly helped him survive.

"It's quite remarkable when you consider the factors involved," he said.