A search is underway for five people missing in the Northern Territory, after a pair who went looking for a missing party of three also failed to return.

Key points: Police believe the missing trio were driving a older model Toyota Landcruiser

Police believe the missing trio were driving a older model Toyota Landcruiser They also believe they had ample food and water

They also believe they had ample food and water An aerial search is underway in the Bulman area

On Monday, Telina Cummings, 26, Kurt Tipingwuti, 26, and Esau Martin, 31, left to go hunting in an area approximately 20 kilometres south-east of Bulman, which is about 300 kilometres east of Katherine.

The next day, two men — Lincoln Martin, 44, and James Andrews, 32 — went to search for the missing people.

None of the five people returned.

Police believe the trio were travelling in an older-model Toyota Landcruiser.

Mr Martin and Mr Andrews departed Bulman in separate cars.

It is believed the initial hunting party had ample food and water and are familiar with the area.

NT Police Superintendent Peter Kennon said they were approached by Bulman community members yesterday, who told them about the disappearances of the five locals.

Today, a helicopter was deployed from Katherine to search the Bulman area, with a volunteer trained in aerial observation onboard.

Police said further resources were en route.

However a land search is currently restricted due to localised flooding and boggy conditions.

"Bulman community is cut off at the moment," Superintendent Kennon said.

"The Central Arnhem Road is closed.

"So it's not accessible from our next closest station which is Maranboy. So we're left with undertaking an aerial search at this stage."

Map The five went missing near Bulman

He said if the missing woman and four men were not found, more specialised officers would be deployed to the region.

While he said police were not overly concerned at the moment, the situation would become more urgent as time went on.

"Initially it's been probably a medium level of concern, if I could use those words, given that the initial party was reported to have plenty of food and water and was quite familiar with the area," he said.

"But certainly, as time goes on, our concern does increase."

Anyone with further information in relation to the missing people is urged to contact police on 131 444.

Search for another missing man called off

Minutes after NT Police announced the search for the missing five was underway, they suspended the search for missing bushman Harold Morton.

Mr Morton, 44, was last seen at 6:00am on Friday walking north from the remote Aboriginal community of Ampilatwatja, about 322 kilometres north of Alice Springs.

Police said they had conducted numerous aerial and land searches and their hopes of finding him alive were diminishing.

"Sadly, our extensive search efforts that have been dedicated to finding Harold will be returned to normal front line police duties, unless further information indicating Harold's location were to become available," Senior Sergeant Michael Potts said.

"At this stage, due to the extreme weather conditions in the region, our hopes of finding Mr Morton alive and in good health are diminishing."

Mr Morton is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, 175cm tall, with a slender build and a greying beard.

At the time her went missing he was wearing blue jeans, a two-tone green and blue polo shirt and runners.

Anyone with information on Mr Morton's whereabouts are asked to call police on 131 444.