A young mother has been found dead in sand dunes days after visiting a hair salon, sparking a police appeal.
Payge Leembruggen, 31, was discovered by a man walking his dogs at a popular Mackay beach in central Queensland about 8am on Tuesday, police said.
She was last seen at 8.55am on Friday at an Andergrove salon, located about 6km from the beach.
"We're trying to fill a four-day gap at this time," Detective Inspector Emma Novosel told reporters in Mackay on Wednesday.
"That's why we're seeking information from members of the public."
The mother-of-one's cause of death was unknown but an autopsy had been scheduled, Det Novosel said.
Ms Leembruggen was not reported missing and it was not unusual for her to travel from her Mount Jukes address - where she lived with extended family - to Mackay, about 40km away.
Det Novosel said the area where Ms Leembruggen's body was found was being combed by police and the SES.
"We're obviously going through that bushland area to try and find any items of interest that could assist us in determining what happened to Payge and how she came to be in that location," she said.
Support was being provided to Ms Leembruggen's family who were "understandably" upset, and her young child was being cared for by family members, police said.
Anyone who saw Ms Leembruggen between Friday and Tuesday or has any information should contact police.
Ms Leembruggen is described as Caucasian and about 178cm tall with brown hair.
She was last seen wearing a white top, bright red yoga pants and a red bow in her hair, with a small backpack-style handbag.
