Police are ramping up efforts to try to find a man they believe may have gone missing near his home in a rural hamlet 90 minutes north of Sydney.
John Simpson, 42, was last seen driving on the Great North Road at Laguna in the Hunter Valley just after 2pm on April 13.
Police believe the white Toyota Hilux he was driving broke down on his way home but was able to be repaired to an extent and driven a short distance back to his property.
An investigation began when he could not be contacted, with emergency services searching a property in the area last week.
An expanded search along the Great North, Watagan Creek and Milsons Arm roads continued today through the mountainous countryside, which features creeks and winding roads.
Crews were assisted by Police Rescue, the Dog Unit, Operational Support Unit and the State Emergency Service.
"We do have information to suggest Mr Simpson has walked that location and ridden a push bike along those areas for the purpose of conducting casual work at some neighbouring properties," Detective Inspector Matthew Zimmer said.
"The purpose of our search today [is] to ensure that Mr Simpson has not succumbed to any misadventure in these areas."
Inspector Zimmer said while it was not unusual for Mr Simpson to go "weeks at a time without contacting family and friends", the extended period meant they now held "serious concerns for his safety".
"The timing of the last sighting of Mr Simpson, by an associate known to him, coincides with a period in which he was vacating his current premises in Laguna where he lived with a roommate," he said.
Inspector Zimmer said police were not drawing any conclusions about whether Mr Simpson's disappearance was suspicious.
He said there was every possibility he had relocated to another area, including interstate, and not informed anyone.
"Mr Simpson is not in any trouble with the police, we've had very few interactions with him," he said.
"They are [from] some time ago and they are insignificant in any case and we'd urge him to contact family or friends."
Mr Simpson is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180 centimetres tall, with a medium build, brown hair and a grey beard.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
