The wreckage of a helicopter that went missing from Breeza in northern New South Wales carrying three people has been found in the Hunter region, with no survivors.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed the helicopter was found south of Cessnock in the Watagans National Park.

The aircraft left Breeza on Saturday but never arrived at its destination at Mona Vale, on Sydney’s northern beaches.

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AMSA said the trip that should only have taken a couple of hours.

Three people were on board, including Sydney pilot Richard Green and his wife Carolyn.

AMSA said weather conditions were severe in the Hunter region on Saturday, with localised thunderstorms and rain.

No mayday calls or emergency beacons were detected, AMSA said.

It was only reported missing at 8:00am this morning, sparking a search involving at least eight aircraft, including the Westpac rescue helicopter.

The aircraft is an EC-135, a modern twin-turbine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter.

Its visit to Breeza coincided with the Liverpool Plains Harvest Festival, which featured protests against the Shenhua coal mine.

AMSA narrowed the search down to 345 square kilometres south of Cessnock in the NSW Hunter region following information from Airservices Australia.

AMSA extended its condolences to the friends and family of those on board the helicopter.