Police have thanked the public after their appeal for assistance to locate a girl missing in the Illawarra.

Bella Morley, aged 11, was missing after she had last been seen in Wiseman Park, Wollongong, about 7pm on Tuesday.

Following inquiries, she was located safe and well on Thursday evening.

When she could not be located or contacted on Tuesday, officers attached to the Wollongong Police District were notified and initiated inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family had held concerns due to her age.