The Sydney family, which included three young children, had planned to hike near Lake Albina for three days but increasing bad weather forced them to hunker down for an extra night.

Police say that although the parents were experienced high country walkers, the children did not have the ability to face the severe weather conditions and there were fears that they would suffer hypothermia.

The Charlotte's Pass lodge manager raised the alarm and police, fire brigade, ambulance, National Parks and SES searchers found them yesterday morning.

Inspector Ian Davey of the Monaro police command says he wants to introduce a formal requirement that bushwalkers provide details about their plans.

"One of the things we identified in our search - and I have spoken to all of the services, emergency services and the people involved - is that we are probably looking at a formal requirement that people who are going out on a walk from lodges provide more detail, especially the routes they are going on," he said.