Melbourne, Dec 13 : A solo adventurer rowing from Peru to Sydney has been rescued off the coast of Australia after being at sea since February 21.

Rower Alexandro Bellini's wife telephoned water police to say her husband needed help, 65 nautical miles off Laurieton on the New South Wales mid-north coast, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The 30-year-old man had contacted his wife to say he was nearing exhaustion. He had been at sea since leaving Lima, Peru on February 21

The police vessel Nemesis was dispatched and Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR) in Canberra sent an aircraft to the area.

The New Zealand-registered tugboat Katea, 12 nautical miles from the rower''s position, was directed to assist.

Bellini arrived at the Newcastle dock this morning looking thin and weary but otherwise healthy.

His wife, Francesca Bellini, who has been on his support team, welcomed him in a teary reunion but says she will be happy for him to do another long distance challenge in the future.

Bellini says he is disappointed not to have made it the whole way to Australia, but he is very proud of what he did achieve. He is reported to be in a good condition but exhausted. (ANI)