Police said in a statement the three 22-year-old women and a 4-year-old girl were found by a search crew, using night vision goggles, about 1am on Saturday.
"They picked up the light from a cellphone screen."
The group, who were late returning from a walk, were "safe and well".
"The group were checked over by medical staff and apart from being very cold, were uninjured."
The group were "very grateful" to the search crews, including the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter crew, and about 35 people from police and search and rescue volunteers from Balclutha, the Catlins, Dunedin and North Otago.
Three dogs were also used in the search.
Dunedin Search and Rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Nathan White commended the women for not panicking and devising a strategy to try to get themselves found.
That included moving to a clearing below the helicopter’s flight path, to make it easier to be spotted.
The group had rationed the food and water available, he said.
"They kept the child warm and safe ... a pretty good job."
Some of the "adverse" comments about the group on social media were "unjust", as Silverpeaks was designed for recreational use, such as day walks, Sgt White said.
