A convicted offender who allegedly escaped prison on a red tractor has been caught.

Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, was taken into custody just after midnight on Tuesday at a campsite in bushland near Cow Bay, about a two-and-a-half hour drive north of Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre, in Far North Queensland, police said.

The tractor — a Red Massey with a front bucket — remains missing.

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Rennie had been on the run for more than a month after disappearing from the low-security facility on June 1.

He was last seen at 10.20am working at the correctional farm but was nowhere to be found at the midday head count.

“He was conducting duties at the facility using a Red Massey tractor ... so we believe he may well have left the facility with the tractor,” Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said at the time.

Chetham confirmed the breakout did not involve a forced exit but police were stunned by the escape method Rennie used.

“Yes, I haven’t heard that one before, I don’t think anyone’s left in a tractor before,” Chetham said.

Police believed he was trying to reach family in the Far North when he escaped.

Rennie was serving a sentence of six years, three months and 23 days for offences including assault, burglary, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and drug and weapons charges.

He has now been charged with one count each of escape from lawful custody and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and has been remanded in custody.

Authorities said Rennie was in the company of a 48-year-old woman from Rocky Point who is assisting with the investigation.

“We know that they knew each other,” Chetham said.

“They’re associates from his life on the outside and we’re going to piece together whether she was aiding or abetting.”

Police said the escapee had a “good deal” of bushcraft and believed he would have tried to stay off the grid.

“There’s a lot of forestry up here and so we knew it was going to be a challenge but I’m very grateful that we got our hands on him this morning,” Chetham said.

Rennie is due to face Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday.