CCTV footage captures the chilling moment a man tried to abduct an eight-year-old girl.

The moment a man attempted to abduct an eight-year-old girl has been caught on camera.

The incident occurred in Emerald, Queensland, on Thursday.

In the chilling CCTV footage, the man pulls into the rear of the Emerald Hotel on Clermont St at around 4.50pm.

He is driving a white Toyota Hilax with a tray back. He pulls up next to a Holden Sedan.

Just as he parks, a woman and a child are seen exiting the Sedan and walking into the back of the hotel.

The man then walks towards the back entrance before returning to his vehicle. He then walks across the car park and opens the right side back door of the Sedan.

He reaches in and attempts to snatch the child, but is interrupted by the hotel manager.

The man then returns to his ute and flees the scene.

The girl was not physically harmed during the incident and police are now searching for the man.

Detective Acting Inspector Luke Peachey told the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin, the mother of the young girl was dropping kids off from a birthday party at the time of the incident.

She was returning one child to the hotel premises when the attempted abduction took place.

The man has been described as being aged in his 30s, with a slim build and a beard. At the time of the incident he was wearing dark shorts, a straw hat, thongs and a grey or green t-shirt.

The Toyota Hilax he was driving is believed to be between a 2012 and 2015 model, and he had a large green esky and a smaller red esky in the ute tray.

Det. Act Insp Peachey has urged the community to look after young ones and to keep an eye on them, especially in public spaces.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Policelink on 131 444.