A man has been found hiding in a motel room cupboard in northern NSW, five days after he allegedly attacked his former partner with a machete.

The Lismore man, 36, allegedly entered a house last Sunday armed with a large blade and assaulted the woman, 38, who he'd previously been in a relationship with.

The man then fled, police said.

On Wednesday officers entered the man's unit, where they discovered a pistol and other items.

The man, upstairs at the time, fled the apartment.

On Friday a search operation was launched involving Richmond Police, officers from the Dog Unit and PolAir, the police helicopter.

He was found hiding in the cupboard of a motel room in Casino, police said - adding he allegedly tried again to flee but was "subdued and arrested without incident".

He was taken to Lismore Police Station and charged with three outstanding warrants for driving, assault, domestic violence, property, 유로247 and firearms offences.

The man was refused bail and appeared in Lismore Local Court on Friday.

He is due in Lismore Local Court again on February 28.