A man charged with the murder of a young woman whose body was found beside a NSW river will remain in custody after his matter was mentioned briefly in court.

George Robert Ballantyne, 30, from Greta near Maitland in the NSW Hunter region, appeared before Maitland Local Court on Monday charged with murdering 23-year-old Clare Weston.

Ms Weston's body was discovered on the banks of the Hunter River at Aberglasslyn on Sunday morning.

Police allege Ballantyne murdered her some time between 2am and 8.10am (AEDT) on Sunday.

Ballantyne did not apply for bail which was formally refused by Magistrate Sharron (Sharron) Crews.

He is expected to appear via videolink at Newcastle Local Court on April 24.