No Map, No Signal, No Help: How A German Backpacker Survived 12 Days Lost In Australian Bush

Last Updated:July 12, 2025, 17:17 IST

Carolina Wilga was found safe after being lost in the Western Australian outback for 11 nights. She survived by drinking rainwater and was rescued through a passing car.

German Backpacker Carolina Wilga Survived 12 Days Lost In Australian Bush

German backpacker Carolina Wilga was found exhausted, dehydrated, and famished after being lost in the Western Australian outback for 11 nights. As per a report by The Guardian, Wilga was found ‘safe and well’ on Friday night. As per the police, she came across a road and flagged down a woman in a passing car.

As per the report, Wilga had been exploring Western Australia in her self-sufficient van. She used to travel through small towns and bushlands.

WA police Acting Det Insp Jessica Securo on Saturday said that after being rescued, Wilga spoke to her family, had a good sleep, shower, and some food. Wilga last connected with her friends on June 29 when she had visited a shop in Beacon, a small town about 300km north-east of Perth in WA.

After not hearing from her for days, her kin raised alarm and the police began searching for the backpacker. Wilga’s Mitsubishi van was found abandoned in Karroun Hill, about 150km from Beacon, on Thursday. Securo said that Wilga lost control of the vehicle and that’s why it was found in a bogged condition.

According to Securo, she remained with the car for only a day before panic set in and she set out in search of help, using the sun’s position to guide her westward. With only a small supply of food and water, she survived by drinking rainwater and from puddles along the way.

At one point, she took refuge in a cave for shelter. Securo further said that Wilga is still in disbelief that she is safe and sound. “Although there’s a number of tracks, you can see how it would be easy to become lost," Securo was quoted by The Guardian as saying.

Australia

News world No Map, No Signal, No Help: How A German Backpacker Survived 12 Days Lost In Australian Bush