Lost in the Australian wilderness for 11 days: How a German backpacker survived the outback
Backpacker’s secret to surviving 11 nights lost in Australian outback
- Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old German backpacker, survived 11 nights lost in the remote Western Australian outback after her vehicle became bogged.
- She left her stranded Mitsubishi Delica to seek help, and focused on the one navigational guide she knew, walking west by following the sun.
- Despite facing cold nights and heavy rain, she was eventually spotted on a road by a local, leading to her rescue, which police described as an "incredible result" due to the challenging terrain.
- Ms Wilga was found exhausted, dehydrated, and disorientated, but is now recovering in hospital from minor injuries and has been in contact with her family in Germany.
- Authorities advise travellers in the vast and dangerous Australian wilderness to stay with their vehicles if stranded, use personal locator beacons, and share travel plans.