German Backpacker Survives 11 Nights Lost in Australia's Outback

Mon Oct 20 2025 09:54:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old backpacker, was rescued after enduring nearly two weeks alone in the harsh Australian wilderness.

After surviving 11 nights in the outback by drinking rainwater and foraging for food, Carolina Wilga was rescued in a weakened state. Authorities praised her resilience and highlighted the critical role of a Good Samaritan in her discovery.

In a remarkable tale of survival, Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old backpacker from Germany, was found after spending 11 harrowing nights lost in the desolate outback of Western Australia. Authorities reported that she managed to stay alive by consuming scant food supplies and drinking water collected from puddles, while sleeping in a cave for protection.

Wilga's ordeal began when her van became stuck in remote bushland, prompting her to wander approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) away from the vehicle. Confused and disoriented, she believed she might never be found, according to police. The family of Wilga expressed their deep relief and gratitude upon learning of her recovery.

The police described the rescue as a stroke of luck; acting police inspector Jessica Securo recounted how Wilga was spotted by a motorist, Tania Henley, who noticed her waving for help from the side of the road. Henley described Wilga as appearing fragile, having wrapped her injured foot with makeshift materials and without shoes on her feet.

Prior to her rescue, Wilga was last seen at a store in Beacon, Western Australia, on June 29, with her abandoned van discovered just the day before by search teams. The vehicle was determined to be in a state of disrepair, having become bogged down in the bush. Following her dramatic rescue, Wilga is said to have had a restful night in the hospital and is now taking her recovery one day at a time.