Backpacker breaks silence on 12 days lost in WA outback

Perth Now

14-07-2025

Carolina Wilga drunk from puddles and slept in a cave.
German backpacker Carolina Wilga has broken her silence on her 12-day ordeal lost in the WA outback, revealing she lost control of her van before hitting her head and wandering off if in a 'state of confusion'.
The 26-year-old issued a statement on Monday as she recovers in Fiona Stanley Hospital after miraculously surviving almost two weeks alone in WA's Wheatbelt.
Ms Wilga said: 'First and foremost, I want to express a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart – a thank you that truly comes from the depth of my soul! For all the incredible supports during the search for me.'
'Previously, I didn't know where my place was in a culture on the other side of the world to my own, but now, I feel a part of it,' she said.
'I am deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness, and warmth that has been shown to me here. Carolina Wilga recovering in hospitial. Picture WA Police Credit: WA POLICE
'Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community. Here, humanity, solidarity, and care for one another are what truly matter – and in the end, that's what counts most.
'I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support.
'The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments. For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Especially to the police investigators, searchers, the German Consulate, the medical staff and the wonderful nurses who took care of me with so much compassion. My deepest thanks also go to every single person who simply thought of me – and of course, to my rescuer and angel, Tania!'
Ms Wilga, for the first time, told how her van came to rest in the bizarre condition it did — and why she left the vehicle.
'Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there,' she said.
'The answer is: I lost control of the car and rolled down a slope. In the crash, I hit my head significantly. As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost.
'I am simply beyond grateful to have survived.
'Thank you Australia – you are amazing.'
Police said Ms Wilga had become 'lost and disoriented' while exploring the Karroun Hill nature reserve in her Mitsubishi Delica and becoming bogged.
After spending just one day with her van — which had become 'mechanically unsound' about 36km from any track — Ms Wilga embarked on a journey to find help.
Ms Wilga spent 11 nights on foot and survived by drinking water from puddles, sleeping in a cave and eating minimal food she had taken from her van.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Cook commended Ms Wilga for her bravery and said he believed she would spend another few nights in hospital.
'She remains in hospital at Fiona Stanley, she will be there for a few more nights, but I think her condition continues to improve,' he said.
'We know that Carolina is a very brave woman who's had a remarkable escape from a very difficult situation stuck in the Outback for a number of days.' Carolina Wilga after being found my a local in the area. Credit: 7NEWS
Mr Cook urged other tourists to come prepared and educate themselves on WA's harsh climate.
'It is important that anyone visiting Western Australia, particularly if they're undertaking adventure travel, understand that it is a dangerous place in relation to the environment, scale and size of this place (and) how difficult that environment can be, both in terms of winter and summer,' he said.
'We need everyone to do the right thing when they come to WA to enjoy it.
'It's an incredible part of the world, it's a breathtakingly beautiful part of the world, but it can also be dangerous if you don't take the right preparations.'
Ms Wilga was found 24km west of her abandoned van after frantically waving down Tania French, a long-time Wheatbelt resident, as she was driving on Mouroubra Road around Bimbijy on Friday afternoon.
Ravaged by mosquitoes, dehydrated and hungry with cuts and bruises, she was taken under the arm of police before being airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital for medical treatment.
A widespread search for Ms Wilga intensified after the backpackers' friends hadn't heard from her since June 29 — the same day she was last captured on CCTV driving through Beacon, about 330km north-east of Perth.
Ms Wilga has been backpacking around Australia for the past two years.