"Woman Survives 12 Days Lost in the Australian Outback – True Survival Story"

In July 2025, the vast and merciless Australian outback nearly claimed another life. Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old German backpacker, was driving through remote Western Australia when her vehicle crashed. She hit her head hard, became disoriented, and in a state of confusion, left her van barefoot and wandered into the wilderness of Karroun Hill Nature Reserve — over 740,000 acres of harsh bushland.

For 12 days (11 freezing nights), temperatures plunged, leaving her exposed to hypothermia, dehydration, and injury. She had minimal food or water, surviving on whatever scraps she could find and sheer willpower. Carolina later explained she got lost after the crash left her confused, and she tried to find help but ended up deeper in the bush. She endured dangerous terrain, isolation, and the constant fear she might never be found.

Miraculously, on the 12th day, a local farmer spotted her walking on the edge of the reserve, more than 30 km from her vehicle. She was injured, exhausted, but alive. Airlifted to Perth hospital, Carolina recovered and released a heartfelt statement: "I am simply beyond grateful to have survived... Thank you to my rescuer and angel, and to everyone who helped."

This real-life ordeal highlights the brutal reality of the outback — where staying with your vehicle is often the golden rule — but also the incredible human spirit that can endure freezing nights and endless isolation. Carolina's survival is a testament to hope in the face of despair.

ABC News (July 2025), BBC News, The Guardian, CBS News. Read more: BBC article