MELBOURNE, Australia - German tourist Carolina Wilga was located alive in Australia's remote Outback on Friday, following a search that lasted 12 days after she went missing. The announcement came a day after her abandoned van was discovered, according to police reports.
Wilga, a 26-year-old backpacker, was last seen and heard from by her family and friends on June 29, 2025. She was spotted at a general store in the wheat farming town of Beacon, which is situated 320 kilometers (200 miles) northeast of Perth, the capital of Western Australia. The population of Beacon was recorded at just 123 during the 2021 census.
A member of the public found Wilga wandering along a forest trail late Friday, as confirmed by Western Australia Police Force Insp. Martin Glynn. She was described as being in a "fragile" state but fortunately did not suffer any serious injuries. Wilga was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Perth for medical treatment.
Insp. Glynn expressed optimism, suggesting that once Wilga shares her story, it is likely to be quite remarkable. He emphasized the relief it brought to her family and those involved in the extensive search operations, noting, "You know, she’s obviously coped in some amazing conditions." He highlighted the challenges of surviving in the harsh environment of the Outback.
The area where Wilga was lost, the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, spans over 300,000 hectares (740,000 acres). The overnight temperatures during the search were plummeting to around 2.6 degrees Celsius (36.7 Fahrenheit), with no rain reported in the region. The police helicopter crew initially spotted her van on Thursday in a remote wilderness area, approximately 36 kilometers (22 miles) north of Beacon.
Insp. Glynn commented on the challenging terrain, describing it as “very difficult country” and a “huge area,” adding that it was a miracle they had actually spotted the vehicle. Ground searchers conducted a detailed search on Friday within a heavily wooded radius of 300 meters (1,000 feet) around the van. Police believe that Wilga’s van, a 1995 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon, likely became stuck in mud on the same day she left Beacon.
The van was equipped with solar panels and had reserves of drinking water. It also featured recovery boards placed under its rear wheels, designed to enhance traction when vehicles become bogged down. Authorities indicated they believe Wilga had not fallen victim to any criminal act, but instead became lost in the vast wilderness.
This incident brings to mind the notorious case of Australian serial killer Ivan Milat, who was convicted of kidnapping and murdering seven backpackers between 1989 and 1992, including three Germans. Milat passed away in prison in 2019. Authorities were quick to reassure the public that Wilga’s situation involved no criminal elements, creating a distinction from the historical context surrounding backpacker safety in Australia.
