13-year-old Logan Good safe after night lost in Mt Remarkable National Park

The young boy who went missing near Mt Remarkable has revealed what happened during his lonely night lost a very long way from home.

Mum Hayley Good and partner Brendan Jones, and their dog Sootie, were overjoyed to be reunited with Logan Good, 13, this morning. Picture Dean Martin

A teenager who was missing overnight in Mount Remarkable National Park says worrying about his mum helped him stay calm before being found this afternoon.

Logan Good, 13, used his knowledge of hiking to stay safe and slept on a bed of rocks in the cold before tracking down help.

“I was thinking about what would happen (with my family),” he said after reuniting with his mum, Hayley Good, 38.

The teenager, from Orange in NSW, was hiking with his mum, her partner Brendan Jones, 34, his grandmother, siblings and friends when he wandered off from the group on Wednesday afternoon.

After a chilly night at a park campground, where he used a rock for a pillow, Logan walked 6km yesterday morning in search of help.

He stumbled across Alligator Lodge, a secluded holiday home in the northern corner of the park, where he knocked on the door and asked to use a phone.

A map showing Mt Remarkable National Park, about 230km north of Adelaide. Picture: Google Maps

“He’s done an absolutely huge hike, we can’t believe he’s done it,” said Ms Good, who was “overwhelmed with joy” after reuniting with her son.

“We are all very proud of him. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody, to have him back in my arms, he won’t be going anywhere for a while.”

Logan’s family – who are keen hikers – are in South Australia visiting Logan’s grandmother, uncle and aunt.

They were on a hike through the park when the teenager became lost after walking ahead of his family and friends, who had stopped to take photos and look after younger children after they fell over.

Ms Good said her “first instinct” was to keep walking and catch up to Logan.

“Then we got to the car park and he wasn’t there,” she said.

“I was scared as soon as he wasn’t in the carpark.”

Logan and Hayley Good thank the searchers. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Jones retraced the family’s footsteps and, when he couldn’t find Logan, called the police.

They mounted an overnight search with support from the CFS, SES and National Park staff.

Ms Good spent a nervous night waiting for news. Her family dog, Sootie, refused to eat or sleep with worry.

Meanwhile, Logan had realised he had taken a wrong turn when he couldn’t find the carpark.

Logan and Hayley Good shortly after their reunion this afternoon. Picture: Dean Martin

Alexis Luke said Logan knocked his door asking for a phone and water. Picture: Dean Martin

Alligator Gorge in the Mt Remarkable National Park. Picture: Amanda Woon

He tried to find his way back before following signs to Kingfisher campground, where he hoped to find help.

But he decided to stop moving when he saw the moon come up.

“I went down a rocky path, then I stopped because it was getting a bit dark,” he said. “I walked back to a place where I could fill up my drink bottle and stayed there the night.

“I had my whole body on pebbles and I found a rock to put my head against.”

Yesterday, he walked another 6km before finding Alligator Lodge about midday and knocking on the door.

Alexis Luke, who was staying at the lodge, said he knew exactly who Logan was when he opened the door.

“It must be such a relief for the family,” he said.

UPDATE: Logan Good has been found and is being checked by paramedics to make sure he’s fit and well after last night’s ordeal @theTiser pic.twitter.com/ctJu5fsdDY

— Patrick James (@PatJamesTiser) January 7, 2021