German backpacker Carolina Wilga farewells Australia after 12 days lost in outback

German backpacker Carolina Wilga has given an update on her time in Australia, after she survived 12 days lost and alone in the outback.

German backpacker Carolina Wilga - whose disappearance sparked an enormous search-and-rescue operation in Western Australia - has returned home after her outback ordeal.

The 26-year-old survived 12 days lost and alone in remote bushland before being rescued on July 11.

She spent the next several days recovering in a Perth hospital, revealing she had lost 12kg during the ordeal.

Following her release from hospital, Ms Wilga has now returned to Germany, with local publication BILD reporting: “Carolina is home again!”

She reportedly touched down in Dusseldorf early Sunday afternoon and was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she was met by a nurse and a team of bodyguards.

Ms Wilga took to social media to bid a fond farewell to WA before her departure.

“Reunion with the ocean and a great goodbye to Perth with a loooots of hugs,” she wrote in the now-deleted social media post.

“Love you all.”

German backpacker Carolina Wilga has bid farewell to Australia in a social media post saying "a great goodbye to Perth". Picture: Instagram

She shared several pictures of herself with friends, her time in hospital, and the front page of a newspaper after her rescue.

Ms Wilga last posted on social media on Thursday last week, sharing a picture from her hospital bed surrounded by pastries, chips and other treats.

“When you need to gain the 12 kilograms back,” she captioned the post.

Caroline Wilga who spent nearly two weeks missing in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region. Picture: WA Police

Before her disappearance Ms Wilga was last seen on June 29 in the regional WA town of Beacon.

Her car was found stuck in soft sand, but authorities could not find any sign of the backpacker herself.

A massive search effort went into finding Ms Wilga until local Tania Henley found her walking along the road on July 11.

Ms Henley described the rescue as a “miracle”.

Ms Wilga’s car was found in dense bushland. Picture: WA Police

In a statement after her rescue, the backpacker explained she had got lost after losing control of her car and getting a knock to her head that left her confused.

“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,” Ms Wilga said in her statement.

Ms Wilga’s car at a petrol station. Picture: WA Police

The last picture of Ms Wilga before her dissapearance. Picture: WA Police

She said that the ordeal had made her feel deeply connected to the community that rescued her, despite it being so far from home.

“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. I am deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness, and warmth that has been shown to me here.

“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.”

Originally published as German backpacker Carolina Wilga farewells Australia after 12 days lost in outback