Carolina Wilga survived 12 days in the Australian outback. She just told us how.

The last time anyone saw Carolina Wilga, she was standing in the doorway of a general store in the tiny town of Beacon, in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region.

It was June 29, and the 26-year-old German backpacker was more than 300 kilometres from Perth, alone, travelling in a Mitsubishi van, chasing the dusty promise of an Australian adventure.

But the rain had other plans, and her van became bogged down in the mud, riddled with mechanical failures.

Carolina tried to free it, but the mud was too heavy. So she made a decision.

She left the van behind and started walking.

Then, she vanished.

A desperate air and land search was launched for the missing backpacker, and homicide detectives were even called in to help scour one of Australia's most unforgiving environments.

Now, Carolina has spoken about her 12 days in the outback, detailing exactly what happened.

"Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there," she said in a statement.

"The answer is: I lost control of the car and rolled down a slope. In the crash, I hit my head significantly."

Dazed and confused, she got out of her car and did the one thing everyone is terrified of in the bush: she got lost.

Carolina's van became bogged down in the mud. Image: WA Police

Carolina's mother issued pleas for help after she hadn't heard from her daughter.

Search crews moved through the challenging terrain, scouring the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve to find the backpacker.

Alone, Carolina kept walking, hoping someone would find her.

For 11 days, she survived. Then, on the 12th day, she saw a glimmer of hope.

A motorist was passing by, and Carolina used the last of her strength to wave them down. The backpacker was dehydrated, exhausted, and covered in mosquito bites.

Watch: German backpacker Carolina Wilga found alive after 12 days in WA bushland. Post continues after video.

The passerby stopped, and called authorities for help. Carolina was saved, 20 kilometres away from the nearest walking track, and sent straight to hospital for medical attention.

Carolina said she was eternally grateful for the outpouring of support as the community tried desperately to find her.

"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. 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."

Carolina expressed her deepest thanks to the Australian community. Image: Facebook/carolinawilga.

It's this sense of humanity that she credits for her survival.

"I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support," Carolina said.

"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."

She expressed her deepest thanks to everyone who thought of her, contributed to search efforts and of course, her "rescuer and angel, Tania".

"I am simply beyond grateful to have survived," Carolina said. "Thank you, Australia — you are amazing."

Carolina in hospital after she was found. Image: Facebook/WA Police.

How did Carolina survive the Australian outback?

Police said Carolina was able to live on the minimal food she had, drinking water from rain and puddles to sustain her. At night when the temperatures would drop, she sought out shelter, even sleeping in a cave.

During her 12 days in the wilderness, she'd walked a total of 24 kilometres.

"As you can imagine from the trauma she's suffered for the last few days, she's obviously been through a great deal," WA Police Inspector Martin Glynn told the media after she was discovered.

"No doubt, [it] will be a testament to demonstrating her bravery in these circumstances."

Carolina was distressed and hungry, but, "overall, just relieved that she had come across someone and was able to get that help," WA Police Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo later told Weekend Today.

It was "extremely lucky" that the motorist was passing by, said Securo.

"The outback can be made of many terrains which can be quite challenging, so often if you are out there, you may think, 'Oh, I'm never going to come across someone who may help me'."

"We're extremely grateful to that member of the community who helped us."

That member of the community was long-time local farmer Tania Henley.

Speaking to ABC News, Tania recalled the moment she saw Carolina wave her down.

"There is nobody who comes up my way walking around," she said.

Immediately, Tania knew it was Carolina.

"She was very relieved," she said.

"Everything in this bush is very prickly. I just can't believe that she survived. She had no shoes on, she'd wrapped her foot up.

"She's a very resilient person."

Carolina was found after 12 days. Image: Facebook

Securo also issued a warning for those who end up in a similar situation.

"Our advice would be, if you do come to be in one of those positions, stay with your vehicle. Our searchers are able to find a vehicle far easier than finding a person."

The wilderness tested Carolina beyond what many could endure, and she has since contacted her family.

"She is in touch with her family," Securo said. "We'll let things settle for a little while and then she'll reassess from there.'"

The state's premier, Roger Cook, called her survival, "nothing short of remarkable."

"We can all breathe a little easier knowing Carolina is safe and well," he posted.

Feature Image: Facebook/WA Police.