German backpacker Carolina Wilga, who was missing for 12 days in the Australian outback, has spoken publicly for the first time.

The 26-year-old spent almost two weeks lost in the West Australian outback, battling freezing temperatures and heavy rain.

She was found by a member of the public near Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, about 310km north-east of Perth, about 4.15pm on Friday.

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Wilga has now thanked the community “for all the incredible supports during the search for me”.

“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!” she said in a statement released on Monday.

Wilga said she hadn’t known where she belonged in “a culture on the other side of the world”, but now felt embraced by the people of WA, who had shown her what it meant 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,” she said.

The backpacker also revealed why she left her car — something many had questioned.

“Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there,” she said.

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

“As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost.”

Wilga said she owes her survival to the outpouring of support.

“I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support,” she said in the statement.

“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 thanked WA Police, searchers, medical staff, the German Consulate, and every person who thought of her — especially her rescuer, Tania.

“Especially to the police investigators, searchers, the German Consulate, the medical staff and the wonderful nurses who took care of me with so much compassion.

“My deepest thanks also go to every single person who simply thought of me — and of course, to my rescuer and angel, Tania!”

Wilga ended her statement with a simple but powerful message: “I am simply beyond grateful to have survived.”

“Thank you, Australia — you are amazing,” she concluded.

Wilga had been backpacking around Australia before she vanished in WA’s Wheatbelt region on June 29.

A frantic search was launched after her family and friends raised the alarm when they were unable to contact her.

Her black van was found abandoned on Thursday in a nature reserve, about 36km north of Beacon, during an aerial search by police.

She was eventually found about 4.15pm on Friday, when Wheatbelt local Tania French spotted her waving for help.

She was flown to Royal Perth Hospital in a stable condition, suffering from some injuries and ravaged by mosquitos.

The German had spent 11 nights in the wilderness with “minimal food and water”.

Giving an update on Saturday about Wilga’s incredible tale of survival, Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo said it was the “best result” WA Police “could have hoped for”.

Securo said it was “sheer luck” Wilga managed to stumble across the closest road, 24km west from where she abandoned her van.

Wilga’s ordeal should serve as a reminder of essential preparations travellers should undertake before journeying through remote parts of WA, Securo said.

“We always come back to if people are in this area planning is essential,” she said.

“Make sure you’ve got enough food, enough water, know where you’re going, know the road conditions and the weather conditions.”