A German backpacker who spent almost two weeks lost in the West Australian outback battling freezing temperatures and heavy rain followed the direction of the setting sun in the hope it would lead her back to civilisation.

Carolina Wilga, 26, was miraculously found by a member of the public near Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, about 310km north-east of Perth, about 4.15pm on Friday — 12 days after she vanished in the state’s Wheatbelt region.

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

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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 Wilga had “some open travel plans” to explore parts of Western Australia when it appears she “somewhat lost control” of her van, rendering it “mechanically unsound” before it then bogged.

After spending one day with her vehicle, she panicked in fear no one would find her, so she set off on foot hoping she might come across someone with a vehicle or a road.

She then spent 11 nights in the wilderness with “minimal food and water”.

Wilga was last seen outside a general store in Beacon, more than 300km northeast of Perth, on 29 June, with her family overseas raising the alarm when they couldn’t get into contact with her.

Her black van was discovered on Thursday in a nature reserve 36km north of the town by police conducting an aerial search.

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

She spoke to Wilga this morning, who said she was very confused and disorientated during her time out in the bush.

“She is still in disbelief that she was able to survive,” Securo said.

“In her mind, she had convinced herself that she was not going to be located.

“Eleven days out there is significant. So I’m sure she got to a point where she thought, no one’s coming.”

Securo said when Wilga was discovered by the member of the public and first spoke to police she was “very traumatised” and “just overwhelmed to be able to have found someone that could help her”.

She said Wilga was doing “good” after spending the night in hospital.

“She’s very fatigued. She’s had a good night’s sleep, she’s had a shower. We’ve got her some food, which was a massive relief for her. So she’s just taking it one day at a time at the moment,” Securo said.

WA Police have been providing Wilga with emotional support as she comes to terms with what has happened.

Securo said the advice for anyone who becomes lost in the outback is to remain with their vehicle, as it is easier to find a vehicle during an aerial search.

Wilga’s ordeal should serve as a reminder of essential preparations travellers should undertake before journeying through remote parts of Western Australia.

“From speaking to her (Wilga), she, she has said, ‘you know, I could have planned better’,” Securo said.

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

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

Wilga is expected to remain in hospital again overnight as she continues to recover.

Securo said Wilga is in frequent communication with her family in Germany, and while there are no plans at this stage for her family to travel to Australia, WA Police will assist with facilitating arrangements should that change.

The backpacker told her she “loves Australia” and would love to complete her travel plans at some stage.

“She still has so much travel to do here. She hasn’t made it over to the east coast yet. So that’s still on her bucket list,” she said.

“So I think if she has the ability to stay, she definitely will.”

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW: Missing German backpacker found alive.

Securo thanked everyone who helped contribute to locating Wilga, including searchers, media, and the member of the public who helped her.

“The resources deployed and the community support was significant,” Securo said.

“We’re incredibly grateful that she’s been found safe and obviously this is a huge relief for her family and all of her loved ones.

“We never gave up hope that Carolina would be found safe and well, and this is truly the best outcome and best result we could have wished for.

“The support of our Western Australian community is our greatest asset, particularly in a state as vast as ours.

“The incredible result just reinforces how wonderful the WA community is.

“Carolina provides her thanks for the combined efforts of the Western Australian Police Force and the Western Australian community.

“Thank you.”