Carolina Wilga: German backpacker sells van more than five months after getting lost in WA outback

German backpacker Carolina Wilga is selling her van — claiming its “ready for its next adventure” — more than five months after it crashed and became bogged in WA’s Wheatbelt region.

The 26-year-old miraculously survived 11 nights alone in the remote outback after crashing her Mitsubishi Delica, hitting her head and wandering off in a state of confusion in July 2025.

She survived by drinking rainwater from puddles and sleeping in a cave before she was spotted by local farmer Tania French near Beacon.

The 1995 Delica — which has done 289,162km — is now being sold on Facebook marketplace in Perth, and has been listed for $5000 with claims “it needs some work”.

“Delica van is available for sale as is,” the listing reads.

“It needs some work, mainly an exhaust repair and some attention to the shocks and suspension components.

“Other work has already been carried out.”

The van is fitted with a built in bed, fridge, kitchen and solar panel “making it well set up for travel”.

Photographs inside the van show several wooden storage panels, shelves and a single-bed mattress.

“Other than that, it’s ready for its next adventure,” the listing reads.

Ms Wilga has since re-posted the listing to her private Instagram account.

The vehicle was removed by several local farmers in late July after learning the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions had been called in to retrieve the van.

Bonnie Rock farmer Andrew Sprigg said it took four days to retrieve the van because the surrounding bushland was so dense.

“I heard the DBCA were in charge with the recovery and I knew their resources would be stretched, so I contacted (a mate) in Merredin and we got approval to run a loader out there to clear the track,” he said.

“We thought we could do it with an old 4WD but (the bush) was too thick.

“There’s no track . . . the police damaged their vehicles extensively getting down the track as it was.”

In a statement released by police just days after she was found, Ms Wilga thanked the WA community for their dedicated search efforts.

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

“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.”

She said she wandered away from her vehicle after losing control and hitting her head.

“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.”

Ms Wilga spent four nights recovering in Fiona Stanley Hospital before being discharged on July 16.

She returned her family’s home town, Castrop-Rauxe, on July 20.