The loss of 26-year-old German backpacker Carolina Wilga has left her family, the police, and the local community very worried. Wilga was last seen in the remote and rough parts of Western Australia in late June 2025, when her car broke down. Because of this terrible situation, there is an ongoing, intensive search, and officials are working around the clock to find her. Let’s go over everything we know about Wilga’s disappearance, where she went, the search efforts, and the rough terrain that is making it hard to find her.
Who is Carolina Wilga?
Carolina Wilga is a 26-year-old backpacker from Germany who has been travelling around Australia for the past two years. She worked at regional mines in Australia to pay for her stay. Wilga has mostly lived in Western Australia, where she has worked at hostels in Perth.
Wilga is said to be slim, have long, wavy brown hair, brown eyes, and several tattoos, one of which shows symbols on her left forearm.
Last Known Movements
- Wilga last appeared on June 28, 2025, when she left the backpackers’ hostel in Fremantle. She called a friend and told them she was going to travel north-east from Perth.
- Wilga stopped at a gas station in Toodyay, a small town north-east of Perth, around 4:30 PM on the same day. She went to Dowerin, a little more than 70 km away, and then the next day she went to Beacon, which is another 150 km away.
- Wilga was caught on CCTV at a Beacon general store on June 29 at about 12:10 PM. She looked around and left the store after a few minutes. This was the last time she talked to her friends that we know of.
Finding Wilga’s Van
The police found Wilga’s Mitsubishi Delica van in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve on July 3, 2025. It was 100 kilometres north-east of Beacon and about 400 kilometres from Perth.
- Mechanical Problems: The van seemed to have gotten stuck in soft mud, and Wilga tried to get it out with Maxtrax (recovery boards) and pieces of wood. She tried, but she couldn’t get the car out, so she left it in the middle of nowhere.The area where Wilga’s van was found is described as a harsh part of the country with lots of rocky outcroppings and thick bushland. The land was easy for someone who wasn’t used to it to get lost or confused.
- The Search for Carolina Wilga: The police utilise helicopters, drones, and planes to help with the search from the air and on the ground. Ground patrols and forensic teams are also looking into the car and any clues that might help them find Wilga.
- Difficult Terrain: The search is harder because of the rough terrain, which has big rocky outcrops and thick bushland that make it hard to follow Wilga’s movements.
- Search Radius: A “reflex search” was carried out in a 300-meter radius within the car. Police are also using volunteers to help with more ground searches.
No Evidence of Wrongdoing: The WA Police have said that there is no evidence of wrongdoing at this time. There is no sign that anyone else took part in the investigation, which is still a missing persons case.
Wilga’s Van – A Vehicle That Can Stand on Its Own
- Van that can take care of itself: Wilga’s van had solar panels and water, so it could travel on its own. The car was, however, broken down when it was found.
- What Wilga Took: The police are trying to figure out what, if something, Wilga may have utilised with her when she departed the van. The hope is that this information could help the search and give hints about where she might be.
What the Community and Family Did
- Family’s Plea: Wilga’s family, especially her mother, is heartbroken that she is missing. Her mother made a heartbreaking appeal on social media, asking anyone who knew anything to come forward.
- Community Support: The people in Beacon and the surrounding towns are very worried about Wilga’s disappearance. A lot of people in the area have said they hope she comes home safely, even though they know how hard it is to get around.
- Beacon’s Isolation: Beacon is a small town in the country with only 123 people living there. It is a service centre for the farms around it and is known for being isolated, with nighttime temperatures dropping to as low as 2°C.
The Search Conditions and Problems
- Weather Conditions: The search has been slowed down by the cold weather, which caused the temperatures in the area to drop overnight. Authorities have kept working, though, and search teams have been working all weekend.
- Inexperienced Terrain: Wilga’s van was found in a very difficult area, and even locals who have lived there for a long time can easily get lost. People who live there have said that it’s easy to get lost if you don’t know the area properly, particularly since rain has washed away some of the tracks.
- Support for the Search: People in the community and volunteers have said they support the search, and some have provided to help with tracking and contributing their understanding of the area.
What’s the Next Step in the Search?
- Continued Aerial Search: Aerial support will continue to be an important tool for finding Wilga because the terrain is so large that ground searches take a lot longer.
- Foot Patrols:Police have been walking around looking for any tracks or evidence that could help them find her.
- Public Appeal: Officials are asking anyone who has information that could help, especially people who may have been in the area or have video footage, to come forward. They are especially interested in drone or dash-cam footage from the Beacon and nearby areas.
In conclusion
Authorities are using every resource they have to find the missing German backpacker Carolina Wilga in the distant outback of Western Australia. The police are still having a hard time with the case because of the rough terrain, the cold weather, and the lack of new leads. But there is still hope that Wilga will be found safe and brought home to her family with the help of the community and the search efforts that are still going on.
Key Takeaways
- Important Points: Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old German backpacker, has been missing in Western Australia since June 29, 2025.
- Van Found: Wilga’s van, which had been left behind, was found in Karroun Hill, which is 100 km north-east of Beacon and 400 km from Perth.
- Search Efforts: Forensic teams, aerial support, and ground patrols are all part of the search. The police don’t think foul play was involved, but they are still looking into it.
- Difficult Terrain: The terrain is hard, which makes it easy to lose your way.
- Support from the Community: Wilga’s family and friends are particularly concerned and will assist with the search.
