Lost down under: German tourists stranded in Australian wilderness due to Google Maps mishap.

A scenic road trip turned into a perilous ordeal for two German tourists, Philipp Maier and Marcel Schoene, as misleading directions from Google Maps led them deep into the Australian outback. The journey from Cairns to Bamaga took an unexpected turn, plunging the travelers into a remote dirt track that led to a closed national park, leaving them stranded miles away from civilization.

Unraveling the Journey: After driving 37 miles on the deserted track, Maier and Schoene found their vehicle stuck in mud, with no cellphone reception and limited supplies. Abandoning their car, the duo embarked on a challenging week-long hike through harsh weather conditions, including thunderstorms, extreme heat, and even an encounter with a crocodile-infested river.

Movie-Like Ordeal: Reflecting on their harrowing experience, Maier likened it to a "bad movie" with a fortunate ending. Attempts to build a shelter proved futile, leaving them exposed to the elements. Despite constant rainfall, they persevered, sleeping under the open sky until they managed to cover 60 kilometers on foot.

The Trek to Safety: The duo faced adversity, realizing the gravity of their situation. "We tried to build a shelter. But that didn't work really well. So we slept under the sky. It was raining the whole time, but it was okay," Maier shared. After a week-long journey, they finally reached the town of Coen, seeking assistance and putting an end to their wilderness ordeal.

Google Maps Under Scrutiny: This incident highlights yet another case of Google Maps misguiding users. The tech giant's navigation tool has faced scrutiny in the past for leading users astray. In a similar incident a few months ago, a group in California found themselves directed off the highway and into the desert by the app.

Company Response: A representative from Google expressed relief that the German tourists are safe and assured that an investigation is underway. This incident adds to the growing list of cases where reliance on digital navigation tools has resulted in unexpected and potentially dangerous situations.

Conclusion: The Australian wilderness adventure turned misadventure serves as a stark reminder of the limitations and occasional pitfalls of relying solely on navigation apps. As travelers increasingly depend on technology for guidance, incidents like these underscore the importance of exercising caution and being prepared for unexpected challenges when exploring unfamiliar territories.