A Mandurah mother has thanked the police for their help after she and her two young sons became lost in bushland near Donnybrook.
Janaya Brooking and her three and five-year-old sons planned to go on a short walk from their campsite on Saturday afternoon when they lost their bearings.
"I took one wrong turn and ended up about 20km out," she told Nine News.
Ms Brooking's father became concerned when they did not return and started looking for the trio.
He then called the police about 6pm after failing to find them.
Ms Brooking and her children spent around 12 hours lost in the bush with only some juice.
"We weren't planning on going far so we didn't bring any snacks or anything," she said.
They were eventually found by police around 1am on Sunday suffering fatigue and dehydration.
“I really appreciate every single police officer who was out there last night looking,” she told Seven News.
A WA Police Force spokesman said this incident highlighted the importance of carrying extra supplies of water and safety gear even when only planning on going for a short walk in bushland.
“In this situation a Personal Locator Beacon could have been used to alert authorities to the fact the woman and children were in danger. The beacon would not only alert authorities to the situation, but provide the exact coordinates of where the missing stranded people are– which means the time taken to rescue them is a lot less," the spokesman said.
Pop-up ice skating rink glides back into Mandurah for winter school holidays
Federal opposition leader Angus Taylor sits down with local business owners in Mandurah
Police search for missing man last seen leaving Rockingham Hospital
West Aussies urged to be on high alert after surge in winter house fires
New $3.4 million boardwalk to be constructed at Lake Clifton thrombolites
City of Mandurah rolls out new tactile bin lids, accessibility stickers to support residents with low vision
Driver dies in hospital after Australind crash
Welfare concerns for woman with dementia last seen in Cooloongup
Charges laid over fatal West Coolup crash