Dad And Sons Found In Outback After Days

A father and his two young sons have been found in the Australian Outback after spending days stuck in a bog.

A cattle farmer found Steven Van Lonkhuyzen, 37, and his sons Ethan, 7, and Timothy, 5, in Expedition National Park in central Queensland.

A police spokesperson said the trio, who were missing for 10 days, were "very hungry" but in "good spirits".

"We are all very thankful that we have a happy outcome," said Acting Superintendent Mick Bianchi.

The trio had left their home at Lota in Brisbane after midnight on 11 December, heading to Cairns, about 1,060 miles (1,700km) away.

Mr Van Lonkhuyzen contacted his wife from an Outback town later that day, but she heard nothing from them after that.

They were last seen at a petrol station, also on 11 December, in Miles, northwest of Brisbane.

They were meant to reach Cairns on December 15, but were reported missing when they did not reach their destination.

Police carried out extensive searches over several days and pleaded with the public to help.

Earlier Sunday, shortly before they were found, Acting Supt Bianchi said: "The search areas is several hundred thousand square kilometres in size and police can't do this alone."

The farmer had actually seen Mr Van Lonkhuyzen's vehicle enter the national park a few days earlier, but was not aware they were in trouble.

He only realised they were missing after seeing news reports, police said.

The farmer has since taken the family back to his house where they are recovering.

Mr Van Lonkhuyzen and his boys had become stranded after their four-wheel drive vehicle got stuck in a bog in the rugged and remote park, about 300km from where the petrol station they were seen at.

The national park is largely without mobile phone coverage.

Acting Supt Bianchi praised the public for helping look for the Van Lonkhuyzens.

"People from across rural Queensland have taken this story to heart and have helped police in many different ways in our search," he said.

"We’ve had farmers and graziers searching their properties, local store owners checking to see if they had passed by or dropped in, mining companies and mustering helicopters checking lands, as well as park rangers searching parks and camp sites.

"The response has been outstanding and I thank the community, and the media, for their efforts and support."