Aussie man survives 49 days at sea in a dugout canoe
He's known as "Outback Mike", but 44-year-old Michael Atkinson has just completed a miraculous adventure that's far more salty than sandy.
The former ADF member has sailed from Townsville to Cape York in a hand-carved wooden canoe, surviving at sea for 49 days.
Over approximately 1500 kilometres – much of it through croc-infested waters – Mr Atkinson survived off fishing and living off the land.
READ MORE: Missing toddler AJ found alive on day four of search
He's known as "Outback Mike", but 44-year-old Michael Atkinson has just completed a miraculous adventure that's far more salty than sandy. Nine/Supplied
It took 12 months for him to build the five-metre dugout canoe, shaped from a four-tonne Norfolk pine log in his own backyard.
He finally finished his journey in late August, and now plans to "stuff himself stupid" with food.
"The fishing was rubbish until I got past Port Douglas and then I started to catch some decent size fish, talk about being emotional - I was literally crying with happiness," Mr Atkinson said in one video of the trip.
READ MORE: State's hard border could stay until 2022
He believes the desire to eat, which drove him through his 50-day journey – will likely stay with him for years.
His journey was inspired by early Australian settler James Morrill, who survived a 42-day sea voyage off the Queensland Coast in 1846.
Unlike Mr Atkinson's happy ending, only seven people of Morrill's 21-strong party survived the journey.
Mr Atkinson now plans to turn his trip into a documentary.
His journey was inspired by early Australian settler James Morrill, who survived a 42-day sea voyage off the Queensland Coast in 1846. Nine / Supplied
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
