Edith Falls.
POLICE have found a French tourist alive and well after she went missing at Edith Falls, 60 kilometres north of Katherine yesterday.
The woman, in her mid-fifties was part of a small organised tour group, which she became separated from yesterday afternoon.
Sergeant Ian Kennon said she was found on the walking track at about 9.30 this morning.
"When it got dark she sat down and waited," he said.
"She certainly did the right thing just sitting down and staying put."
Sgt Kennon said he understood the woman had been travelling by herself, as part of a broader tour group.
“She was last seen by her group touring Edith Falls at about 1.30pm yesterday, and she was spotted by a second party at about 3pm, so obviously she went missing after that,” he said.
An organised search party had failed to locate the woman before nightfall last night.
“Last night she kept walking along the track until it was dark, and then she sat herself down. Fortunately it was not too cold and she was not suffering from exposure.”
The search was resumed early this morning, with a group of Katherine police, Nitmiluk National Park rangers and a tactical response team from Darwin scouring the area.
Sgt Kennon urged all people on tours in wilderness areas to remain with their guide and never explore alone.
“We urge people on their tours to remain with their groups, because tour guides are the most skilled people to keep everyone safe and together.”