Claire Hockridge, her partner Tamra McBeath-Riley, and Phu Tran went missing last month after telling friends they were going for a drive south of the town of Alice Springs, where current daytime temperatures often exceed 40C.
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The body, which was found south of Alice Springs Wednesday, is believed to be that of Hockridge, 46, authorities said.
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Police said McBeath-Riley, 52, and Tran, 40, were located alive Sunday and Tuesday, respectively, after the group split up.
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In a news conference on Wednesday, Hockridge’s sister Sarah told reporters: “We are all grieving and exhausted from the emotional roller-coaster that we’ve ridden over the past one and a half weeks.” She confirmed that Hockridge and McBeath-Riley were partners.
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“We’ve been looked after by so many Alice Springs locals,” Sarah Hockridge added. “We’re really, really grateful to everyone who’s supported us through what has been a tremendously difficult, agonizing time.”
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The trio’s vehicle became stuck in the Hugh River on November 19.
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Police launched a search after they were reported missing on November 23.
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The group tried for three days to free their vehicle, McBeath-Riley said after being released from hospital Monday, CNN affiliate 9 News Australia reported.
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They survived on biscuits, beef noodles and a six pack of vodka until they ran out of supplies, McBeath-Riley told ABC.
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McBeath-Riley, who stayed by the group’s car, was located first through an aerial search.
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Police said she was found in good condition, having kept hydrated by boiling and drinking ground water found nearby.
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Tran and Hockridge left the vehicle to find help.
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Tran was found by a farmer about 160 kilometers southwest of Alice Springs, police said. Alice Springs police superintendent Pauline Vicary called his rescue a “miracle.”
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Shortly before finding the body, authorities had found footprints they believed belonged to Hockridge.