A German tourist missing for more than two weeks in the Australian Outback survived by eating flies after becoming lost and stranded by floodwaters.

Daniel Dudzisz was picked up by a motorist late yesterday near the township of Windorah in Queensland state, Police Inspector Mark Henderson told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

The 26-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic had last been seen on February 17 when he left Windorah to walk 77 kilometres (48 miles) north across rugged terrain to the settlement of Jundah.

Insp Henderson said Mr Dudzisz became stranded by floodwaters for about 10 days and lived on insects for most of the time he was lost.

He said Mr Dudzisz refused medical treatment at Windorah and was determined to continue his trek.