Quite a fascinating story, and I was absolutely amazed he was found alive.
Something the article doesn’t mention though, is the only way he could have been lost for so long is to not have a map and compass, GPS, or means of communication with him. Part of the reason I wasn’t expecting this to have a happy ending is it never really occurred to me that someone going into the bush alone wouldn’t have a PLB.
It does seem he was familiar with the area, as he basically walked around until he recognised something. Pretty nuts though, like you say, that’s a hell of an area to go into alone with no means of communication and no backup plan.