Five years ago, Stephanie Browitt’s world was turned upside down in a matter of seconds.
What started as a dream family vacation to New Zealand’s White Island ended in unimaginable tragedy.
Today, Stephanie continues to push forward—one therapy session, one skincare routine, one powerful act of resilience at a time.
In a recent TikTok video, the 29-year-old from Melbourne offered her followers a personal glimpse into her day-to-day life as she continues to recover from injuries that changed her body forever and claimed the lives of her father and sister.
Coping with the Physical Wounds
Stephanie suffered third-degree burns over 70% of her body in the 2019 volcanic eruption.
She was placed in a coma for two weeks and later had to undergo the amputation of eight fingers.
Despite these physical challenges, she hasn’t stopped fighting to regain control over her life.
She still attends weekly occupational therapy sessions to maintain the functionality of her hands.
“Even now, it’s helping,” she said.
“It keeps my hands from regressing. As long as I see improvement, I’ll keep going.”
In her video, a therapist is shown gently massaging her hands—what remains of them—with warm wax, a key part of her therapy.
Fitness, Skincare, and a Fierce Routine
Stephanie doesn’t stop at therapy. She also commits to weekly physiotherapy to strengthen her muscles and stay active.
“Whatever I learn in physio, I take to the gym with me,” she explained.
“Keeping up with it helps my body—and my skin—feel better.”
Skincare has become a major part of Stephanie’s self-care ritual.
She deeply moisturizes her body every morning and night, adding body oil to ensure her healing skin stays nourished.
Her facial routine includes a serum to combat redness and discoloration, followed by moisturizer and sunscreen.
“My skin deserves extra love,” she shared.
Removing the Mask and Embracing the Mirror
In 2022, Stephanie took a major step in her healing journey—she removed her face compression bandage publicly for the first time during an interview with 60 Minutes Australia.
Looking into the mirror, she didn’t just see scars—she saw strength.
“I see someone who’s been through more than I ever thought possible.
I never imagined I had this in me. But I do. I fought every day to survive—and now I’m fighting to live.”
A Family Torn Apart in Seconds
Back in December 2019, Stephanie was on a cruise aboard the Ovation of the Seas with her family when they decided to join an excursion to the White Island volcano.
Her mother Marie stayed on the ship while Stephanie, her sister Krystal, and their father Paul went ashore.
Just as they were about to leave the crater, black smoke erupted from its center.
“The guide screamed ‘Run!’ and we just bolted,” Stephanie recalled.
“You could hear the rocks falling and people screaming. I thought I was going to die.”
Stephanie and her father were trapped on the island for hours before rescue teams arrived.
Krystal didn’t survive the blast and was only recovered days later.
Their father Paul died a month after being hospitalized.
Remembering the Pain—and Those She Lost
Though she’s come a long way physically, Stephanie admits the emotional scars are far harder to heal.
“I still wish that day never happened. I wish my sister and dad were still here,” she said.
“There are nights I can’t sleep… nights filled with nightmares. The pain is still very real.”
The most heartbreaking part of her recovery has been learning to live without the people she loved most.
“I hope they can see me now. I hope they’re proud.”
A Mother’s Strength Behind the Scenes
Stephanie credits her survival and recovery to her mother, Marie.
“From day one, she never left my side,” she said.
“Even though she carries her own invisible scars, she’s always made me her priority.”
Stephanie often reflects on how grateful she is that her mother didn’t lose everyone that day.
“While my scars are visible, hers are hidden—but just as deep.”
The Day That Changed Everything
On December 9, 2019, White Island erupted just after 2pm, sending a massive plume of ash, steam, and gas 3,600 meters into the sky.
The eruption was the deadliest volcanic disaster in New Zealand since 1886, killing 22 people and injuring 25 more.
Most of the victims were tourists, many of them Australians.
Stephanie was one of 47 visitors on the island at the time.
As news broke, families in Australia and New Zealand clung to hope, using Red Cross sites to report loved ones missing as the death toll mounted.
Stephanie Becomes a Voice for Survivors
Since the eruption, Stephanie has found strength in advocacy.
She now shares her journey as a burns survivor with over 1.8 million TikTok followers and more than 200,000 on Instagram.
Through her platforms, she spreads awareness about recovery, therapy, and the real, everyday challenges burn survivors face.
Her story resonates deeply—not just because of the physical pain—but because of the unbreakable human spirit behind it.
The Legacy of the White Island Tragedy
What was once a booming tourist destination generating millions of dollars a year now lies silent, covered in ash.
The White Island tragedy is a haunting reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the fragile line between adventure and disaster.
Stephanie’s story is one of the many that emerged from that catastrophic day—but her determination, vulnerability, and strength continue to inspire thousands.