Kylie Bretag, right, with friend Natalie Wayt.
A Melbourne woman has been detained in Mexico for almost a week after she was locked up for travelling without a visa.
Friends and family have demanded the release of Kylie Bretag, who was celebrating her 30th birthday with a month-long trip overseas when things went horribly wrong.
Following the advice of a number of travel blogs, Ms Bretag tried to save money by crossing the border into Mexico on foot from California. The border crossing is popular with Americans visiting Mexico for the day.
Kylie Bretag on a street in Mexico. Kylie Bretag on a street in Mexico.
She has told her family Mexican officials never stamped her passport, despite her repeated requests.