Forgotten Australia

Forgotten Australia Podcast

Forgotten Australia is an independent historical podcast that investigates the obscure, dark, and frequently overlooked narratives of the Australian past. Produced and hosted by Michael Adams—a Sydney-based journalist and author of non-fiction works including *The Murder Squad* and *Hanging Ned Kelly*—the program explores a diverse array of subjects ranging from colonial-era crimes and unsolved mysteries to eccentric biographical sketches and major social upheavals.

Launched in late 2018, the series distinguishes itself through a rigorous, research-intensive methodology. Adams primarily utilizes the National Library of Australia’s Trove database to access digitized newspapers, alongside police records, government archives, and primary source documents. This archival approach allows the show to reconstruct historical events with a high degree of granularity, often highlighting the experiences of ordinary citizens or marginalized figures whose stories have faded from public consciousness.

The podcast frequently employs a multi-part miniseries format to provide comprehensive coverage of complex historical cases. Recent investigations have delved into the 1926 "Blue Murder On The Golden Mile" in Western Australia and the personal genealogical mysteries explored in the "Death-Defying Destiny Deciders" series. Other recurring themes include the impact of the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, the evolution of the criminal justice system, and the lives of forgotten cultural icons.

Adams maintains an objective and narrative-driven tone, focusing on factual accuracy and primary evidence rather than dramatized speculation. The production typically features solo narration supplemented by period-accurate accounts and thematic sound design to immerse the listener in specific historical eras. By focusing on events and personalities that exist outside standard historical curricula, Forgotten Australia provides a detailed counter-history that challenges and expands the broader understanding of the continent's social and legal development. The program is hosted on Acast and is accessible across major podcast platforms, with additional content and early access available to supporters via Patreon and Apple Podcasts.

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Episode's summary

The investigation into the mystery of Minnie introduces a hard-charging cop and a spiritually minded scribe. Our quest for answers takes us from northern NSW to the mean streets of Sydney and the shores of Gallipoli. Check out my other podcast – Australian Murder – where we ‘Do the crime and do the time’. Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Forgotten Australia and Australian Murder are created and hosted by Michael Adams, author of the acclaimed true crime books The Murder Squad, Hanging Ned Kelly and They'll Never Hold Me. He’s also a regular history commentator on ABC Nightlife and the podcast Australian True Crime. Those books are available here: They’ll Never Hold Me: https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html The Murder Squad: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html Hanging…

Episodes

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The Guyra Ghost – Part Two: Portal for a Poltergeist?

The investigation into the mystery of Minnie introduces a hard-charging cop and a spiritually minded scribe. Our quest for answers takes us from northern NSW to the mean streets of Sydney and the shores of Gallipoli. Check out my other podcast – Australian Murder – where we ‘Do the crime and do the time’. Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Forgotten Australia and Australian Murder are created and hosted by Michael Adams, author of the acclaimed true crime books The Murder Squad, Hanging Ned Kelly and They'll Never Hold Me. He’s also a regular history commentator on ABC Nightlife and the podcast Australian True Crime. Those books are available here: They’ll Never Hold Me: https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html The Murder Squad: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html Hanging…

29 Oct 2026
436-

The Guyra Ghost – Part One: Things That Go Bump in the Night

Halloween Special! Just over 100 years ago, Australia was spooked by strange happenings at a farmhouse in northern NSW. Showers of stones! Bumps in the night! Night after night! All centred on a little girl named Minnie. Was she a portal to a poltergeist? The police, press and public wanted answers. Check out my other podcast, Australian Murder, wherever you get your audio. Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Oct 2026
435-

The Runaway Plane – Part Two: “Shoot It Down!"

This episode recounts the frantic 1955 pursuit of a pilotless Auster Archer aircraft flying over Sydney. It details the RAAF and Navy's interception attempts, including mechanical failures in RAAF jets and the growing public alarm as the runaway plane continued its flight. The narrative follows the successful shooting down of the aircraft by Royal Australian Navy pilots and explores the subsequent political fallout regarding air defence readiness. The episode concludes by examining how officials attempted to frame the event as a series of coincidences and compares the incident to similar pilotless plane encounters in the US.

25 Oct 2026
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The Runaway Plane – Part One: “There’s No Pilot!”

This episode explores the mysterious 1955 incident of an unmanned Auster Archer plane flying over Sydney, causing widespread panic. The story follows the aircraft's chaotic takeoff from Bankstown Airport and its high-altitude flight path over populated areas, which prompted authorities to consider shooting it down. Through the eyes of Tony Thrower, a former RAF photographer and British migrant, we examine the technical details of the runaway aircraft and the extreme emergency responses triggered by its unpredictable trajectory over the heart of the city.

22 Oct 2026
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Introducing Australia Murder

Host Michael Adams announces the launch of a new true crime podcast titled Australian Murder, designed to complement his long-running show, Forgotten Australia. The new series promises deep investigations into overlooked murder cases spanning from colonial times to the late 20th century, utilizing previously unseen evidence from police and court files. The first miniseries, The Beast Must Die, will feature historical crossovers with existing Forgotten Australia episodes. The podcast aims to explore homicide through the lens of history, covering settings ranging from major Australian cities to outback stations and even international locations like Gallipoli. Listeners can find the show on all major podcast platforms, where a trailer is currently available for preview.

18 Oct 2026