With a deep-rooted passion for the forest, Shannon emotionally and hilariously guides listeners on a captivating exploration through the puzzle pieces of places, people, and the past that she has uncovered on her adventures around Australia. She pays homage to the land and its original custodians, those who have followed, and the timeless stories etched into its soil. Shannon’s exploration encompasses the beauty of the Australian landscape, the intriguing, mysterious, and (sometimes a little) spooky tales that surround it, along with a personal perspective on how understanding history and her connection to nature have shaped her own identity. Shannon, along with her producer (and reluctant co-host) Megan, invites you to join them for a fortnightly adventure. Meet us on the forest floor, where you have less but live more.
Episode 22 | Patonga and the The Rack Man Mystery
Join us as we explore the natural beauty and charm of Patonga and then dive into the darker waters of its history. Because not far from this picture-perfect shoreline, its waters once gave up a secret it had been holding onto for years: a man strapped to a steel crucifix, known only as Rack Man. In this episode, we unravel the eerie mystery that ties this unsolved murder to the river’s depths, and to the tranquil little town we thought we knew.
Episode 21 | A Woman's Body is not a Lesson
In every corner of history, desperation has driven women into impossible choices.
From the lonely banks of the Paterson River to the locked wards of the Newcastle Industrial School. From whispered agreements on Oakhampton Road to courtroom trials designed to shame. We trace the hidden stories of women like Ada Murray and Mary Ann Hughes.
We look back, not because history is a lesson, but because it is a mirror.
Episode 20 | Travel Diary - Lord Howe Island
A UNESCO World Heritage listed wonder where dramatic mountains meet turquoise lagoons, and time seems to slow down. Just 11 kilometres long and home to only a few hundred lucky residents, Lord Howe feels like stepping into another world, rich with rare wildlife, untouched beaches, and incredible coral reefs.
I share our adventures, including our brush with fame on the tarmac as well as our discovery of the Catalina A24-381 flying boat wreck — a haunting piece of history linked to Rathmines, not far from my own backyard.
It’s a place of natural wonders, and a reminder of just how extraordinary our corner of the world can be.
Episode 19 | The Bubonic Plague Hits Sydney
In this episode, we uncover the forgotten stories of the first plague victims, the struggles of Sydney’s working poor, and the city’s sluggish response to a looming health crisis. As we look back, we ask: what has really changed? From 1900 to 2019, from the Black Death to COVID—have we learned from history, or are we doomed to repeat it?
Episode 18 | Q Station
For over 150 years, Manly’s Q Station served as a quarantine site for those arriving in Australia, isolating the sick to prevent deadly diseases from spreading. Thousands of people passed through its doors, many never leaving, their final moments spent in its eerie hospital wards and secluded burial sites. Today, its historic sandstone buildings and abandoned corridors stand as a chilling reminder of its haunted past, with countless stories of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena.
We experienced this history firsthand on a ghost tour, walking through the shadowy hallways and dimly lit rooms where spirits are said to linger. From strange whispers in the darkness to sudden drops in temperature, the atmosphere was thick with an unsettling energy. Whether it was our imagination or something truly otherworldly, one thing was certain—Q Station’s past is far from silent.
Episode 17 | Eugenia Falleni Part 2
In 1917, Harry was convicted of murdering his first wife, Annie Birkett. The case was sensationalized, his gender identity exploited for scandal, and public discourse was shaped not by justice, but by shock and misunderstanding. At a time when even the most basic conversations about gender were unheard of, Eugene’s life was a painful testament to the cost of forced secrecy.
But as we examine his life and the events that led to that fateful moment, we must ask, how much of this tragedy was shaped by the world around him?
In a society where he could have lived openly, without fear, without persecution, would things have taken a different path? Would his life, and Annie’s, have reached a different ending?
Episode 16 | Eugenia Falleni Part 1
History often remembers its outlaws, its murderers, and its tragic figures, but it rarely asks—what could have been different? In this episode, we step back over a century to tell the story of Eugenia Falleni, who lived a life defined by secrecy, survival, and society’s rigid boundaries. Born in Italy in 1875 and later making his way to Australia, Eugenia lived as Harry Leo Crawford, a transgender man navigating a world that had no language, no acceptance, and no space for the truth of his identity.
Episode 15 | The Button Man
For years stories have circulated about a mysterious man who roams Victoria's High Country known only as The Button Man. In this episode we ponder is he actually the Australian version of the Boogie Man as he has often been depicted, with people trying to connect him to the many disapearences in the remote region or is he just a man who we should all really look up to.
(AI Generated Image)
Episode 14 | The Brutal Murder of Nigel McAree - A Family Seeks Justice
In 1975, Nigel McAree was shot in the back of the head and then decapitated at Governor Game Lookout in Sydney's Royal National Park.
In this powerful episode, we speak with Nigel's niece Narelle Spencer about the enduring pain of her family's loss and their unwavering hope for answers.
Episode 13 | J Ward
In this episode we head to Ararat, Victoria and take a look inside J Ward which began it's life as the Ararat County Gaol and later became apart of the Aradale Lunatic Asylum and was used to house the Criminally Insane.
Episode 12 | The Yowie: Fact or Fiction
In this episode we chat with River Morris. River, a proud Wiradjuri man, shared with us some of his personal knowledge and experiences with The Hairy Man.
Episode 11 | Aireys Inlet
In this week's episode we head along The Great Ocean Road to Aireys Inlet for a trip down memory lane.
We revisit some of our childhood obsessions, explore Split Point Lighthouse and take a peek into the life of convict William Buckley and how his dash to freedom left a marked impression on all of us, without us even knowing it.
Episode 10 | Anne Hamilton-Byrne and The Family | Part 2
Episode 9 | Anne Hamilton-Byrne and The Family | Part 1
Episode 8 | Town Hall Cemetery
Episode 7 | When You Can't See The Forest For The Trees
Trigger Warning: This episode contains candid conversations around suicide.
Episode 6 | Captain Moonlite - Australia's Campest Bushranger
Episode 5 | Russell Hill and Carol Clay
Episode 4 | Lyrebirds with Dr Alex Maisey
Episode 3 | The House that Knew Too Much
Episode 2 | Old Tom and the Killers of Eden
In this episode we explore Davidson Whaling Station and the unique relationship that developed with 'The Killers of Eden'.
Episode 1 | Truganini
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