Weird Crap in Australia

What happens when you take werewolves, marsupials, a low budget, and the golden age of Ozploitation cinema? You get Howling III: The Marsupials — one of the strangest, campiest horror sequels ever put to film.

In this commentary track, join Holly and Matthew as they sit down with this oddball slice of Australian cinema. From the marsupial pouch transformations to the utterly bonkers plot, we’ll laugh, groan, and celebrate everything that makes Howling III a cult classic.

Grab the movie, hit play, and watch along with us — it’s the Weird Crap in Australia way of making e...

On the morning of 18 January 1977, Blue Mountains commuters boarded their usual train, expecting nothing more than another routine ride to work. Instead, the Granville train disaster became Australia’s deadliest rail accident. 

When a commuter train derailed and slammed into a road bridge, the collapse that followed trapped dozens in a nightmare of twisted metal and rubble. Rescue crews fought against the clock, and the nation watched in horror as the death toll rose.

Join Holly & Matthew as they revisit the events of that day — what went wrong, the incredible acts of bravery, and the lasting chang...

On the morning of 18 January 1977, Blue Mountains commuters boarded their usual train, expecting nothing more than another routine ride to work. Instead, the Granville train disaster became Australia’s deadliest rail accident. 

When a commuter train derailed and slammed into a road bridge, the collapse that followed trapped dozens in a nightmare of twisted metal and rubble. Rescue crews fought against the clock, and the nation watched in horror as the death toll rose.

Join Holly & Matthew as they revisit the events of that day — what went wrong, the incredible acts of bravery, and the lasting chang...

Every year, a sleepy New South Wales town gets turned into a pit lane paradise as 150,000 fans descend on Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000 — Australia’s most iconic car race. But Bathurst isn’t just about lap times and burnout smoke. Behind the wheelspin lies a deep and chaotic history: from the deadly results of some races, to the Peter Brock legacy, to the legendary Holden vs Ford rivalry that turned race day into a full-blown cultural war.

This episode, Holly and Matthew take a drive through the history of the Bathurst 1000 — the triumphs, the tragedies, the questionable crowd be...

In this series, we dive into one of the most confronting chapters of modern Australian history: the Cronulla Riots of December 2005. Sparked by rising tensions, fuelled by alcohol, misinformation, and nationalism, what started as a “community protest” quickly turned into an ugly and violent display of racial hatred.

Join Holly & Matthew as they look into an event about fear, blame, and what happens when divisions in the community explode into the public eye.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most confronting chapters of modern Australian history: the Cronulla Riots of December 2005. Sparked by rising tensions, fuelled by alcohol, misinformation, and nationalism, what started as a “community protest” quickly turned into an ugly and violent display of racial hatred.

Join Holly & Matthew as they look into an event about fear, blame, and what happens when divisions in the community explode into the public eye.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

HIn this episode, we dive into one of the most confronting chapters of modern Australian history: the Cronulla Riots of December 2005. Sparked by rising tensions, fuelled by alcohol, misinformation, and nationalism, what started as a “community protest” quickly turned into an ugly and violent display of racial hatred.

Join Holly & Matthew as they look into an event about fear, blame, and what happens when divisions in the community explode into the public eye.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In the lonely dunes of South Australia’s Coorong, legend speaks of a bushranger so strange he’s hard to forget: the Birdman of the Coorong. Unlike his horse-riding peers, this eccentric outlaw was rumoured to have galloped through the saltbush atop an ostrich.

Was he a real menace to passing coaches, or just a yarn spun to spook travellers on the road to Kingston SE?

Join Holly & Matthew as they dig into the history, rumour, and colonial oddity behind one of Australia’s most curious crime legends.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https...

Before they were stadium superstars, INXS were just six Aussie blokes carving out a sound in the sweaty pubs of Sydney. In this episode, we chart the meteoric rise of one of Australia’s biggest musical exports—from their gritty early days, to the glitz of international fame, and the tragic loss of frontman Michael Hutchence.

Join Holly & Matthew as they dive into their chart-topping hits, backstage drama, controversies, and lasting legacy. It’s the story of a band that defined a generation and gave Australia its rock’n’roll swagger on the world stage.

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Featu...

Before they were stadium superstars, INXS were just six Aussie blokes carving out a sound in the sweaty pubs of Sydney. In this episode, we chart the meteoric rise of one of Australia’s biggest musical exports—from their gritty early days, to the glitz of international fame, and the tragic loss of frontman Michael Hutchence.

Join Holly & Matthew as they dive into their chart-topping hits, backstage drama, controversies, and lasting legacy. It’s the story of a band that defined a generation and gave Australia its rock’n’roll swagger on the world stage.

*

Featu...

Before they were stadium superstars, INXS were just six Aussie blokes carving out a sound in the sweaty pubs of Sydney. In this episode, we chart the meteoric rise of one of Australia’s biggest musical exports—from their gritty early days, to the glitz of international fame, and the tragic loss of frontman Michael Hutchence.

Join Holly & Matthew as they dive into their chart-topping hits, backstage drama, controversies, and lasting legacy. It’s the story of a band that defined a generation and gave Australia its rock’n’roll swagger on the world stage.

*

"Just...

Douglas Mawson wasn’t just a survivor—he was a scientific powerhouse who helped put Australia on the map of polar exploration. His adventures began with the 1907–1909 Nimrod Expedition under Ernest Shackleton, during which he became one of the first to reach the Magnetic South Pole and climb Mount Erebus. But it was his own Australasian Antarctic Expedition from 1911 to 1914 that sealed his place in history.

Mawson’s leadership, grit, and heartbreak defined that journey. Stranded alone after the deaths of his companions, he hauled himself across 160 kilometres of ice, surviving crevasses, starvation, and the brutal cold. His story is...

Douglas Mawson wasn’t just a survivor—he was a scientific powerhouse who helped put Australia on the map of polar exploration. His adventures began with the 1907–1909 Nimrod Expedition under Ernest Shackleton, during which he became one of the first to reach the Magnetic South Pole and climb Mount Erebus. But it was his own Australasian Antarctic Expedition from 1911 to 1914 that sealed his place in history.

Mawson’s leadership, grit, and heartbreak defined that journey. Stranded alone after the deaths of his companions, he hauled himself across 160 kilometres of ice, surviving crevasses, starvation, and the brutal cold. His story is...

Douglas Mawson wasn’t just a survivor—he was a scientific powerhouse who helped put Australia on the map of polar exploration. His adventures began with the 1907–1909 Nimrod Expedition under Ernest Shackleton, during which he became one of the first to reach the Magnetic South Pole and climb Mount Erebus. But it was his own Australasian Antarctic Expedition from 1911 to 1914 that sealed his place in history.

Mawson’s leadership, grit, and heartbreak defined that journey. Stranded alone after the deaths of his companions, he hauled himself across 160 kilometres of ice, surviving crevasses, starvation, and the brutal cold. His story is...

Australia’s largest bird of prey, the wedge-tailed eagle , is a creature of raw power and mythic presence. With a piercing gaze adapted for hunting across vast landscapes, these raptors are found soaring over deserts, forests, and farmland alike.

Once hunted by farmers who saw them as threats to livestock, wedge-tails are now protected. Revered in local lore and feared by foxes, drones, and the occasional unlucky hang-glider, the wedge-tailed eagle is a symbol of survival, adaptability, and the wild spirit of Australia.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the biology, history, and cultural legacy of Au...

David Gulpilil, born in Arnhem Land in 1953, was more than just an actor—he was a cultural bridge, storyteller, and proud Yolŋu man who changed the face of Australian cinema. From his breakout role in Walkabout (1971) to his haunting final performance in My Name is Gulpilil (2021), his work brought Australian First Nations voices and perspectives to screens around the world.

Off-screen, Gulpilil lived a life as complex as any of his characters—balancing fame with tradition, navigating hardship, and ultimately becoming a national icon whose legacy continues to shape the arts and Indigenous representation in Australia.

J...

The legend of the ANZACs was born not through victory, but through courage, endurance, and mateship under fire. From the rocky shores of Gallipoli to the muddy battlefields of the Western Front, Australian and New Zealand troops earned a reputation for resilience, resourcefulness, and unbreakable spirit.

Though the Gallipoli campaign ended in withdrawal, the actions of the ANZACs forged a national identity that continues to shape Australia and New Zealand today. Their story is one of hardship, sacrifice, and a legacy that lives on more than a century later. 

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the b...

The legend of the ANZACs was born not through victory, but through courage, endurance, and mateship under fire. From the rocky shores of Gallipoli to the muddy battlefields of the Western Front, Australian and New Zealand troops earned a reputation for resilience, resourcefulness, and unbreakable spirit.

Though the Gallipoli campaign ended in withdrawal, the actions of the ANZACs forged a national identity that continues to shape Australia and New Zealand today. Their story is one of hardship, sacrifice, and a legacy that lives on more than a century later. 

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the b...

In the icy waters of Twofold Bay, a strange alliance once thrived between man and whale. At the heart of it was Old Tom, a killer whale unlike any other—who, along with his pod, helped human whalers hunt baleen whales in exchange for first dibs on the spoils.

This wasn’t legend. It was a documented partnership that spanned generations, built on eerie trust and uncanny understanding. But like many good things, it didn’t last. When Old Tom's body washed ashore in 1930, the bond between species died with him. 

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore...

Carl Williams rose from small-time drug dealer to one of the most powerful—and dangerous—figures in Melbourne’s gangland wars. Known for his smiling, seemingly unbothered public appearances, Williams was anything but harmless. He orchestrated a bloody campaign that left multiple rivals dead, including members of the Moran family, as he sought to dominate Melbourne’s criminal underworld in the early 2000s.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the life and legacy of Carl Williams, the man who declared war on Melbourne’s underworld—and paid the price.

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Judy Moran, once known as the matriarch of Melbourne’s most notorious criminal family, became a central figure in the city’s brutal gangland wars. Linked to a string of high-profile murders, Judy’s name was never far from headlines as her family—husband, sons, and eventually even her brother-in-law—fell victim to the violent world they helped shape. In 2009, the story took a darker turn when Judy was convicted of orchestrating the murder of Des Moran, her late husband's brother. Her downfall marked the end of the Moran family's dominance in Melbourne's criminal underworld, sealing her legacy as both a mother a...

Leslie “Les” Moran was a veteran of Melbourne’s underworld, deeply entrenched in the city’s organised crime scene. As a senior figure within the Moran family, he survived the early years of the gangland war, watching as his relatives were picked off one by one. However, his luck ran out in 2004 when he was shot dead in a daylight execution—a clear message in a war that showed no mercy. His death marked yet another brutal chapter in the ongoing bloodshed that gripped Melbourne for over a decade.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the life and death of L...

Jason Moran was a central figure in Melbourne’s gangland war, born into one of the city’s most notorious crime families. Known for his involvement in drug trafficking and violent underworld disputes, Moran’s life was marked by power plays and deadly rivalries. His assassination in 2003—gunned down in front of children at a football clinic—sent shockwaves through Australia and intensified a bloody underworld feud that had already claimed many lives.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the violent rise and fall of Jason Moran and his part in Melbourne’s gangland war.

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Melbourne’s gangland war claimed many lives, and Mark Moran was one of its most high-profile casualties. A key player in the city’s underworld, Moran was deeply entrenched in organised crime, with connections to drug trafficking and violent turf wars. His murder in 2000 marked a turning point in the escalating conflict, setting off a brutal cycle of revenge killings that would dominate headlines for years.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the life and death of Mark Moran and his role in Melbourne’s gangland war.

Background episodes (chronological order):
137 & 138 - Squizzy Taylor and the Fi...

During Melbourne’s infamous gangland wars, one criminal organisation loomed large—the Carlton Crew. Made up of powerful underworld figures, the group controlled illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and extortion throughout the city. Their influence and wealth made them targets, and as tensions escalated with rival factions, the streets of Melbourne became a battleground. Betrayals, assassinations, and police crackdowns followed, marking one of Australia's most violent crime sagas.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the rise and fall of the Carlton Crew and their role in Melbourne’s gangland wars.

Background episodes (chronological order):
137 & 138 - Squizzy Taylor...

The Melbourne gangland war was a brutal chapter in Australia’s criminal history, and the Kane brothers—Brian and Leslie—were right at its core. Known for their violent reputations and deep ties to organised crime, the Kane brothers became infamous figures in Melbourne’s underworld. Their brutal feuds, particularly with the Moran family and other crime syndicates, escalated into bloody street wars, leading to assassinations, betrayals, and an era of chaos that gripped the city.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the dark world of the Kane brothers and their role in Melbourne’s gangland war.

Backg...

The Melbourne gangland war was a brutal chapter in Australia’s criminal history, and the Kane brothers—Brian and Leslie—were right at its core. Known for their violent reputations and deep ties to organised crime, the Kane brothers became infamous figures in Melbourne’s underworld. Their brutal feuds, particularly with the Moran family and other crime syndicates, escalated into bloody street wars, leading to assassinations, betrayals, and an era of chaos that gripped the city.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the dark world of the Kane brothers and their role in Melbourne’s gangland war.

Backg...

Blinky Bill, created by Dorothy Wall in the 1930s, has captured the hearts of generations through books, television, and film. More than just a cheeky bush troublemaker, Blinky represents resilience, adventure, and the spirit of the Australian outback. His tales have been used to teach children about conservation, friendship, and the challenges facing Australia's unique wildlife.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the legacy of Blinky Bill and his impact on Australian culture.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

A mother and her two young children vanished from their home in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, in August 1978. Their disappearance quickly turned into a horrifying crime that shocked the nation. The family had been abducted, taken on a terrifying journey north before meeting a brutal and senseless end. What followed was a desperate manhunt, a tense standoff, and a case that remains one of Australia's most chilling acts of violence.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the tragic murders of Valda, Sally, and Damien Connell, and the impact this horrific crime left on Australia.

Become...

A mother and her two young children vanished from their home in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, in August 1978. Their disappearance quickly turned into a horrifying crime that shocked the nation. The family had been abducted, taken on a terrifying journey north before meeting a brutal and senseless end. What followed was a desperate manhunt, a tense standoff, and a case that remains one of Australia's most chilling acts of violence.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the tragic murders of Valda, Sally, and Damien Connell, and the impact this horrific crime left on Australia.


...

The North Head Quarantine Station, located on the northern headland of Sydney Harbour, holds a chilling legacy as one of Australia's most significant quarantine sites. Operating from 1833 to 1984, the station housed those afflicted by contagious diseases, such as smallpox, Spanish flu, and the plague, aiming to prevent outbreaks in the Australian colony. Thousands passed through its gates, many of whom never left.

With its preserved heritage buildings and proximity to mass graves, North Head is also notorious for its ghost stories and reported paranormal activity. Stories of shadowy figures, unexplained sounds, and otherworldly encounters are told by staff...

Edwin Eastwood was back at it again. Armed with a firearm, he entered the Wooreen State School and took nine students and their teacher, Rob Hunter, hostage. The kidnapper's demands for a ransom and threats heightened the terror of those involved. What did he want? Drugs, money and freedom.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the details of the kidnapping, the experiences of those involved, and the long-lasting impact this ordeal had on the victims and Mr Lindsay Thompson.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

The Faraday School kidnapping shocked Australia, as a group of six schoolgirls and their teacher, Mary Gibbs, were taken by two armed kidnappers. They stormed the small Faraday School in rural Victoria and held the group hostage, demanding a ransom of a cool million dollars. The police launched an intense search while the kidnappers took the victims into the bushland, keeping them captive for several days.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the details of the kidnapping, the resilience of the victims, and the enduring impact this crime has had on its victims.

Become a supporter...

A Royal Train carrying Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), derailed near Jarnadup, Western Australia, during his Australian tour. The accident occurred when the rails spread, causing the last two carriages, including the Prince’s, to overturn down a low embankment. Remarkably, no one was injured, though the event temporarily trapped the Prince and his entourage in the overturned carriage. 

This incident, though potentially perilous, endeared the Prince even more to Australians. Known affectionately as the “Digger Prince,” his poise and quick wit during the ordeal reinforced his popularity with the public, already captivated by his tour of...

In 1949, one of Australia’s largest industrial actions took place when coal miners staged a well-planned strike. Beginning in June and lasting nearly seven weeks, the strike involved more than 23,000 workers protesting poor wages and dangerous working conditions in the coal mines. Coal was a critical energy resource post-World War II, and the strike brought industries and households across the nation to a standstill, causing significant economic and social disruption.

Join Holly & Matthew as they unearth the tensions, key players, and ramifications of the 1949 Coal Miners’ Strike, exploring its profound legacy on Australian industrial relations.

Become a su...

Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has stood as a beacon of hope for those living in its most remote and unforgiving regions. Founded in 1928 by Reverend John Flynn, the service was born out of the need to provide critical medical care to isolated communities. Initially known as the Aerial Medical Service, it has grown into one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations, covering 7.69 million square kilometres.

The RFDS's impact is profound, delivering essential healthcare, emergency evacuations, and telehealth consultations to areas that would otherwise lack access. Whether reaching a station deep in the Ou...

Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has stood as a beacon of hope for those living in its most remote and unforgiving regions. Founded in 1928 by Reverend John Flynn, the service was born out of the need to provide critical medical care to isolated communities. Initially known as the Aerial Medical Service, it has grown into one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations, covering 7.69 million square kilometres.

The RFDS's impact is profound, delivering essential healthcare, emergency evacuations, and telehealth consultations to areas that would otherwise lack access. Whether reaching a station deep in the Ou...

In the 1950s, Australia was gripped by a bizarre and terrifying trend of thallium poisoning, one of the most sinister and mysterious poisoning cases in Australian history. Thallium, a highly toxic metal, was used in a range of household items, including rat poisons and insecticides, and became the weapon of choice for a number of perpetrators. The poison’s ability to cause severe and often fatal damage to the nervous system made it incredibly difficult to detect, and as such, it led to a series of deaths and illnesses across the country. At the time, symptoms of poisoning were easily mi...

In the 1950s, Australia was gripped by a bizarre and terrifying trend of thallium poisoning, one of the most sinister and mysterious poisoning cases in Australian history. Thallium, a highly toxic metal, was used in a range of household items, including rat poisons and insecticides, and became the weapon of choice for a number of perpetrators. The poison’s ability to cause severe and often fatal damage to the nervous system made it incredibly difficult to detect, and as such, it led to a series of deaths and illnesses across the country. At the time, symptoms of poisoning were easily mi...

In the 1950s, Australia was gripped by a bizarre and terrifying trend of thallium poisoning, one of the most sinister and mysterious poisoning cases in Australian history. Thallium, a highly toxic metal, was used in a range of household items, including rat poisons and insecticides, and became the weapon of choice for a number of perpetrators. The poison’s ability to cause severe and often fatal damage to the nervous system made it incredibly difficult to detect, and as such, it led to a series of deaths and illnesses across the country. At the time, symptoms of poisoning were easily mi...