Forgotten Australia

Forgotten Australia

Bloody crimes, unsolved mysteries, eccentric celebrities, dark events and bizarre happenings: it's all here – the stuff you wish they'd taught you in school!


Dive into our strange-but-true history via never-before-told stories, author interviews, weekly flashbacks and the weekly trivia quiz.


Forgotten Australia is 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 and true crime commentator on ABC Nightlife and the podcast Australian True Crime.


Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month to get ad-free early episodes, exclusive bonus episodes, a show shout-out and the chance to win prizes in the special edition trivia quiz episodes.

Get a week's free trial here:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia


Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com


Check out my books!


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 Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html


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Ringkasan episode

Who was Musquito, the Aboriginal warrior feared by colonists in Sydney and Tasmania? Historian Naomi Parry Duncan's new book takes us behind the myths for a better understanding of this remarkable man. But Musquito: The Real Story of a Legendary Colonial Warrior is much more than a biography – it also tells the entwined stories of Naomi's own colonial ancestors. Booktopia Awards: https://www.booktopia.com.au/booktopia-book-award/promo4387.html 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 Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Check out my books! 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 Ned Kelly: https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html Australia’s…

Episode

432-

Talking History – Musquito: The Real Story of a Legendary Colonial Warrior

Who was Musquito, the Aboriginal warrior feared by colonists in Sydney and Tasmania? Historian Naomi Parry Duncan's new book takes us behind the myths for a better understanding of this remarkable man. But Musquito: The Real Story of a Legendary Colonial Warrior is much more than a biography – it also tells the entwined stories of Naomi's own colonial ancestors. Booktopia Awards: https://www.booktopia.com.au/booktopia-book-award/promo4387.html 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 Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Check out my books! 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 Ned Kelly: https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html Australia’s…

16 Okt 2026
431-

Australian Frankenstein – Part Two: The Infernal Machine

This episode explores the rise and fall of Professor Hornberg's mechanical wonders, such as the spring-powered 'Adam Iron,' and Professor Huller's snake shows across Tasmania and Victoria. Despite initial publicity, these performances faced harsh criticism from newspapers like the Hobart Mercury, which dismissed the inventions as 'humbug.' The narrative details the tragic ends of both men: Hornberg's career concluded in a devastating explosion involving an 'infernal machine,' while Huller eventually succumbed to snake bites. The episode concludes by connecting these historical figures and their legacy to the broader evolution of robotics, cinema, and modern technology.

12 Okt 2026
430-

Australian Frankenstein – Part One: The Steam Man

This episode explores the history of 'Frankenstein, the Steam Man,' an automated walking machine created by Frederick Hornberg and exhibited in Australia during the 1880s. The narrative traces the mechanical workings of the automaton and its public debut, connecting themes of historical automation to modern AI through genealogical links from Ada Lovelace to contemporary pioneers. The episode also examines the public reception and marketing of the machine, noting how newspaper coverage ranged from enthusiastic advertisements to skeptical critiques in Sydney and Melbourne. Finally, it details the cultural impact and satirical reception of the Steam Man, including its journey through various Australian cities and the competitive rivalries between showmen.

09 Okt 2026
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Mysteries of the Sea – Part Three: Beyond Human Knowledge

This episode investigates the mysterious disappearance of the vessel Cumbana in March 1912, noting striking similarities to the previous year's loss of the Yongala. It details the lives and connections of various passengers and crew members, the impact of a severe cyclone on the Northwest coast, and the growing anxiety as the ship remains overdue despite having wireless capabilities. The investigation continues through the aftermath of the disappearance, examining the discovery of wreckage and the controversial journalistic claims regarding Captain Tom Allen's decision to sail. The episode further explores the 1912 marine inquiry into weather conditions and stability, alongside the legal battles fought by the Adelaide Steamship Company to avoid paying compensation to the crew's dependents.

29 Sep 2026
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Mysteries of the Sea – Part Two: Dead Unlucky

This episode explores the tragic aftermath of the SS Yongala shipwreck in 1911, examining the investigations into its disappearance and the profound grief left in its wake. The narrative then follows the rise of the Kumbana, a vessel that earned a reputation as an 'unlucky steamer' due to a series of maritime mishaps, fires, and mysterious incidents. The episode further delves into the life of Captain Tom Allen and the labor unrest aboard the Kumbana, before concluding with various historical narratives from Western Australia in 1912. These include the punitive expeditions on the Canning Stock Route, the failed diving experiments in Broome, and the racial controversies surrounding justice in Derby.

27 Sep 2026