Just off the well-beaten track of eastern central Queensland lies the remains of an old highway, one that stretches from the towns of Mackay to Rockhampton. The Old Bruce Highway, as it's officially known, is an easy sightseeing route for families looking to relive the old 1950s and 60s road trips, or for people who prefer not to walk the road less traveled by.

But the Crystal Highway guards a secret: since the 1960s, people have been found dead or gone missing along that road. Not only have those travelling alone been targeted, but whole families.

Join Holly and Matthew as they examine Queensland's second murder road, the Crystal Highway.


Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod
"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod
Used under a Creative Commons license.

Sources cited:
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The Canberra Times. 1967. “MP says he carries rifle on highway.” 20 October. Accessed March 19, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106993499.

McCormack, Madura. 2018. “Murders that Rocked Mackay.” Queensland Times, 18 May. Accessed December 7, 2020. https://www.qt.com.au/news/bodies-in-blackest-crime-were-found-bound-in-wire/3418325/.

Riga, Rachel. 2018. “Family pleads to find Marilyn Wallman's killer four decades after disappearance.” ABC News, 11 March. Accessed December 8, 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-11/family-pleads-to-find-marilyn-wallmans-killer-mackay-north-qld/9532640.

The Canberra Times. 1975. “Body of woman found.” 28 March. Accessed March 22, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116340033.

Archibald-Binge, Ella. 2017. “Flawed investigation in 'redneck town' saw innocent man jailed for 25 years, says family.” SBS, 17 May. Accessed December 8, 2020. https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2017/05/15/flawed-investigation-redneck-town-saw-innocent-man-jailed-25-years-says-family.

Cucchiara, Sam. 2018. “Tourist couple shot at while sleeping in motor home.” 9 News, 13 August. Accessed December 9, 2020. https://www.9news.com.au/national/tourists-shot-at-in-central-queensland/a4ad22ae-8d0f-4dae-b0dd-8745034c7eaf.

Clarry, Nigel. 2015. Comment. 7 February. Accessed April 2, 2021. https://holidayroad.com.au/the-horror-stretch/#comment-35.

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myPolice. 2018. “Update – firearm incident, Rockhampton.” myPolice Queensland Police News, 14 August. Accessed April 2, 2021. https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/news/2018/08/14/update-firearm-incident-rockhampton/.

u/Clonyman0. 2012. Reddit : The Marlborough Stretch. 2 May. Accessed December 9, 2020. https://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/t3862/the_marlborough_stretch/.

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