On the morning of October 14, 1968, the small Western Australian town of Meckering was torn apart by one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in Australia.

Roads split open, railway lines twisted, buildings collapsed, and a fault line ripped visibly through the landscape — leaving behind destruction that stunned the nation. In this episode, Holly and Matthew explore the events of the Meckering earthquake, the science behind it, and the aftermath for the people who lived through it. 

From the first violent tremors to the massive recovery effort, this is the story of the day Australia was reminded that even this ancient continent can move with terrifying force.

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

Hidden in the hills near Gympie, Queensland, sits a structure that has sparked decades of debate: the Gympie Pyramid. To some, it’s evidence of an ancient civilisation or Egyptian contact with Australia. To others, it’s nothing more than a terraced hillside built by early European settlers.

In this episode, Holly and Matthew dig into the claims, the history, and the investigations surrounding the site. Where did the pyramid theory come from? What evidence has been presented — and what holds up under scrutiny? It’s a story where archaeology, speculation, and local legend collide.

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

In September 2000, on a warm night in Sydney, Cathy Freeman stepped onto the track carrying the weight of expectation — and delivered one of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history. But her story didn’t begin there.

In this episode, Holly and Matthew trace Freeman’s journey from a young athlete in Queensland to a global symbol of achievement, resilience, and reconciliation. From her early rise in athletics to the cultural significance of her Olympic victory, this is a story about more than sport — it’s about identity, pressure, and a moment that brought a nation to a standstill.

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

In September 2000, on a warm night in Sydney, Cathy Freeman stepped onto the track carrying the weight of expectation — and delivered one of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history. But her story didn’t begin there.

In this episode, Holly and Matthew trace Freeman’s journey from a young athlete in Queensland to a global symbol of achievement, resilience, and reconciliation. From her early rise in athletics to the cultural significance of her Olympic victory, this is a story about more than sport — it’s about identity, pressure, and a moment that brought a nation to a standstill.


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

They’re loud, they’re messy, and they’ve become one of Australia’s most controversial native animals — the grey-headed flying fox.

Found along the east coast, these large fruit bats play a vital role in pollination and seed dispersal, yet their presence in urban areas has made them the centre of ongoing conflict between conservation and community concerns.

From mass colonies in suburban parks to debates over relocation and protection, it’s a story that sits at the intersection of environment, policy, and everyday life.

In this episode, Holly and Matthew explore the history, behaviour, and ecological importance of grey-headed flying foxes, along with the challenges they present in towns and cities.

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

In 1973, a global oil shock reached Australian shores and changed everyday life almost overnight. Fuel shortages, price spikes, and uncertainty rippled through the country, forcing governments and communities to rethink how they used energy.

In this episode, Holly and Matthew explore how the oil crisis played out in Australia — from petrol rationing and changing driving habits to the political decisions that shaped the nation’s response. What began as an overseas conflict quickly became a local disruption, exposing just how dependent Australia had become on global supply.

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

In December 2022, a routine missing persons check in rural Queensland turned into one of the deadliest attacks on police in recent Australian history. Two officers and a neighbouring resident were killed in a violent ambush at a remote property near the small community of Wieambilla.

In this episode, Holly and Matthew walk through the events as they unfolded — from the initial police attendance to the hours-long emergency response that followed. As investigators pieced together what had happened, the scale and planning of the attack became increasingly clear.

This is a careful reconstruction of the incident itself: the timeline, the confrontation, and the aftermath of a tragedy that shocked communities across Australia.

---
Sources used this episode (in appearance order): 

• A Current Affair Staff. (2022, December). Grieving widow remembers hero neighbour husband killed in cop shooting. A Current Affair. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/wieambilla-shooting-grieving-widow-heartbroken-by-treatment-of-husband-s-body-after-police-shooting/9484a2f5-2b10-4fe6-bcc6-d0e410756e76
• Read, C. (2023, January 22). “Mum didn’t like guns”: Police killers’ daughter says her parents were gentle. Brisbane Times. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/mum-didn-t-like-guns-cop-killers-daughter-says-her-parents-were-gentle-20230122-p5cell.html   Nolan, M., Devon, E., &
• Burley, M. (2022, December 13). Neighbours describe hearing chilling gun fight “like World War III”. The Chronicle. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.thechronicle.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-toowoomba/residents-in-chinchilla-and-tara-are-coming-to-terms-with-the-horror-events-that-unfolded-last-night/news-story/e4fbe7f031cac6308037fc561a8429d7  
• Chamberlin, T., Kyriacou, K., Scott, S., Nolan, M., Philp, J., Devon, E., & Morri, M. (2022, December 17). Qld police shooting: Local cops formed extraction team to save colleagues. The Courier Mail. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-qld/qld-police-shooting-local-cops-formed-extraction-team-to-save-colleague/news-story/bff3da3bcc6bfa446f9e6ea583f191b1  
• Brennan, A. (2022, December 14). Cold-blooded cop killers’ twisted final act after shooting police officers dead. News.com.au. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/crime/final-act-of-train-trio-who-executed-police-in-wieambilla-qld-siege/news-story/042ba4f3b07e94ff1c5ffe90f83c49fb  
• Sutton, C. (2022, December 15). Our daring dozen. The Daily Mail. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11536289/Wieambilla-police-shooting-cops-saved-officer-siege-braved-kill-zones-booby-traps.html  
• Silk. (2022, December 16). “We killed them”: Chilling video emerges of boasting cop killers. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/we-killed-them-chilling-video-emerges-of-boasting-cop-killers/news-story/a0fcf8635f50851ea14b6b2173cd53b1  
• Gillespie, E. (2022, December 21). Queensland shooting sparking “false flag” conspiracy theories, experts warn. The Guardian. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/21/conspiracists-create-theories-to-avoid-uncomfortable-truth-about-queensland-shooting-expert-says  
• AAP. (2022, December 14). Ambushed police thankful to survive attack. Canberra Daily. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://canberradaily.com.au/ambushed-police-thankful-to-survive-attack/  
• Coroners Court of Queensland. (2025, November 25). Findings of inquest into the deaths at Wieambilla. https://www.coronerscourt.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/888627/Findings-of-inquest-into-the-deaths-at-Wieambilla-Redacted-25.11.2025.pdf  
• Kruk, C., Read, C., & Atfield, C. (2025, December 5). Wieambilla families launch damages claim against Qld, NSW police. Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/wieambilla-families-launch-damages-claim-against-qld-nsw-police-20251205-p5nl3y.html   6 News Australia. (2022, December 13).
• Breaking: Anthony Albanese speaks after 6 were killed in Queensland shooting [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://youtu.be/gfjCkH_yxD0  
• Hitch, G. (2022, December 15). Peter Dutton becomes emotional during condolence motion for Queensland police officers killed in shooting. ABC News. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-15/peter-dutton-emotional-condolence-queensland-police-shooting/101776036  
• Gillespie, E. (2026, February 13). US man linked to Wieambilla shooting sentenced to three years’ prison. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-13/donald-day-wieambilla-shooting-sentence/106342394

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

In December 2022, a routine missing persons check in rural Queensland turned into one of the deadliest attacks on police in recent Australian history. Two officers and a neighbouring resident were killed in a violent ambush at a remote property near the small community of Wieambilla.

In this episode, Holly and Matthew walk through the events as they unfolded — from the initial police attendance to the hours-long emergency response that followed. As investigators pieced together what had happened, the scale and planning of the attack became increasingly clear.

This is a careful reconstruction of the incident itself: the timeline, the confrontation, and the aftermath of a tragedy that shocked communities across Australia.

---

Sources used this episode (in appearance order): 

• Hinchcliffe, J. (2022, December 16). Wieambilla shooting: Stacey Train had limited contact with family after entering ‘controlling’ relationship with brother-in-law. The Guardian. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/15/wieambilla-shooting-stacey-train-had-limited-contact-with-family-after-entering-controlling-relationship-with-brother-in-law
• Daily Mail Staff. (2022, December 15). Tracing the Trains. The Daily Mail. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/fb-11540187/TRACING-TRAINS.html
• Callinan, R., Andre, J., & Stone, L. (2022, December 15). Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train carried out a deadly police shooting. Their twisted backstory is revealed. ABC News. Retrieved january 29, 2025, from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-15/qld-police-shooting-offenders-nathaniel-gareth-stacey-train/101766720
• Nolan, M., Devon, E., & Burley, M. (2022, December 13). Neighbours describe hearing chilling gun fight 'like World War III.'. The Chronicle. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.thechronicle.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-toowoomba/residents-in-chinchilla-and-tara-are-coming-to-terms-with-the-horror-events-that-unfolded-last-night/news-story/e4fbe7f031cac6308037fc561a8429d7
• Smee, B., & Bucci, N. (2022, December 15). God and guns: the strict religious upbringing of the Wieambilla shooters. The Guardian. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/14/god-and-guns-the-strict-religious-upbringing-of-the-wieambilla-shooters
• Meacham, S., & Walsh, S. (2023, January 22). 'Fear of the unknown' led to Queensland cop slayings, daughter claims. 9 News. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-police-massacre-wieambilla-daughter-madelyn-train-interview-part-one/8e86f5f0-bd2c-4e32-b370
• Train, G. (2020, November 24). Dodgy Tasmania Police Still Covering Up Port Arthur Scam. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from CairnsNews.org: https://cairnsnews.org/2019/11/09/dodgy-tasmania-police-still-covering-up-port-arthur-scam/#comment-119937
• Train, G. (2020, October 18). Why the Rats are Abandoning Ship. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from CIR Now: https://cirnow.com.au/why-the-rats-are-abandoning-ship/#comment-13295
• Train, G. (2021, May 26). Channel Seven clearly being managed by Deep State after unbelievable Port Arthur segment. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from CairnsNews.org:

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

In December 2022, a routine missing persons check in rural Queensland turned into one of the deadliest attacks on police in recent Australian history. Two officers and a neighbouring resident were killed in a violent ambush at a remote property near the small community of Wieambilla.

In this episode, Holly and Matthew walk through the events as they unfolded — from the initial police attendance to the hours-long emergency response that followed. As investigators pieced together what had happened, the scale and planning of the attack became increasingly clear.

This is a careful reconstruction of the incident itself: the timeline, the confrontation, and the aftermath of a tragedy that shocked communities across Australia.

---

Sources used this episode (in appearance order): 

• Smee, B., & Bucci, N. (2022, December 15). God and guns: the strict religious upbringing of the Wieambilla shooters. The Guardian. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/14/god-and-guns-the-strict-religious-upbringing-of-the-wieambilla-shooters
• Chamberlin, T., Kyriacou, K., & Scott, S. (2022, December 14). Three shot dead by police after two officers, member of public killed in ambush. The Courier Mail. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-qld/police-shooting-officers-unaccounted-for-after-coming-under-attack/news-story/351e6044ef2050891d4cfefa48005443
• Baker, J. (2022, December 14). Missing persons report sparked ‘vicious’ fury from killer brother. Brisbane Times. Retrieved Januray 29, 2025, from https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/missing-persons-report-sparked-vicious-fury-from-killer-brother-20221214-p5c6ey.html
• Callinan, R., & Stone, L. (2022, December 17). Police shooter Nathaniel Train breached Queensland border in a car carrying weapons months after school resignation. ABC News. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-17/qld-police-shooting-nathaniel-train-rammed-border-dumped-guns/101783696

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

In December 2022, a routine missing persons check in rural Queensland turned into one of the deadliest attacks on police in recent Australian history. Two officers and a neighbouring resident were killed in a violent ambush at a remote property near the small community of Wieambilla.

In this episode, Holly and Matthew walk through the events as they unfolded — from the initial police attendance to the hours-long emergency response that followed. As investigators pieced together what had happened, the scale and planning of the attack became increasingly clear.

This is a careful reconstruction of the incident itself: the timeline, the confrontation, and the aftermath of a tragedy that shocked communities across Australia.

---

To celebrate episode 400, stick around after the show for a Q&A with Holly & Matthew, featuring questions from you, our listeners!

Sources used this episode (in appearance order): 

• Clarke, H. (2022, December 12). The deep grief felt by Rachel McCrow’s former partner. Country Caller. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://countrycaller.com.au/2022/12/15/the-deep-grief-felt-by-rachel-mccrows-former-partner/
• Sutton, C. (2022, December 15). Wieambilla shooting: Constable Matthew Arnold's girlfriend Arli shares final texts. The Daily Mail. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11537317/Wieambilla-shooting-Constable-Matthew-Arnolds-girlfriend-Arli-shares-final-texts.html
• Read, C. (2023, January 29). Police killers’ daughter tells of phone call hours before parents started shooting. Brisbane Times. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/police-killers-daughter-tells-of-phone-call-hours-before-parents-started-shooting-20230123-p5ceu0.html
• Issa, A. (2022, December 22). Nathaniel Train had warrant for his arrest. The Guardian. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/22/afternoon-update-nathaniel-train-had-warrant-for-his-arrest-teens-unwanted-sex-and-low-quality-apartments-selling-for-a-loss
• Nathaniel Train had warrant out for his arrest at time of Wieambilla shootings, police reveal. (2022, December 22). The Guardian. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/22/nathaniel-train-had-warrant-out-for-his-arrest-at-time-of-wieambilla-shootings-police-reveal
• Green, E. (2022, December 15). Father of cop killers Nathaniel and Gareth Train breaks silence. Couorier Mail. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-qld/father-of-wieambilla-cop-shooters-nathaniel-and-gavin-train-speaks-out/news-story/0c13540084d0e4502ea80fb6259b9d9b
• McMillan, A. (2022, December 13). Rookie officer hid in burning grass, sent goodbye texts to her family. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.smh.com.au/national/slipping-through-the-killers-sights-a-rookie-cop-hid-in-burning-grass-and-sent-goodbye-texts-to-her-family-20221213-p5c5vv.html
• Chamberlin, T., Kyriacou, K., Scott, S., Nolan, M., Philp, J., Devon, E., & Morri, M. (2022, December 17). Qld police shooting: Local cops formed extraction team to save colleagues. The Courier Mail. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-qld/qld-police-shooting-local-cops-formed-extraction-team-to-save-colleague/news-story/bff3da3bcc6bfa446f9e6ea583f191b1.
• Scott, S. (2022, December 16). Qld police shooting: Alan Dare’s wife recounts last conversation. The Courier Mail. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-qld/qld-police-shooting-alan-dares-wife-recounts-last-conversation/
• Nolan, M., & Burley, M. (2022, December 18). Mates are raising money for Alan Dare’s partner after he was shot and killed at Wieambilla. The Courier Mail. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/toowoomba/mates-are-raising-money-for-alan-dares-partner-after-he-was-shot-and-killed-at-wieambilla/news-story/fb4c6301a7dcb8ec5874c7ea7e53cbbb
• Tassell, D. (2022, December 17). Family of Wieambilla shooting victim Alan Dare say he deserved better on Monday night. 7News. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://7news.com.au/news/qld/family-of-wieambilla-shooting-victim-alan-dare-say-he-deserved-better-on-monday-night-c-9160991
• Coroners Court of Queensland. (2025, November 25). Findings of inquest into the deaths at Wieambilla. https://www.coronerscourt.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/888627/Findings-of-inquest-into-the-deaths-at-Wieambilla-Redacted-25.11.2025.pdf
• Wu, D. (2022, December 16). Devastated wife of Alan Dare reveals final words he uttered before he was killed while rushing to investigate sound of gunfire. Sky News. Retrieved January 29, 225, from https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/devastated-wife-of-alan-dare-reveals-final-words-he-uttered-before-he-was-killed-while-rushing-to-investigate-sound-of-gunfire/news-story/b9ac0d0819b4982610b653217b19797a

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