The odd side of Australia.

Evidence-backed unusual places in Australia, grouped with maps, original sources and useful geographic context. These are crawlable research records, not an indiscriminate directory: reports without enough depth remain available for exploration but are excluded from search indexing.

Infrastructure · Heritage NSW

The classical tower built to ventilate a sewer

Bondi, Sydney, Australia

A monumental concrete vent rises beside Bondi Golf Course like a misplaced coastal column.

Map, evidence and context →Infrastructure · Gazetteer of Australia

The town that moved underground

Coober Pedy, South Australia

Homes and civic spaces occupy excavated rock to escape surface heat.

Map, evidence and context →Natural world · Wikidata global places

Tumblagooda sandstone

Australia

Fine- to medium-grained sandstones; minor conglomerate; red,commonly bioturbated siltstone towards the top of the unit. Located in Western Australia

Map, evidence and context →Natural world · Wikidata global places

Wallumbilla Formation

Australia

marine grey mudstone and siltstone with minor interbeds of fine-grained glauconitic and calcareous sandstone, local thin micritic limestone beds and heavy mineral strandline accumulations; d

Map, evidence and context →Natural world · Wikidata global places

Eumeralla Formation

Australia

Volcanilithic sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, mud-clast conglomerate, with feldspar and quartz grains, and coal: fine to medium grained, consolidated, well-bedded, cross-bedded; braided stre

Map, evidence and context →Natural world · Wikidata global places

Purlawaugh Formation

Australia

Fine to medium grained lithic to labile sandstone thinly interbedded with siltstone, mudstone and thin coal seams. Abundant carbonaceous fragments, thin beds of flint clay.

Map, evidence and context →Natural world · Wikidata global places

Bungil Formation

Australia

geological formation in Australia. Glauconitic, labile to quartzose, siltstone, mudstone. Subdominant coarse-grained quartzose sandstone in some areas. Minor thin coal seams.

Map, evidence and context →Natural world · Wikidata global places

Allaru Formation

Australia

primarily blue-grey mudstone (partly pyritic) and interbedded calcareous siltstone, cone-in-cone limestone and lesser sandstone

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Fanny

Near Cape Bernouilli, 30 miles east of Encounter Bay, south of Victor Harbor, South Australia.

Fanny was a schooner built in 1838 and lost on 21/06/1838. Driven ashore by SW gales.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Maria

Margaret Brock Reef, Lacepede Bay, South Australia

Maria was a brig built in 1823 and lost on 28/06/1840. The Maria, a 136 ton wooden brig built in 1823 en route to Hobart Town from Adelaide went ashore on Margaret Brock reef in late June 18

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Elizabeth Rebecca

Yanerbie, north end of Sceale Bay (formerly Trial Bay at time of loss), near Streaky Bay

Elizabeth Rebecca was a brig built in 1828 and lost on 10/04/1845. During a westerly gale the ship lost its rudder and went ashore

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

St. Vincent

Murray Mouth

St. Vincent was a cutter built in 1840 and lost on 9/1844. Vessel broke from its moorings at Encounter Bay and later found on the beach at the Murray Mouth.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Emma

Aldinga Bay, South Australia

Emma was a schooner built in and lost on 23/08/1840. Presumed sunk during SW gale.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Frances

Neptune Island, easterly bay of East Island, near Port Lincoln, South Australia

Frances was a cutter built in 1839 and lost on 29/08/1840. Blown ashore during an easterly gale.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Governor Gawler

Reevesby Island, Joseph Banks Group, Spencer Gulf, South Australia.

Governor Gawler was a schooner built in 1840 and lost on 01/08/1847. The Governor Gawler was making for Port Lincoln when driven northward by the storm, onto a reef near Reevesby Island, in

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

William

Hog Bay, near Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

William was a schooner built in 08/01/1844 and lost on 23/08/1847. On Monday 23 August 1847, the William was going into Hog Bay, Kangaroo Island to land a passenger. It was dark and the wind

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Arachne

Yanerbie, at north end of Sceale Bay. Called Trial Bay at the time of loss.

Arachne was a barque built in 1809 and lost on 6/1848. The barque Arachne, under Captain William Young, left Hobart for the South Seas with stores on 13 January 1848. In late May or early Ju

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Albatross

Near the mouth of the Onkaparinga River, Onkaparinga, South Australia.

Albatross was a cutter built in 1842 and lost on 11/08/1848. Driven ashore in squall.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Tigress

Seaford, 2 km S of Onkaparinga River mouth, south of Adelaide

Tigress was a snow built in 1840 and lost on 26/09/1848. On 6 May 1848 the vessel sailed from Leith, Scotland, bound for Port Adelaide and Port Phillip with a general cargo and two passenger

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Young Hebe

20 miles east of Cape Spencer

Young Hebe was a schooner built in 1840 and lost on 3/1849. Unknown. Thought to have struck rocks. Wreck found partially above water so cause of deaths unknown.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Sultana

Troubridge Shoal

Sultana was a ship built in 1837 and lost on 28/09/1849. Blown ashore during heavy weather.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Jane Flaxman

Near Semaphore, South Australia

Jane Flaxman was a cutter built in 1839 and lost on 02/05/1850. On Thursday 2 May 1850, the vessel made sail past the Outer Harbor lightship and at sundown was observed far to the west. At a

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Grecian

Outer Harbor, Gulf St Vincent. 7 km NW of Port Adelaide. 1/4 mile SSE from the end of the southern breakwater

Grecian was a barque built in 1841 and lost on 13/10/1850. Grecian sailed from The Downs, England, on 15 June 1850, and left Lands End on 18 June. The voyage was free from bad weather throug

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

George Home

150 miles SSE of Kangaroo Island

George Home was a barque built in 1809 and lost on 26/04/1851. Sprang a leak and sank.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Goulburn

Hog Bay, Kangaroo Island

Goulburn was a built in 27/06/1856 and lost on 29/06/1856. The barge Goulburn was being towed from Port Adelaide to Port Elliot by the steamship Melbourne. About half an hour after sighting

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Jane and Emma

Rosetta Head, Encounter Bay, South Australia

Jane and Emma was a cutter built in 1835 and lost on 5/1852. Unknown: most likely due to adverse weather.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Emu

Port Elliot. Remains possibly located east of the mouth of Middleton Creek under a section of sand dune. keel and frames? (visible in 1912)

Emu was a schooner built in 1847 and lost on 01/05/1853. Mysteriously broken on Frenchmans Rock during heavy SSW winds.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Osmanli

D'Estrees Bay, 35 km SW of American River, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Osmanli was a built in 22/10/1846 and lost on 25/11/1853. Osmanli left Melbourne before daylight on the 23 November 1853 bound for Port Adelaide. The vessel was carrying passengers, coal, p

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Midge

Cape Willoughby, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Midge was a cutter built in 1840 and lost on 29/06/1853. The cutter Midge left Port Adelaide on 27 June 1853 bound for Encounter Bay and Yankalilla. The vessel arrived at Encounter Bay on th

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

O.G.

Pooles Flat, 1.5 miles north of Second Valley, Rapid Bay.

O.G. was a cutter built in 1840 and lost on 23/05/1854. Dragged anchor and struck rocks during heavy gale.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Trial

North Sand, near the 4th beacon inside

Trial was a cutter built in and lost on 30/04/1854. On Sunday morning 30 April 1854, the cutter Trial (SARHS 45) was observed from the lightship to be labouring in heavy seas. The vessel p

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Industry

Yankalilla Bay

Industry was a ketch built in 5/1852 and lost on 18/08/1854. Driven ashore during a storm

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Sans Pareille

Cape Jervis

Sans Pareille was a brigantine built in 1841 and lost on 30/01/1855. During heavy weather and thick fog ran upon reef.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Maid of the Mill

Mouth of the Onkaparinga River, Adelaide

Maid of the Mill was a ketch built in 1849 and lost on 27/02/1856. Maid of the Mill left Port Adelaide for Willunga on 27 February 1856 with a cargo of palings, flour and sundries. A gale fo

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Nashwauk

Moana, near mouth of Pedlars Creek, South Australia.

Nashwauk was a ship built in 1853 and lost on 12/05/1855. On 13 February 1855 the vessel sailed from Liverpool for Port Adelaide with a general cargo and 300 immigrants, mainly Irish. On 13

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Commodore

Commodore Point, Port Elliot, South Australia.

Commodore was a schooner built in 1818 and lost on 29/02/1856. When the schooner arrived at Port Elliott on 28 February 1856, Captain Smith ignored the services of a pilot and instead chose

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Grenada

Port Willunga, north of jetty

Grenada was a schooner built in 1850 and lost on 20/06/1856. Parted from chain and driven ashore in SW squall, refloated and ashore.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Josephine Loizeau

Port Elliot

Josephine Loizeau was a schooner built in 1841 and lost on 10/07/1856. Strong southerly winds, crew chained boat to wrong mooring, broke & vessel went ashore.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Lapwing

Port Elliot, South Australia.

Lapwing was a ketch built in 1808 and lost on 06/09/1856. By 5 September 1856 Lapwing had been in Horseshoe Bay 23 days, having discharged ‘sundry stores for the settlers’ and taken on a car

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Harry

Port Elliot

Harry was a brig built in 1842 and lost on 09/12/1856. On 9 December 1856, the pilot/harbour master, Mr. P. Nation, boarded Harry to take the vessel to the outer anchorage of Port Elliot, at

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Ida

Port Willunga

Ida was a brig built in 1845 and lost on 15/01/1857. On the morning of 15 January 1857 Ida was boarded by the harbourmaster in Port Willunga to be taken to its moorings. At around noon, whil

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Maid of the Valley

Port Willunga 1/2 mile NE of Martins Reef. Short Distance Southwards Of The Wreck Star Of Greece.

Maid of the Valley was a brigantine built in 1852 and lost on 13/11/1857. Driven ashore during gale.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

William

Yankalilla Bay

William was a cutter built in 1833 and lost on 8/1838. Driven ashore in gale and wrecked.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Camilla

Streaky Bay, West Coast of South Australia.

Camilla was a brig built in 1827 and lost on 28/04/1844. The brig Camilla, under Captain James Gardiner, left Hobart on 27 March 1844 with stores for a whaling voyage and arrived at Streaky

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

William Henry

Tunby Island, near Tumby Bay, South Australia

William Henry was a cutter built in 1842 and lost on 6/1844. After successfully getting the Kate of the strand at Tumby Island, as William Henry was approaching to bring up under the island,

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Water Witch

Moorundie, near Old Whipstick Hotel, 3 km downstream from Blanchetown, River Murray, South Australia.

Water Witch was a cutter built in 1835 and lost on 05/12/1842. In May 1841, the Water Witch sailed through the Murray Mouth, and then up the River Murray to Moorundie (near Blanchetown) whic

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Solway

North side of Black Reef, NE of Rosetta Head, Encounter Bay

Solway was a ship built in 1829 and lost on 21/12/1837. The ship left Hamburg, Germany, with 52 German immigrants and arrived at Rosetta Bay, South Australia in December 1837. The vessel was

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Kate

Boston Island, near Port Lincoln, South Australia

Kate was a cutter built in and lost on 6/1844. Driven ashore after rescue attempt.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Marion

Troubridge Shoal, 8.5 km SE of Edithburgh, Yorke Peninsula

Marion was a ship built in 1850 and lost on 29/07/1851. Marion set sail from Plymouth England on Monday 24 March 1851 with 350 emigrants aboard – all bound for South Australia. After a lengt

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

South Australian

Rosetta Harbor 3 miles west of Victor Harbor

South Australian was a barque built in 1819 and lost on 08/12/1837. South Australian was acquired by the South Australian Company in September 1836 and re-rigged as a barque to transport set

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Napperby

Schnapper Point, between River Channel and Quarantine Station, Port Adelaide

Napperby was a ketch built in 12/1872 and lost on 13/01/1928. In January 1928, when bound from Edithburgh to Port Adelaide with a cargo of 1300 bags of lime and 200 bags of gypsum, the lime

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Malvina Maud

Point Jarrold, near Port Pirie

Malvina Maud was a schooner built in 06/05/1875 and lost on 20/02/1876. Caught fire and blew up due to explosives on board.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Sarah

Point Lowly, near Port Augusta

Sarah was a built in and lost on 21/12/1876. Started to sink due to leaks. Crew ran the vessel ashore where it broke up.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Rambler

Between Wool Bay & Stansbury, 2 miles north of Wool Bay

Rambler was a schooner built in 1871 and lost on 17/01/1877. On the evening of Monday 15 January 1877 Rambler departed Port Adelaide bound for Wool Bay, Yorke Peninsula with a NE wind. While

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Emily Smith

Maupertuis Bay, north of Cape De Couedic, Kangaroo Island

Emily Smith was a brig built in 1849 and lost on 15/05/1877. The vessel was on a voyage from King George Sound to Port Adelaide with a cargo of wool, timber and about twenty-five passengers.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Freebridge

Elliston, Waterloo Bay, west coast of South Australia.

Freebridge was a schooner built in 1850 and lost on 12/06/1877. On 1 June 1877, Freebridge left Port Adelaide for Waterloo, Venus and Streaky Bays, carrying seven passengers and 57 tons of c

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Fanny Wright

Waterloo Bay, near Elliston, South Australia

Fanny Wright was a schooner built in 1873 and lost on 07/08/1877. The schooner Fanny Wright, under Captain R. Glenn, left Port Adelaide on 20 July 1877 bound for Eucla, Western Australia, wi

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Tipara

15 miles WSW of Wardang Island

Tipara was a sloop built in and lost on 02/09/1877. While being towed by the steamer Euro the tow was commenced at too high a speed and the towline frayed. When Euro anchored in the lee of

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Lady of the Lake

Victor Harbor

Lady of the Lake was a built in 20/12/1855 and lost on 03/10/1877. Dragged anchors in heavy gale and went to pieces.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Wildflower

Whiting Point

Wildflower was a cutter built in and lost on 11/11/1877. Capsized and sank in 20 feet of water during a sudden squall.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Young St. George

Althorpe Island, South Australia

Young St. George was a schooner built in 1856 and lost on 03/01/1878. The vessel was engaged in servicing the construction of the new lighthouse on Althorpe Island. The vessel was on its moo

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Louise

Port Rickaby, Hardwicke Bay

Louise was a schooner built in 1869 and lost on 11/1878. Went ashore in a gale and became a total wreck.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Mercury

Port Pirie

Mercury was a ketch built in 1864 and lost on 19/06/1878. Run down by the steamer Euro while at anchor.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

James and Margaret

Telowie Beach

James and Margaret was a cutter built in and lost on 06/12/1878. Sparks From Nearby Cooking Fire Ignited Paper Causing A Fire. The Vessel Was Completely Destroyed

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Elizabeth

Port Gawler, South Australia.

Elizabeth was a cutter built in and lost on 15/12/1878. Went ashore with all sails set.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Ismyr

Near Reef Head, Yorke Peninsula

Ismyr was a barque built in 1/1868 and lost on 24/02/1879. Presumed to have struck a reef and sank.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Maria

3.5 miles off Lighthouse, near Semaphore, Adelaide, South Australia.

Maria was a cutter built in and lost on 10/06/1879. Presumed sunk in squall with all sails set.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Prima Donna

Between Port Macdonnell and Port Adelaide

Prima Donna was a ketch built in 01/02/1870 and lost on 21/08/1880. The ketch departed MacDonnell Bay, bound for Port Adelaide, on 21 August 1880, was never seen again. It is presumed to hav

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Hopper Barge No. 3

1.3 miles south of Cape Jervis, South Australia

Hopper Barge No. 3 was a built in 14/01/1880 and lost on 21/10/1880. Sunk due to heavy weather. On 4 September 1880, the Orient Lines steamer SS Sorata stranded on a ledge of rocks about a

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Young Edith

Wallaroo

Young Edith was a cutter built in and lost on 21/10/1880. Dragged anchor, grounded & capsized in heavy westerly gale.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Endeavour

North Arm, Port River, Port Adelaide

Endeavour was a cutter built in and lost on 10/03/1881. Blown over by a squall and sank.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Experiment

6 miles south of Althorpe Island, Investigator Strait, south of Inneston, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

Experiment was a schooner built in 30/09/1874 and lost on 09/05/1881. Vessel overloaded, struck by a squall, capsized and sank.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Ark

Dangerous Reef, east of Port Lincoln, Spencer Gulf, South Australia.

Ark was a ketch built in 1873 and lost on 09/11/1881. Broke rudder head in south easterly gale. Stern post started and the vessel sank.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Vesta

River Murray, near Overland Corner

Vesta was a built in 1867 and lost on 08/07/1882. Sunk, although Register was not closed until November 1909 with 'Believed broken up'.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Parara

Point Lowly, near /Whyalla/Port Augusta, Spencer Gulf, South Australia.

Parara was a ketch built in 1874 and lost on 10/07/1882. Driven onto rocks during a northerly gale.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Young Lion

Cape Elizabeth Reef, south of Moonta

Young Lion was a ketch built in 1874 and lost on 18/10/1882. Course of vessel altered by mate and struck reef

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Amelia

About 100 m from shore (north west section?), Avoid Bay, Coffin Bay National Park, West Coast of South Australia.

Amelia was a cutter built in 1858 and lost on 08/02/1883. Amelia was on a sealing expedition to Four Hummocks Islands under the command of Captain Alexander Reid when lost on the morning of

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Stag

Angas Inlet, Port Adelaide

Stag was a built in and lost on 09/03/1883. The hulk was in the Port Stream when the cargo of coal, which had been stored in the hold since the previous November, spontaneous combusted. T

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Little Orient

Largs Bay, Adelaide

Little Orient was a built in 1879 and lost on 20/11/1883. Explosion in steam room of vessel and total loss.

Map, evidence and context →Maritime · South Australian Shipwrecks

Hero

Glenelg, north of Patawalonga Creek

Hero was a built in and lost on 20/01/1884. Went down at moorings in rough weather, went ashore

Map, evidence and context →