[Part 1 of 5]

The Hume Freeway is one of the busiest interstate routes in Australia, linking the countries two most populous cities, Sydney and Melbourne. Stretching for 840 kilometres, the Hume is part of the Auslink National Network, providing a vital connection for freight and transit between the two major East Coast cities.

In 2013, the creation of the Holbrook bypass marked the completion of an extensive overhaul of the roadway, with Sydney and Melbourne now linked by a continuous dual-lane freeway unrestricted by the traffic lights and speed restrictions of passing townships.

But it wasn’t always this way. Prior to the upgrade, the Hume Freeway was the Hume Highway. Those navigating the Old Hume had to drive through a vast number of urban and rural townships, traffic lights, and intersections. Despite the bypass upgrades that occurred throughout the years, one aspect of the Hume has remained the same – it is the only road providing access to the Belanglo State Forest.

Entrance to Belanglo is gained via the Hume, 16 kilometres south of the Southern Highlands town of Bowral, where a sealed road quickly gives way to rocky dirt roads, steep hills, and creek crossings impossible to navigate without an off-road vehicle. Fire trails and a complex network of tracks and paths criss-cross throughout the forest, which is so large and isolated that it is rare to encounter another person whilst visiting.

Despite its splendour and distinctively Australian landscape which continues to attract nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world, those who venture to the secluded forest note the vast space is enveloped by an eerie silence. As visitors turn to the forest entrance, a large ominous sign surrounded by a wall of towering trees warns:

‘Welcome to Belanglo State Forest – Please Be Careful.’

________

Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:

AUSTRALIA:

Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36

Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732

Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78

Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre

USA:

Distress &  Lifeline: 1800 273 8255

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741

Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233

Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846

UK:

Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393

SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000

Samaritans support network: 116 123

National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300

CANADA:

For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/

NEW ZEALAND:

Lifeline: 0800 543354

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)

CREDITS

NARRATION:

Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host

EPISODE:

Episode researched by the Anonymous Host

Episode written by Elsha McGill 

MUSIC:

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com

All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn 

OTHER:

Logo design by Paulina Szymanska 

RESOURCES

BOOKS:

Highway to Nowhere – Richard Shears

Fate – Neil Mercer

Belanglo: the next chapter – Roger Maynard

Sins of the brother – Mark Whittaker and Les Kennedy

Milat, Inside Australia’s biggest manhunt – Clive Small and Tom Gilling

R V Milat, a case study in cross-examination – Dan Howard

John Marsden, I am what I am – John Marsden

NEWSPAPERS ARCHIVES:

Extensive articles from ‘The Age’ and ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’ newspapers published between 1989 and 1998 were utilised to compile these episodes. The articles were accessed via the website, www.newspapers.com.

VIDEOS:

Crimes that shook the world – The backpacker murderer

THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS

Robinhood – Get a free stock from companies like Apple, Ford and Sprint when you sign up

Quip – Get your first refill pack FREE with a QUIP electric toothbrush

Calm – Get 25% off Calm Premium subscription 

SimpliSafe – Protect your home and your family today. Free shipping, free returns and 60 days risk-free trial

Listen On

[Part 1 of 5]

The Hume Freeway is one of the busiest interstate routes in Australia, linking the countries two most populous cities, Sydney and Melbourne. Stretching for 840 kilometres, the Hume is part of the Auslink National Network, providing a vital connection for freight and transit between the two major East Coast cities.

In 2013, the creation of the Holbrook bypass marked the completion of an extensive overhaul of the roadway, with Sydney and Melbourne now linked by a continuous dual-lane freeway unrestricted by the traffic lights and speed restrictions of passing townships.

But it wasn’t always this way. Prior to the upgrade, the Hume Freeway was the Hume Highway. Those navigating the Old Hume had to drive through a vast number of urban and rural townships, traffic lights, and intersections. Despite the bypass upgrades that occurred throughout the years, one aspect of the Hume has remained the same – it is the only road providing access to the Belanglo State Forest.

Entrance to Belanglo is gained via the Hume, 16 kilometres south of the Southern Highlands town of Bowral, where a sealed road quickly gives way to rocky dirt roads, steep hills, and creek crossings impossible to navigate without an off-road vehicle. Fire trails and a complex network of tracks and paths criss-cross throughout the forest, which is so large and isolated that it is rare to encounter another person whilst visiting.

Despite its splendour and distinctively Australian landscape which continues to attract nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world, those who venture to the secluded forest note the vast space is enveloped by an eerie silence. As visitors turn to the forest entrance, a large ominous sign surrounded by a wall of towering trees warns:

‘Welcome to Belanglo State Forest – Please Be Careful.’

______

Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:

AUSTRALIA:

Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36

Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732

Men's Line:  1300 78 99 78

Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre

USA:

Distress &  Lifeline: 1800 273 8255

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741

Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233

Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846

UK:

Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393

SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000

Samaritans support network: 116 123

National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300

CANADA:

For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call

NEW ZEALAND:

Lifeline: 0800 543354

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)

CREDITS

NARRATION:

Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host

EPISODE:

Episode researched the Anonymous Host

Episode written by Elsha McGill 

MUSIC:

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com

All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn 

OTHER:

Logo design by Paulina Szymanska 

RESOURCES

BOOKS:

Highway to Nowhere – Richard Shears

Fate – Neil Mercer

Belanglo: the next chapter – Roger Maynard

Sins of the brother – Mark Whittaker and Les Kennedy

Milat, Inside Australia’s biggest manhunt – Clive Small and Tom Gilling

R V Milat, a case study in cross-examination – Dan Howard

John Marsden, I am what I am – John Marsden

NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES:

Extensive articles from ‘The Age’ and ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’ newspapers published between 1989 and 1998 were utilised to compile these episodes. The articles were accessed via the website, www.newspapers.com

VIDEOS:

‘Crimes that shook the world’ – The backpacker murderer

THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS

Robinhood – Get a free stock from companies like Apple, Ford and Sprint when you sign up

Calm – Get 25% off Calm Premium subscription

Quip – Get your first refill pack FREE with a QUIP electric toothbrush

SimpliSafe – Protect your home and your family today. Free shipping, free returns and 60 days risk-free trial