Territory Famous

Kellie Arrowsmith

Territory Famous explores the Northern Territory where crocodiles lurk, rivers run wild, and the landscapes are as dangerous as they are beautiful. Host Kellie Arrowsmith dives deep into true crime, unsolved disappearances, and bizarre outback mysteries, capturing the courage and resilience of the people who call the Top End home.

  1. Aug 9

    Cahills Crossing: The Warnings Are There for a Reason

    I apologise in advance for my voice in this episode! I’ve been quite sick this week and I’m still getting my voice back, so this is a shorter episode than usual. I had a much bigger episode planned for this week, but I really wanted to get something out for you guys rather than nothing at all. And when I saw the recent footage from Cahills Crossing, I couldn’t believe what I was watching. Cahills Crossing, on the East Alligator River in Kakadu National Park, is one of those places that has become almost infamous for people underestimating the danger. There are warning signs, a viewing platform and plenty of information telling visitors to keep away from the water, but people still get dangerously close. In this episode, I talk about the recent viral footage showing children playing right at the water’s edge while a large saltwater crocodile moves through the water nearby. Experts who examined the footage said the crocodile appeared to be following a fish rather than deliberately approaching the children, but that doesn’t make the situation any less dangerous. I also look back at two confirmed fatal crocodile attacks at Cahills Crossing. In 1987, 40-year-old Kerry McLoughlin was killed while fishing at the crossing. I found contemporary reporting from the time which included eyewitness accounts of the attack and some incredible details about what happened that day. I also talk about the 2017 death of a 47-year-old man who disappeared while crossing the river. One of the most powerful accounts I found came from former Northern Territory police officer Sam, who was involved in the search and recovery operation. Sam later spoke about what happened and the impact of seeing someone he knew die in such horrific circumstances. I also share my own experience crossing a croc-infested river in the Territory and why river crossings still make me extremely nervous. This is a shorter episode, but I wanted to talk about Cahills Crossing because the recent footage was a pretty confronting reminder that the warnings aren't there for decoration. The crocodiles were there first. Maybe I'll come back to Cahills Crossing in a future episode and tell some of the other crazy stories from the crossing, because there are plenty of them. Territory Famous is a podcast about Northern Territory stories, true crime, Territory history, folklore, strange characters and the unbelievable things that actually happened in the Top End. Thanks for sticking with me while my voice recovers. ❤️ CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses fatal crocodile attacks and death. Find Territory Famous wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Territory Famous on social media for episode updates, photos, videos and other Territory stories. Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/ "Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia Follow Territory Famous: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520 Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/ Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok

  2. Aug 2

    The Case of Valerie Wurramara: A Groote Eylandt Mystery

    In this episode of Territory Famous, I explore the case of Valerie Wurramara and the investigation that followed on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory. Using publicly available court documents and other official records, I take you through the timeline of events, the police investigation, the evidence presented, and the court proceedings, while separating fact from speculation. As always, this episode is told with respect for those involved, their families and the communities affected. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Warning: This episode contains the name of a deceased Aboriginal person and discusses events surrounding her passing. I acknowledge that this may be distressing for some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners. I have done my best to pronounce Aboriginal names and place names respectfully. If I have unintentionally mispronounced any names or words, I sincerely apologize. It was never my intention to cause offence, and I appreciate your understanding. Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of death, police investigations, court proceedings, violence and grief. Listener discretion is advised. Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/ "Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia Follow Territory Famous: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520 Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/ Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok

  3. Jul 26

    The Stuart Highway Mystery: The Joshua & Deborah Mason Case

    In 2022, a disturbing discovery on the Stuart Highway left Northern Territory police with more questions than answers. A human leg had been found beside the highway, but police didn’t know who it belonged to, what had happened, or whether there was a missing person somewhere out there. What followed was an investigation that slowly pieced together the events of one night — a crash, a decision not to call police, and an attempt to conceal what had happened. In this episode, I take you through the events leading up to the crash, the investigation that eventually uncovered the truth, and the very different roles played by Joshua Mason and his mother, Deborah. I also look at their lives before the offending, the circumstances surrounding their decisions that night, and what the judge considered when sentencing them. This is a story about a woman who lost her life, a family left grieving, and the consequences of the decisions made afterwards. This episode discusses death, grief, alcohol, drug use, mental health, suicide and criminal offending. Territory Famous is a podcast about true stories, true crime, NT history, folklore and the people and events that have shaped the Northern Territory. Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/ "Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia Follow Territory Famous: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520 Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/ Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok

  4. Jul 19

    The Night a Plane Was Stolen in Alice Springs

    In August 2000, a quiet morning at Alice Springs Airport turned into one of the Territory’s most unusual aviation tragedies. Bryan Dallos had been receiving treatment for serious mental illness when he left the hospital where he was being cared for. Days later, he entered the general aviation area of Alice Springs Airport, gained access to an aircraft, and took off in a plane he was not trained to fly. The flight ended in tragedy when the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off, leaving behind a series of questions that would be examined during a Northern Territory coronial inquest. In this episode of Territory Famous, we look at Bryan Dallos’ story, the events leading up to the crash, the investigation, and the recommendations that followed, including questions around mental health services, communication between agencies, airport security, and aviation crash investigations in the Northern Territory. This is a story about a tragic chain of events, a complex set of circumstances, and the difficult questions left behind after a life was lost. Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/ "Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia Follow Territory Famous: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520 Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/ Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok

  5. Jun 29

    Alice Springs House Fire: What the Inquest Found

    This episode covers the coronial inquest findings into the death of Mitchell Thomas following a fatal house fire in the Northern Territory. The coroner concluded the fire was caused by electrical arcing in degraded wiring located in the roof cavity of the home. The property was public housing, built in the late 1980s, and evidence presented during the inquest highlighted long-standing maintenance and electrical safety concerns consistent with broader issues in parts of the NT housing system. Mitchell Thomas died as a result of smoke inhalation during the rapid escalation of the fire. The inquest focused heavily on the condition of the property, inspection processes, and whether the housing environment met appropriate safety standards. Following the findings, the coroner issued recommendations aimed at improving electrical safety oversight, maintenance systems, and inspection regimes within NT Housing. The death was ruled accidental, with no evidence of suspicious circumstances or criminal involvement. Instead, the findings highlighted systemic failures in housing maintenance as a key contributing factor. This episode explores the inquest outcome, the broader safety concerns raised, and what the case reveals about housing conditions and risk in remote and public housing contexts in the Northern Territory. Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/ "Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia Follow Territory Famous: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520 Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/ Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok

About

Territory Famous explores the Northern Territory where crocodiles lurk, rivers run wild, and the landscapes are as dangerous as they are beautiful. Host Kellie Arrowsmith dives deep into true crime, unsolved disappearances, and bizarre outback mysteries, capturing the courage and resilience of the people who call the Top End home.

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