Adelaide True Crime Tours

  Let’s set the scene: You’re browsing an online auction site, looking for a quirky piece to jazz up your living room. You scroll past the usual suspects—vintage footy jerseys, porcelain cats, maybe a slightly haunted mirror—when suddenly you spot it: “Original Painting by John Bunting, Snowtown Murders.” Would you buy it? Or would you run for the hills (and maybe sage your house for good measure)? The Weird World of True Crime Collecting Believe it or not, there’s a thriving market for “murderabilia”—collectibles connected to infamous criminals. We’re talking letters, art, even locks of hair (ew). Some folks see them as historical artefacts; others, as the ultimate conversation starter—“Oh, that painting? It’s by a notorious serial killer. Now, who wants dip?” But things get really spicy when the criminal in question is local. Here in Adelaide, the name John Bunting stirs up a lot more than just curiosity. The Snowtown Murders are the stuff of legend (and nightmares), and anythi...

  Why you should always carry spare clothes—and never ask about that smell. By Niki Gent Let’s be honest: when people picture correctional work, they imagine high-stakes drama, daring escapes, and maybe the occasional noodle-fuelled brawl. What they don’t see? The daily hazards that come with the job—namely, bodily fluids in every variety and a collection of mystery stains that would make even CSI back away slowly. So, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like on the inside, buckle up (and maybe grab some gloves). Here’s a peek into the glamorous, slightly soggy world of correctional work. The Golden Rule: Never Trust a “Clean” Surface If you’re the type who wipes down gym equipment before you use it, correctional work will turn you into a full-blown germaphobe. Every surface is a potential biohazard. If it looks spotless, it probably just means someone’s had a go at cleaning up after the last “incident.” Pro tip: always check before you sit. The Bodily Fluids Bingo Blood, swe...

  Spoiler: It’s not all cigarettes and mobile phones. Sometimes it’s… a budgie. Yes, really. By Niki Gent Let’s get one thing straight: if you think the wildest thing smuggled into jail is a mobile phone, you’re in for a treat (or possibly mild psychological trauma). After years working behind bars, I can confirm—human creativity knows absolutely no bounds, especially when it comes to sneaking stuff into places it definitely shouldn’t be. Cigarettes? Please. That’s Amateur Hour. Sure, everyone’s heard of the old “cigarettes in the shoe” trick. Phones wrapped in cling film and hidden in places you’d rather not imagine? Standard. But that’s just the tip of the contraband iceberg. The Budgie Incident (Yes, the Bird) Let’s start with the headline act: the day a woman tried to smuggle a live budgie into the visiting room. I wish I was making this up. There we were, doing the usual checks, when we heard a faint chirping. Not the kind of sound you expect in a correctional facility. After ...