Terowie: Historic Haunted town with a dark past!

I travel to the South Australian town of Terowie to find a town steeped in history, where time seems to stand still. As I do, I dodge the resident ghosts who seem to haunt most of the town's old buildings.
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[@baabaabaa-yp2jh]

Hard name to pronounce mate? If youd seen Terowie up til the 80s it was still thriving.. Both Nanna and mum were born there, grandad worked in Transhipping til it closed.. It was once a mighty little town.

[@mnj640]

True it was. I lived in Peterborough in the early 90s for the cheap housing. Lovely people in those two towns. They were starting to struggle a bit by the time I moved there thanks to losing the trains

[@baabaabaa-yp2jh]

@@mnj640 Me grandad had been stationmaster at Peterborough (and Terowie) they moved you on every two years... Dad started his apprenticeship with SAR at Peterborough, there was near 1500 blokes just at SAR evidently. It's a shame all those towns have died mate, the railway was the lifeline. Progress l spose?

[@manFromPeterborough]

@@mnj640 I lived in Peterborugh since 2011, I don't rate the folk there very highly, the right wing council decided to build the sewerage system some years ago and now flogging everyone $600 F**KING a year on top of the rates. I nick off to Adelaide to escape the boredom 4 times a year for 3-6 week stays with old friends, I get lots of free food dumpster dives Fred's Van and lots of cans & bottles from servo stations bins

[@jmpersonal2402]

South Australia has such a great old style... I trip through once or twice a year, and I value the interaction with the wonderful locals; we need to appreciate them more.

[@KJxxoo]

I agree. We lived in the Riverland for 14 months and I adored the locals. I’ve never met more hospitable people than South Australians.

[@kussemeinkont]

do you have any idea how condescending that is?

[@21stcenturyozman20]

Enjoyed my virtual re-visit to Terowie, which I last saw about seven years ago when I parked for the night at the railway station. On Terowie’s ‘dark history’: In a late ’70s winter, while hitchhiking from Sydney to Adelaide, I got stuck for hours at Peterborough. At around midnight I was picked up by three yobs in an old car. On the outskirts of Terowie, they decided I was no longer a welcome passenger. I had been asleep when I woke to the violent deceleration and wild swerving of the car. Before I’d gathered my wits, the nearest door was jerked open and I was dragged and pushed out, thrown on the gravel verge, and kicked shitless till I lost consciousness. Next thing I knew, it was piccaninny dawn and I was being woken by a passing farmer who’d almost run over me in the dense fog. He loaded me into his tractor's trailer of hay (or some kind of fodder), turned around, and trundled back to the Peterborough police station. The rest of story happened beyond Terowie, so I’ll leave it there for now. Thanks for another great travelogue!

[@LetsGo012]

OMG! I’m glad you lived to tell the tale.

[@apteryx7080]

Reminds me of the film "Wake In Fright". Glad you survived the ordeal.

[@21stcenturyozman20]

@@apteryx7080 There were certainly aspects of WiF to the event - though, fortunately, I wasn’t raped.

[@stephenboon7129]

I lived as a child on the large farm at the rear of the town. Goats and sheep were raised but during the first world war the farmland was used for troop weapons training and light artillery training before being shipped off by troop train to port Pirie. Even went to playgroup at the local school as well. Such a peaceful and quiet town then and now. Great video.

[@LetsGo012]

Great to hear more about the town from a local 😀

[@joereedsmith1531]

I wont tell you what old mate paid for the old cop shop because if you knew your city depression would explode. There are still many bargains to be had in SA if you want to get out of your comfort zone. If not for you as an investment for your kids. You can buy a lovely old stone house over 100 years old with less cracks than a brick house from the 80s in the city and get change from 100k. Cheapest Ive seen recently was 40k for a house that needed 50 spent on it. Rates 800 a year.

[@australianwoman9696]

What about all that asbestos that was dumped at the railway? It's still floating around the place as far as I understand.

[@RustyGarageAus]

Loved it there as a kid Omg Dusty’s kitchen joes deli Mr skinner general store and the art gallery So many memories in that town Got up to lots of mischief 😂

[@sammychicken4290]

Beautifully done. Kind regards from Adelaide, South Australia 🇦🇺

[@Thespiansewist]

“ buckling under the weight of time” Great ! and the yarn of Bob the Dog wow

[@philipreiffel5077]

I was there one Saturday and realized my car was the only one parked in the street!

[@dazzfromaus4797]

@@philipreiffel5077 which town was that. Parrilla or Pinnaroo.

[@michelleusher2499]

My grandpa was born in Pinnaroo

[@dazzfromaus4797]

Both.

[@dazzfromaus4797]

@@michelleusher2499 so was mine.he lived his whole life there.

[@greyhairedphantom4038]

Drank in the two pubs there in the late eighties, when i helped build a house for Max Hams on Kiltilpi Station (near Waite Hill)😊. The single storey pubs closed while i was working there.

[@RealHooksy]

I stop at Terowie semi regularly. It’s a cool old town. A good side trip from there is the childhood home of Sir Hubert Wilkins. A fascinating man and worthy of a video by himself.

[@shaungoldsworthy8942]

Thank you for that, I lived there about 55yrs ago as a kid, I still remember a lot of the buildings, I need to visit

[@seansimpson7245]

Hi Terry 👋 I've seen many vlogs about Burra & Terowie , your the first to do more in-depth history than most . If I was a spirt I'd be cranky to if both the pubs were closed 😅 Well done 👏 ✔️

[@LetsGo012]

I’m glad you enjoyed the videos 😀

[@theantibecky9837]

Love the sandstone home. I used to work in Peterborough, Terowie always creeped me out lol.

[@angelawillott3699]

When U said you was a complete history nerd you got me ....I subscribed very quickly....love your channel and what your doing ❤

[@ytthecommunistplatform.2675]

My mums side of her family lived in Terowie . They came to aus in 1837 . The malony's were a part of that town . My uncle basil used to run the movie theartre . I used to visit it as a kid ..

[@jeetts59]

Like so many of these towns, I tend to drive through and that’s a pitty as you show they all have a story and interesting history. BTW, at 7.47 when you were talking about a ghost, an item on the shelf behind you moved ever so slightly. Interesting.

[@helenharrison6796]

Enjoyed👍your video. Thank you. Subscribed. A friend and I had a sojourn in South Australia in 2001, and we visited a few little towns north of Adelaide. We found that remains of a convent like structure in Kapunda rather eerie, especially at dusk. Not sure if it's true, I've read that Kapunda is the most haunted place in S.A. 🤔 Warm regards from chilly Melbourne. Cheers 🤗

[@LetsGo012]

Thanks & welcome aboard 😀 I’ve been through Kapunda but missed that one

[@epsilonvonvehron5820]

Unfortunately the old catholic girl’s reformatory at Kapunda was bulldozed in 2001. You might have been one of the last to experience the place. Assuming that is what you’re talking about. It featured in a documentary with Warwick Moss around 2000 where he claimed Kapunda was the most haunted town in Oz. It’s on KZbin, poor Warwick was brought to tears after staying there at night. Vandalism, parties, ghost hunters and witchcraft ceremonies were reasons given for its destruction. Such a shame because it was historically important, being the site of the oldest church in the area and associations with Mary McKillop. The story of the old priest, accused of being mad and abusive to the girls, who lived there alone for years after it was closed is a fascinating tale. Even Mary McKillop mentioned ghosts at the site before the reformatory was set up, although what she said was she saw no prescence there (four priests had sudden deaths there over eight years).

[@jannalenefensom4130]

I lived in Kapunda when I was between 5 to 7. Im now 49,so 40 years ago. I loved that town and nothing was wird. I now live in Darwin and I can tell you its differentfor sure

[@stevenjohannesen88]

Excellent video & history lesson! Good job Terry, ❤️

[@AndrewCastlemaine]

Excellent video and a great review of one of South Australia's many interesting little towns. Have subscribed and look forward to your next video 👍

[@bill13690]

Great video. Thank you for creating and sharing with us.

[@Fiona_Chasing_Light]

Great and informative video - I have been to Terowie but didn't realise you could actually access so much. I'm so impressed with this, and look forward to watching other videos. Also fascinating to read the comments, to add to the history and exploration of this fascinating little ghost town in SA.

[@jasonrosewarne6762]

What a fascinating old town, fantastic tour Terry, thanks for sharing it's stories

[@brutechurchill]

I was going to buy a house in Terowie 10 years ago. It was $23000 and needed alot of work. The laundry room had 6ft 5in ceilings. I'm 6ft 1in tall. One of the locals told me 'dont buy here, this place is weird' I ended up buying at Hawker but often drive thru Terowie and wonder what might have been.

[@LetsGo012]

Terowie is a fascinating town…but there’s something about it…

[@KJxxoo]

That’s fascinating. I wonder what they meant by “weird”.. like supernatural things occur? The people are weird? I wish they’d elaborated more.

[@catey62]

Do you know why they said 'this place is weird" at all? my brother and his wife stopped there on their travels one day about a year ago and said they got some , how would you call it, strange vibes. maybe because its almost deserted?

[@catey62]

@@LetsGo012 My brother and his wife said the same about it as well. I'm wondering if it has something to do with there being Indigenous scared sites nearby? I was listening to a talk given by a church pastor many years ago, who lived at Elizabeth Grove. and he experienced some strange happenings at his house, and he did some research, and found his area was actually some sacred site in the times before white man arrived.

[@BKizHEREtoSTAYgames]

There was a pretty messed up murder that happened there a while ago, found the guy in a fireplace. Two people were caught for it and they were transported to two different hospitals, a friend of mine was a paramedic in one of those ambos. They said that once the main culprit knew they were getting split up he went troppo in the ambo and he had to be restrained by the medics and the police transporting him

[@matthewferguson3206]

Awesome job...love it looking forward for the next one 😊😊

[@LetsGo012]

Thanks so much 😀

[@glenndarragh4417]

Thanks for posting this look at a fascinating little town, a real gem !

[@LetsGo012]

You’re welcome. It really is a gem

[@PhillipMcCallum]

Visited early this year, dad and his 4 brothers were born there, surname Mcallum. Early 1920s. General Macarthur visited

[@joereedsmith1531]

Terowie comes under the Goyder Regional Council who consider everywhere north of Burra not worthy of a having a cent being spent on it.

[@NavisRetroWorld]

what a beautiful and unique little town! thanks for showing us around Terry, great video as always!

[@LetsGo012]

Yes. A fascinating hidden gem of a town

[@Kerri6024]

-cast iron mooulds for the shoes - they're called "lasts"

[@dynamadnessadventures205]

Great video awesome little town

[@wimmeraparanormal6581]

From 1942-45, there were 1000's of US troops stationed here. It was a logistics hub for trains carrying weapons, ammunition, food etc to the NT and beyond. There was a hushed up story of 2 US servicemen who committed suicide in a pact on the outskirts of town where the rifle range is next to the main road. Their ghosts are meant to haunt the area.

[@Whiterabbit42]

Excellent clip, Thanks.

[@PamelaAnderson-bw9hs]

Oh thank u for this..blessings love n light to all keep up the great work..it's great

[@mick00000000002]

Thank you. History not lost because of you. It's on KZbin. Thank you. Mick wollongong)😊

[@DrewsAdventuresGo]

Hi Terry new subscriber here. I remember my then partner and I visited Terowie and saw the home where Martin Meffert was "unalived" and explored the main street. Poor fellow never stood a chance, it seems. I think also the unaliver was related to Martin in some way. The town is actually beautiful but equally peculiarly spooky for not just the recent past. Thank you for taking us around it here.

[@jaymannewell]

That house has been demolished, it is just an empty block, and i could tell the whole sordid tale, technically he was killed in a caravan out the back of the house, the remains of the caravan minus the floor is on another block about 10kms away.

[@IntrepidsRus]

@@jaymannewell Hi Drew! When was it demolished @jaymannewell? . I have an abandoned explore video inside the house from a few years ago.

[@jaymannewell]

@@IntrepidsRus 2016 from memory. I sat by that fireplace in 2008, before the remains were even hung in the chimney where they were found. They were only half the remains and moved there approx 5 years after the incident. Go have a look now, it is a bare dirt block.

[@melissafarrugia9531]

Thanks for doing this, loved hearing about Bob the Dog Surely there needs to be a movie script written about some of his travels What a beautiful true story Crazy history buff too, so thoroughly enjoyed watching this and have subscribed to see more

[@bronwyndobbins282]

I was born on North Bungaree Station, south of Spalding. We used to go on family drives every now and then, Terowie was one of our favourite places, so was Magnetic Hill.

[@manFromPeterborough]

I took my fat Ebike for a day tour to Yatina, Black Rock, Magnetic Hill, Orroroo, return to Peterborough 80Km total

[@PhillipMcCallum]

I missed the recent celebrations for the general visit, The flying Scotsman visited the town, a old rail town were trains from the west were unload and loaded on to train heading east dur to different gauge

[@Colin1342]

Great video Terry. I’ve been through Terowie a few times but didn’t stop to look around. I’m going back to SA this year so I’ll definitely have a look and maybe stay the night. Cheers.

[@wazza33racer]

Whyte Yarcowie has (or had) the record for being the coldest place in South Australia. I have seen it at -8C at Yunta, and nearby Peterborough had a winter in the 1990's when sheep dropped off for a sale the next day, were found dead from freezing cold the next morning in the yards.

[@jaymannewell]

The 3 Y's is the old timers saying, Yunta, Yongala and Yarcowie, one of the 3 gets SA coldest place record almost every year. I have seen -14 in Yarcowie, Snow on Mt Sly 3 times and -17 at 5kms S/E of Yongala.

[@wazza33racer]

@@jaymannewell Yes, Yarcowie is infamous, I can also remember a day at Hawker, at 10am and it was snowing, about 1993 I think.

[@trep17mag]

I thought Naracoorte and the SE was the coldest area of SA?

[@jannalenefensom4130]

I lived at Yunta when I was VERY youn

[@trep17mag]

@@jannalenefensom4130 what's there at Yunta? I grew up in inner suburban Melbourne and have never been on that road up there.

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Cast iron shoes would of been from a Old School shoe boot maker 😊

[@InfiniteSoul91]

I lived near Terowie between Whyte Yarcowie and Jamestown. Had to drive by Terowie on my way to work in Peterborough. Terowie always had a foreboding feeling to me. Consequently i never stopped in but after watching your video i kind of wish i had 💙🌏💙

[@stephenwilkins2854]

Thank you,

[@sherylbrown6943]

Subscribed and thank you .. looking forward to seeing more ❤I was born in broken Hill .

[@user-lv9cy9xn9z]

Really well narrated & interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelnugara1]

Loved this video mate. Definitely dropping in there.

[@annettemclean1922]

We love the place and my Husband always talks about buying a house up there - though we never have...yet!!! I remember when we first went there, we went into the museum, shops, art gallery and old places - the mannequins there really are a wee bit spooky!! But we love spooky things anyway hahaha...... It would be great at Halloween hahaha..... I love towns with dark histories, it makes them more interesting I find... Must go there again soon - thank you for showing us through the town again Terry...

[@AbandonedAngel]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video 😊 well put together thank you for the walk about 😊

[@markstone7142]

Thank you for showcasing Terowie. I lived in the 'Top' pub (the 2 storied pub) in the 1970's as a kid when my Mum and Dad were supposed to be buying it from the alcoholic owners who reneged on seeing the potential that my old man brought to the pub. I could see the front of my room on the top floor in your vid... so many forgetful memories. Just the same, it was good to see what was - to what it is. It's now a ghost town and deserves to be. But, strangely, I still have some curiosity that I'll try to muster and may visit at some time. I remember the general store keeper who always burnt our pasties that were bought and delivered for our school lunch. A truly unique past as you well presented by you... thank you for presenting this.

[@lawnerddownunder3461]

I've always loved that building. It's just beautiful.

[@diane1390]

Thanks for the tour of that lovely town, I'd love to live there.

[@alfiewashere.695]

South Australia has heaps of little old towns like this just waiting to have people repopulate them.

[@themessenger5868]

Love it...thanks for this video. I love doing this sort of thing...I've just been to Kalgoorlie to do some exploring. I too am a history nerd. Peace from Perth, WA

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Wow, thank you for sharing. Always interesting to find out country towns in Australia in the middle of nowhere and still people love living there isn’t it? Wonderful thank you once again

[@jessanna4138]

I really enjoyed this video, thank you! You're very enjoyable to watch. You seem like a lovely guy and you have an infectious smile ☺️

[@LetsGo012]

😊

[@perrydowd9285]

Just found your channel and subbed bro. Great channel.

[@LetsGo012]

Thanks so much & welcome aboard 😀

[@peterasser9571]

Love your channel Terry - keep up the van life travels and hope to meet you one day.

[@incredingo]

i missed that town but was in peterborough. saw the statue of bob the dog there and got pics and a fridge magnet of him. the whole story of bob is really interesting. thanks for this video.

[@whispersintherealmofdarkne6282]

Pretty sure I went through this town just recently on our travels from Queensland to Perth but there were alot like these types of towns on the way , and it was really mind blowing but also really cool 😊it really gives you a look into a different way of living than our usual busy way of life and j can appreciate these quiet empty country towns ..thankyou for your content it's nice to hear the stories and get a actual look on the inside of these buildings as often you just drive past because your set on a destination 😅 (although j did stop in various small towns of course ! ) I also would love to hear more on the ghost stories 🥰 ghosts, abandoned half fallen down building ..LOVE 😊 and the guy living in an old cop station with those old doors ? Dark history ? So cool !! I am most defiently now subscribed 😊

[@yellowtree55-gr2ws]

shame the railway sign is in half, when I visited in 2020 the sign was still complete.

[@haydenwittig8877]

One of the TV networks should employ you beautifully presented what you did was capturing the Audience with Story telling Im a Paranormal Researcher have to go there frequent Hill End in NSW another very Haunted gold Town again 5 stars.

[@icascone]

What a great video!! And amazing history!

[@LetsGo012]

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@trep17mag]

I have a relative from Murray Bridge who owns an old church in Terowie and lives in it when he's up there.

[@giftsofmercyjewelry7527]

i just asked my parents if we could drive to Terowie next time I'm back in south Australia. The fact a lot of the shops are little museums interests me so much like you I'm a history buff. To many cafes and artists would probs ruin the place and im an artist who loves coffee, turn the empty places into more museums🤣 its only two and half hours drive from Adelaide city! figured it was north just from your video that landscape is so unique to that part of the world.

[@ontheroadaustralia-soleman1911]

Great video mate.

[@Killedbyclowns]

Best town for photos Love this place even if it is a little creepy but that’s what I enjoy last time we went met a very knowledgeable man who was happy to share the history he knew He had just bought one of the old churches & was doing it up

[@greyhairedphantom4038]

Drank in the two pubs there in the late eighties, when i helped build a house for Max Hams on Kiltilpi Station. The single storey pubs closed while i was working there.

[@lawnerddownunder3461]

I remember drinking in the single story pub in 2009. It must've closed not long after

[@kenbailey3478]

Thanks for the vidios very informative 👍

[@graeme8755]

Hi Terry, the heavy do dad you pick up and mentioned they made the shoes from that it. It is called a Boot makers Last. My dad had one to repair our shoes at home.

[@geoffthecarpenter]

I've spent alot of time in that town and never got to visit any of the historic open buildings, I knew the previous owner of the police station and it is very haunted, alot of history there, I wish I could buy the whole town and turn it into a real time warp. Thanks for the video 👍

[@LetsGo012]

Ask at the information centre. They were really helpful 😀

[@ng5265]

I really enjoyed your video. New subscriber. ❤️

[@jimmydickson8854]

That was a bright idea building two rail lines different widths ,who was in charge then some muppets with no sence

[@caronwilliamson951]

I love Terowie ,i live just down the road , I've looked at living there, maybe one-day

[@kayenash5481]

Very interesting, thank you😃

[@SkaTim]

I used to work up there 20/25yrs or so ago. Beautiful little town with great history. All ruined by a load rotten people up from the city because housing was cheap. Hope it’s changed now.

[@philporter9957]

Sorry to nit-pick, but it is Terowie, not Terowrie (at least that what it sounds like you’re saying)?? Otherwise, this is great. Keep it up!

[@dee-smart]

I've been to Terowie a few times. I live near Gawler north of Adelaide so like to go to these outback getaways. I can't understand why Gen Douglas McArthur had to go from Darwin to Adelaide in the very south of Australia to end up back in Brisbane in the north east. Why not just go from Darwin to Brisbane? That is a long trip the way he did it. Didn't read that about the town when I was there and never heard about McArthur's visit to Adelaide either and I am an Adelaidean born and bred. Thankyou for the informative video.

[@lawnerddownunder3461]

I love Terowie.

[@warwick3805]

I have walked the streets and been pissed in the pubs had quite a few good times in Terowie. 😇😇

[@gregmcgrath4765]

Great video. Please do a video on peterborough :)

[@vascoemyer]

thank you - really interesting

[@jannalenefensom4130]

Theres a sad but true fact that SA sold off their Railway lines for bugger all. They could have kept it and used them for weekend getaways and travel but NO, they sadly sold it al off and left it to decline. Imagine the tourism these places could have if they reinvented them!! Thanks for the history

[@peterlaws1653]

that was great thanks

[@JulieMcNally]

Yep l could live there no worries 🦘

[@helenlesleysmith7559]

You wouldn't say that if you knew the sort of ppl that live there😮

[@jesuswarrior6468]

Yeah people are f...ked around here

[@manFromPeterborough]

I'm still yet to do a bike tour to Terowie then dirt road Boobrowie Rd back to PB

[@manFromPeterborough]

@@jesuswarrior6468 Peterborough too

[@timothylanders3189]

Looks the place to be ;)

[@Rebekahjane]

Grandfather had a large farm here. Big house with a full wrap around porch. I've wanted to go there and try to find out if the house still stands, but I haven't been there since I was about 4 years old... 30 years ago... I'd have no clue where to look

[@judedawe1518]

It's pronounced Ter-ow-wee!!! not terowree!! as a local to the district its lovely That you are teaching people about our history, but please get the town names correct!! we are very proud of our towns and heritage in South Australia ❤

[@francfurian8215]

Don't get too precious about it, we all know what he meant to say . At least now we all know some history about the Terowie😊

[@judedawe1518]

@@francfurian8215 no worries, I'll just cal you Francine then, that will be fine with you I'm sure you wont get precious about that either 😂

[@rebmedina2835]

I've known it since I was a baby. Had to drove thru to get to Peterborough

[@Helen-by7yf]

My Grandfather was born in Terowie my great grandparents Bernard and Till Cullen owned a shop there I saw the Cullen name on the board in the town

[@jannalenefensom4130]

But now I remember going through this township with my partner at the time and it was the site sadly remembered for the murder, sad but true

[@stanjones2038]

Why the ghosts are angry is the pub has no beer

[@lisamoss5796]

I think my Nanna was from Terowie, her Dad was a policeman there. Christopher Provis.

[@cathyconway-archer3476]

It was the creepiest place I have ever been. I reckon it is a very sinister place!

[@hopeeldridge4930]

My grandparents lived here I stayed school holidays early 1990s

[@trep17mag]

I'm Victorian and into railways. So the line went south from Terowie to where? Did it go through Burra? So the main line goes through Peterborough? Why did Terowie get bypassed? This station reminds me of Marree, ghost platforms!

[@MySteamChannel]

I was there for the last steam locomotive through Terowie! (can be seen on my channel)

[@stuartgray3384]

The peace and quiet of dogs barking

[@michelleusher2499]

South Australia is one of the most haunted places, have you gone to St. Cecilias, very haunted.

[@louiskats5116]

Thank you for sharing. Last time I was there was 1994 doesn't seem like much has changed. Do you still go through Terowie to get to Peterborough ? Cheers Louis Kats 👍

[@LetsGo012]

Yes the road from Burra to Peterborough goes past Terowie

[@louiskats5116]

@@LetsGo012 👍👍👍

[@karengayehammat4199]

🌞The beautiful impervious Maitland bank sold for $150K a few years ago I wanted that and didn't go for it like I should have because my umbilical cord is impervious too