Hundreds of outback burial sites uncovered by Dave 'the Grave' Hunter
Ground-penetrating radar technology has helped identify two cemeteries that a regional council did not know existed.
In far-west New South Wales, the Central Darling Shire Council has uncovered over 600 unmarked graves using ground-penetrating radar, without disturbing the earth. Ground-penetrating radar operator Dave Hunter, known as "Dave the Grave Hunter," discovered the sites without ever using a shovel. This technology detects disturbances in the soil, measuring electrical resistivity.
Hunter first began searching for unmarked graves as a teenager, honing his skills with a rudimentary radar. In July 2025, the council contracted him to search for lost graves in Menindee and White Cliffs. He found more than 300 burials in each location, connected to existing cemeteries. Hunter expressed satisfaction in seeing the markers on previously lost graves, particularly in Menindee.
The council's cemetery officer, Tammie McMaster, is now working to identify the individuals buried. She hopes to honor the dead and provide closure to families. The project aims to improve future cemetery planning and respectfully acknowledge the deceased. Unmarked graves are common in Australia due to various reasons, including the method of burial or lost records.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
