My First ABC Radio National Interview: A Conversation on Urban Exploration

Well, this was exciting! My first-ever ABC Radio National interview, and I had the pleasure of sharing the experience with my friend Tim Frawley from Abandoned Australia.

It was great to finally meet Cassie McCullagh in person and have the opportunity to discuss the intricacies of urban exploration—why we do it, the stories behind forgotten places, and the ethical debates that come with documenting abandoned buildings.

Stepping Into the Studio

Sitting on the couch in the waiting area, my palms were sweating, nerves kicking in as I anticipated going on air. But once we started talking, the atmosphere was surprisingly welcoming, and those fears quickly dissolved. Before I knew it, the interview had wrapped up, and I found myself wishing we had more time—especially to dive deeper into a topic I’m passionate about: the ethics of urban exploration.

The Ethics Debate: A Matter of Perspective

This is where things get complicated. Some critics argue that locations should never be disclosed in order to protect them. But the way I see it, photography is about storytelling, and stories need context. My work isn't just about capturing forgotten places—it’s about acknowledging the communities, businesses, and history tied to them. These spaces deserve to be remembered, not left to fade into obscurity.

That being said, I don’t disclose exact locations, nor do I advocate for unauthorized access. If you don’t own a building and don’t have permission to be there, then—like it or not—you have no more credibility than any other trespasser, whether they’re an urban explorer, copper thief, or squatter. There’s also an irony in the argument that explorers shouldn’t break in, yet many rely on someone else doing so first in order to gain access themselves.

Urban exploration exists in a grey area, and it’s a conversation worth having.

Listen to the Full Interview

Click here to listen to the full interview

From Detroit to Dubrovnik, there’s a global fascination with abandoned spaces—capturing the haunting beauty of decayed theme parks, derelict power stations, and empty concert halls. In Australia, our own “ruin porn” subculture documents forgotten power plants, factories, hospitals, and stadiums.

But why are we drawn to these images? And where do we draw the ethical line?

It was an honor to be part of this conversation on ABC Radio National, a platform dedicated to exploring the ideas that shape our society.

What are your thoughts on the ethics of urban exploration? Let’s keep the discussion going.