18 Facts About Frank Gardiner

Frank Gardiner was an Australian bushranger who became notorious for his lead role in the largest gold heist in Australian history, at Eugowra, New South Wales in June 1862.

Frank Gardiner moved to the United States, where he died in or around 1882.

Frank Gardiner, born Francis Christie, was born in 1830 in Rosshire, Scotland.

Frank Gardiner migrated to Australia as a child in 1834.

In 1850, Frank Gardiner was working as a stockman in central Victoria.

Frank Gardiner was tried under his real name, Christie, at Geelong on 22 October 1850 and sentenced to five years' hard labour.

On 20 March 1851, Frank Gardiner was part of a work party working outside Pentridge Prison when they rushed the guards and escaped.

Frank Gardiner Clarke was granted a ticket-of-leave in December 1859, conditional on him staying in the Carcoar district.

Frank Gardiner then absconded, after which it was discovered he was a prisoner absent from his district.

Frank Gardiner joined with Peisley for a short period and was briefly captured after a gunfight with two troopers at Fogg's hut near Reids Flat.

Treasure hunters still visit the area and it is even rumoured that two Americans who were thought to be Frank Gardiner's nephews visited the Wheogo Station near the Weddins in 1912 claiming to be miners.

Frank Gardiner was recognised and reported to the police in Sydney.

Frank Gardiner was apprehended in controversial circumstances by both NSW police operating outside their jurisdiction and by troopers of the paramilitary Native Police.

Frank Gardiner was taken back to Sydney, and sentenced in July 1864 to 32 years hard labour "on the roads".

In 1872 a petition was organised by Frank Gardiner's sisters seeking Frank Gardiner's early release, prepared for presentation to the newly appointed Governor of New South Wales, Sir Hercules Robinson.

In late 1874, Frank Gardiner arrived in California having travelled via Hong Kong.

Frank Gardiner owned the Twilight Star Saloon on Kearny Street in the Barbary Coast area of San Francisco.

Frank Gardiner was played by John Gavin in the film Frank Gardiner, the King of the Road.