There’s a place in Sydney famed for being a hippy haven with a chequered past.

During the 1970s, the inner-east suburb of Kings Cross — or The Cross, as locals call it — was a magnet for free spirits, artists, and US soldiers returning from the Vietnam War.

It also has a dark history of sex, crime and drugs.

In the early days after Elaine Johnson went missing, her younger sisters, Helen and Wendy, were too young to search for her beyond their neighbourhood in the Shire.

Instead, they relied on their parents for any news about Elaine’s whereabouts.

Years later, they would uncover new details — ones that would lead them to search north of the Shire and Kings Cross to a small town with a motocross track.

Searching for Elaine is a series from Out From The Cold, part of Happy Tuesday Productions.

If you have information about Elaine Johnson or Kerri Ann Joel, you can get in touch at Help Find Elaine Johnson or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Searching for Elaine was produced by Kate Kachor and Sally Spicer, editing by Dan McHugh and Matt Haywood, artwork by Nic Watts.

'Wildflowers' by Jess Ribeiro.