As night falls over Australia, its darker side reveals itself to those brave enough to look.
From paranormal prisons to haunted historic sites, discover more of the best ghost tours on offer around the country. Be warned, some of these are not for the faint of heart.
Prepare to send your pulse racing and your mind spinning as you encounter unreal creatures and spirits.
Discover historic hauntings in Port Arthur Historic Site, TAS
Australia’s largest convict settlement may be a spectacular mix of historic buildings and heritage gardens during the day, but it is haunted by ghosts and ghouls when the sun sets. On a 90-minute lantern-lit ghost tour, you will discover the mysterious stories of the penal era, when more than 1000 people died at the port. Since 1870, documented ghost stories have been interlinked with Port Arthur’s history, and many visitors continue to recount paranormal activity on their visit.
Led by a knowledgeable guide, tour groups will be taken through buildings and ruins including places like the Penitentiary, which housed hundreds of convicts in dormitories and solitary cells, and the Separate Prison, where harsh physical punishment was replaced with punishment of the mind. In each location, you will hear vivid stories of unexplained events that have baffled convicts, soldiers and visitors alike. Keep an eye out for a woman in a blue dress standing in doorways, who many visitors claim to see on tour.
Whether it’s for the rich history or to witness unexplainable events, these grounds are worth discovering.
Meet the diseased and dangerous at Q Station, NSW
On the edge of Sydney Harbour, the Quarantine Station served as a stop between potentially sick immigrants and the rest of the country when early settlers docked on the shores. From the 1830s until 1984, thousands of people passed through the doors, but some weren’t as lucky. Roughly 600 people died from diseases like scarlet fever, smallpox and Spanish influenza, still haunting the site to this day.
On a 2.5 hour Ghostly Encounters tour, you will discover stories of untimely deaths and restless spirits that many claim still linger in the halls of this station.Visitors claim to capture ghosts on camera, hear voices when alone, and even say they’ve been shoved when entering the first-class shower block.
For the brave of heart, the Paranormal Investigation tour is your chance to hunt ghosts on an exclusively 18+ experience. Equipped with real ghost hunting gear, including EVP recorders, infrared camera and SLS cameras, you will be led by paranormal investigators into off-limits buildings as you try to capture evidence of the spirits that have haunted the Q Station for more than 150 years.
Learn Aboriginal myths at Devil’s Pool, Qld
Babinda Boulders is a visually stunning spot known for its cool water and tropical surrounds.… but it also goes by another name more suited to its reputation: Devil’s Pool. Since 1959, 17 people have lost their lives. Many weren’t even swimming – simply slipping into the waters and being swept away.
Devil’s Pool is also part of an Aboriginal legend. According to the tale, a young woman named Oolana married a respected elder from her tribe, Waroonoo. However, she fell in love with a man from a visiting tribe, named Dyga, and they tried to run away together. Sadly, they were caught at Babinda Boulders, where Oolana then threw herself into the waterhole. It’s said that her spirit is still searching for Dyga, luring men to their deaths in the depths.
The most recent death was in 2008, when James Bennett, swimming in a calm area, was violently pulled as if by ‘an invisible hand’ toward churning waters known as the ‘Washing Machine’. He ultimately sank to the depths and was found three days later. Nearby, a plaque marks the passing of an earlier victim: “He came for a visit and stayed forever.”
Investigate paranormal activity in Geelong Gaol, VIC
Just over an hour outside of Melbourne, Geelong Gaol has been a prison for dangerous criminals, an industrial school for girls, a hospital for sick and dying prisoners, a military detention centre and a training prison. It was also the scene of six executions, including the first and only public execution on site in 1854.
After dark, brave souls can enter the prison gates and tour the historic building, haunted by stories of convicts and murderers who lived on site for decades. More dedicated ghost fans should book a Paranormal Investigation tour, where an expert paranormal investigator will lead your team through one of the most haunted prisons in Australia, using a range of ghost-hunting equipment. While school groups and children are allowed on the ghost tour, you must be 18+ to join a paranormal investigation.
Men beware when visiting East Point Reserve, NT
East Point Reserve is Darwin’s largest park area, popular with locals and tourists who spend the day making use of the playground, barbecues, bike paths and exercise equipment. But, after dark, it becomes a dark and haunted area. It has been said that unlucky night-time visitors will run into the Poinciana Woman, who haunts the flaming poinciana trees. The victim of a gruesome act, she hanged herself from the tree.
Now, her malevolent spirit haunts the area, black hair covering her face, in search of men to take revenge upon. Some say she first appears as a white-robed, long-haired beauty, who transforms into a wild-haired, eagle-clawed hag just before feeding on her victims’ guts. If you’re curious, rumour has it that can you summon her by spinning around three times and calling her name on a moonless night. Good luck.
Discover bodies and bones at the National Film and Sound Archive, ACT
Now known as the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA), this building in Canberra was first the Institute of Anatomy for more than 50 years. The Institute was used for dissection and the study of bodies, including those of soldiers and others that were acquired by suspicious means. It was also home to Canberra’s first morgue, and has an infamous reputation for its scientific experiments.
On a ghost tour with Tim the Yowie Man, visitors will discover the ghoulish stories lurking in the NFSA’s basement. The tour is strictly 16+, and many groups have reported feeling hands touching their shoulders, or witnessing poltergeist activity and unexplained noises. NFSA staff have also reported suspicious ghost activity in the sound recording booths, which used to house the dissection laboratories. Often, staff will hear noises coming from the booths and see things flying around.
Explore a winery that’s not as it seems at Seppeltsfield Winery, SA
Seppeltsfield Winery is known for its beautiful Barossa Valley location and delicious collection of wines. However, hauntings have added another layer to its reputation.
Built in 1851 by the Seppelt family, this property has been subject to strange reports from visitors, such as screams being heard from the vineyards, mysterious gunshots, whisperings and blood dripping from the walls of the family mausoleum on death anniversaries. Noises can be heard from the machines in a building that hasn’t been used in years. Go out and visit for a nerve-settling glass or carafe – and see if you can spot the ghost of a maid said to haunt the homestead and tunnels of Seppeltsfield Winery.
When visiting the grounds, you can also take a self-guided history tour, where you’ll be directed to ten historic locations. Who knows, you may spot a spirit or ghoul on your way.
To read about six other spine-tingling ghost tours in Australia, click here.