The story behind Australia’s most haunted locations
Hollywood may be home to the modern horror film, but when it comes to actual haunted houses Australia certainly has its fair share of things that go bump in the night.
These spine-tingling tales are sure to get you in the Halloween spirit, or at the very least – have you sleeping with one eye open tonight.
1. Monte Cristo Homestead; NSW
The history: Murder, torture and suicide are all part of the macabre history of “Australia’s most haunted house”, The Monte Cristo Homestead. A caretaker was murdered in the home in 1961, a mentally disabled boy was kept in the homestead’s cottage for many years, a boy died falling down the stairs, a maid fell from a balcony and a stable boy died from injuries after a fire. Many of the ghosts who appear in the residence are believed to be spirits of these people who died there including former lady of the house Mrs Crawley.
The hauntings: With 10 distressed spirits to its name, it’s no wonder reports of invisible force fields, poltergeist action and screams have unnerved even the most hardened mediums. Guests often report seeing strange lights, feeling strange presences, and many who choose to stay overnight report seeing Mrs. Crawley herself.
2. Oakabella Homestead; W.A
The history: Often said to be the most haunted house in Western Australia, this homestead is located between Geraldton and Northampton, Oakabella Homestead was established in 1851 by James Drummond on 44,000 acres (17806 ha) of land. Its history includes that of confrontations between local indigenous tribes and natives and the pioneers, a number of child deaths, including that of one child who fell while climbing through an open window breaking their neck, and in 1973, previous occupant George Jackson met an untimely death while sitting in his room cleaning his gun when it went off killing him.
The hauntings: There has been much reported paranormal activity at Oakabella, doors opening and closing on their own, the feeling of a “presence”, strange lights, smells and temperature drops. There are stories of curses, death, strange accidents, great sickness, affairs and a murder that make up the homestead history. Some believe this place is a spiritual portal – a place built on native sacred ground that is a “magnet” for spiritual energy. So much so, that the current caretaker dreamt of a similar homestead as a child and believes she was brought to the place by a spiritual pull.
3. Blundell’s Cottage; ACT
The history: Built in 1860, Blundell’s Cottage existed even before the city of Canberra. It was originally inhabited by the Campbell family before the Blundell family moved in, in 1874 and stayed for 60 years, thus giving the cottage its permanent title. Tragically, in 1892, Flora Susanna Blundell, while wearing a white crinoline dress, burnt to death when the dress touched a hot iron, immediately engulfing herself in flames.
The hauntings: The cottage is said to be haunted by the ghost of Florrie Blundell who died at the age of 16 from illness after an accident ironing. She’s been seen several times standing in the gardens of the property and tour groups often complain that the house smells like burned flesh.
4. Franklin House; TAS
The history: A sprawling property with gardens and a massive colonial house filled with antiques, Franklin House was built in the late 1830s by Britton Jones, a former convict who moved into brewing and innkeeping. Four years after it was finished, he leased the property to a schoolmaster, William Keeler Hawkes, who turned the mansion into a boys’ academy.
The hauntings: A not-for-profit group which volunteered to find out what happened on the premises after dark reported many experiences of paranormal activities; objects moving by themselves, noises in empty rooms and shadow figures in empty wings. High levels of electromagnetic energy and whispers were reportedly recorded in an upstairs bedroom, when asked “what is your name”, the group recorded a disembodied voice replying “Will”.
5. Gooloowan house; QLD
The history: High up on Denmark Hill in Queensland, a 148-year-old Gooloowan house sits with a dark past. In the year 1889, a maid working at the house by the name of Rose Dold became pregnant by another worker. She went to lengths to conceal her pregnancy, had the child, then decided it would be best to lob it down the household well.
The hauntings: In the years following this abominable act, residents and passers-by claimed they could hear the cries of a baby coming from the well. Visitors and occupants at Gooloowan also reported seeing a female apparition stroll about the grounds in old maid’s clothes, while in some rooms – which have remained virtually unchanged all these years – a palpably foreboding presence could be felt, as if someone was watching one’s every move.
6. The entire town of Picton; NSW
The history: If tales of a single haunted house isn’t enough to give you goosebumps, then perhaps stories of an entire haunted town will. Picton is reputed to be Australia’s most haunted town, so much so that they made a documentary about it. Of the haunted locations in Picton, the most famous is the disused Redback Range Tunnel, a 592-foot (180 m) railway tunnel. In 1916 a middle-aged woman named Emily Bollard, lived near the tunnel. Her brother lived on the family farm on the other side of the hill. Rather than climb the hill to visit, Emily would take a short cut through the tunnel. One Sunday afternoon Emily set off to visit her brother. Unfortunately, it is believed that Emily forgot to check the railway train timetable. Halfway down the tunnel she met a train. She was killed instantly and her body was carried on the front of the train into Picton.
The hauntings: In the years that followed, reports were made of a woman acting strangely in the tunnel. It is believed by locals that Emily still walks the tunnel. There were many other deaths and suicides in the Redback Range Tunnel while it was in use, and their spirits are said to also haunt the location. Visitors reported seeing unexplained lights and shadows, feeling gusts of wind, and occasionally seeing the ghost of a girl who hanged herself at the entrance of the tunnel.
Have you ever been to these scary destinations?
Written by Pauline Morrissey. Republished with permission of Domain.com.au.