Last Updated At: 18-Sep-2023
Australia, known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities, harbours a darker side that sends shivers down the spine of even the bravest souls. Beneath the sun-kissed shores and bustling metropolises lie tales of eerie apparitions, disembodied voices, and chilling encounters that defy explanation. These are the most haunted places in Australia, where the past refuses to rest in peace.
Nestled in the heart of New South Wales stands the Monte Cristo Homestead, a two-story Victorian manor that conceals a sinister past. This imposing structure was once the home of the ill-fated Crawley family, where death and despair were their constant companions. Legend has it that a baby met a tragic end by being tossed down the stairs, a caregiver met her demise by a gunshot, and two maids found themselves in the clutches of death within these walls. Today, visitors to Monte Cristo Homestead can embark on ghost tours in Australian haunted sites, where they may hear the anguished cries of unhappy spirits and even feel an unseen hand pushing them from the rooms.
In Tasmania, the historic Port Arthur stands as a grim testament to Australia's convict past. Over 12,500 convicts were held in this chilling penal colony from 1830 to 1877, and it is estimated that more than a thousand souls met their demise in a tragic mass shooting in 1996. Their restless spirits continue to roam the grounds, where visitors have reported hearing ghostly laughter of children and glimpses of a mysterious woman in blue. Unexplained light anomalies and disembodied footsteps add to the eerie ambience of this paranormal hotspot in Australia.
The Beechworth Hospital, once known as the Mayday Hills Asylum, served as a house of horrors for its unfortunate inmates from 1867 to 1995. Over this dark period, 3,000 patients perished within its walls, subjected to inhumane treatments such as straight jackets, shackles, and electroshock therapy. Some intrepid visitors claim to have encountered the apparition of a nurse who once oversaw these gruesome procedures, their encounters accompanied by a chilling drop in temperature.
Located near Ararat, the Aradale Lunatic Asylum's history is marred by suffering and sorrow. Over its 130-year operation, at least thirteen thousand people died at this asylum, making it one of the most eerie abandoned buildings in Australia. The former men's wings are infamous for their malevolent entities, including Nurse Kerry, who haunts the women's wards. Brave visitors have reported being scratched, bitten, and pushed by unseen forces while wandering the eerie hallways, surrounded by phantom smells and inexplicable noises.
Despite its quaint charm, Picton has earned the chilling title of "Australia's most haunted town." In 1916, tragedy struck as young Emily Bollard was struck and killed by a train while walking through the eerie Redbank Tunnel. Residents and tourists alike have reported sightings of a faceless, white-robed figure in the tunnel, accompanied by floating lights, sudden temperature drops, and ghostly apparitions of children emerging from the darkness.
South Australia's Fremantle Arts Centre hides a dark and tumultuous history. Once an asylum where three young girls endured abuse, disease, and imprisonment during the 1930s, this place now echoes their anguished spirits. Laughter, crying, and eerie yelling are commonly heard at this art centre, offering a glimpse into the spooky stories from Down Under.