Spooky Sites to Explore

Want to make your Halloween that bit more memorable? Got a thing for spooky sites? Here are some to check out.

The Rocks, Sydney

A historic neighbourhood located near the iconic Sydney Harbour, and famous for its cobblestone streets, colonial-era buildings and vibrant markets. It was one of the first areas in Australia settled by Europeans and has a rich history connected to convicts, sailors, and early trade.

The Rocks is a popular destination for visitors, offering a blend of historical landmarks, trendy cafes, restaurants and art galleries - all set against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

But The Rocks has a darker side with claims of being one of the most haunted places in Sydney. There are certainly many genuinely creepy stories involving The Rocks. If you are interested in the darker side of the Rocks, nightly tours are available.

Pilliga Princess

The Pilliga Princess was the name locals gave to an eccentric elderly homeless lady who frequented the Newell Highway in NSW with her shopping trolley of possessions. The elderly lady was killed in 1993 when she was accidently hit by a truck, however many locals and travelers along the Newell Highway claim to have seen her in the decades since she was killed - still pushing her trolley along the highway.

Quarantine Station, Sydney

Located on the North Head of Sydney Harbour, the Quarantine Station was established in 1832 as a quarantine facility for passengers arriving by ship who were suspected of carrying infectious diseases. Ships were required to dock at the station and passengers were isolated to prevent the spread of illnesses such as smallpox, influenza and plague.

The site operated until 1984 and is now a heritage-listed area. Its well-preserved buildings and artifacts offer a glimpse into Australia's early quarantine practices and the site is part of the Sydney Harbour National Park - offering scenic views of the harbour.

But staff and visitors have reported strange occurrences, including sudden temperature drops, disembodied voices, footsteps, and shadowy figures. Ghost tours have become a popular attraction at the site, allowing people to explore its dark history and potentially encounter these supernatural phenomena firsthand.

Pilliga Yowie

The Pilliga region of NSW is an area with a lot of spooky stories. There are numerous stories from locals, truckies, and travelers, of encounters with a Yowie. The Yowie has been described as well over 7 foot tall with lots of wild hair. Everyone who has had an encounter talks about a terrible smell associated with the Yowie.

Mount Victoria Pass

According to legend, Mount Victoria Pass between Mount Victoria and Lithgow in NSW is haunted by a lady wearing black. Since the mid-19th century, tales have been told of a figure dressed in black who clings to the back of vehicles - causing drivers to plummet to their death. The lady is believed to be that of Caroline Collits, a local lass from the Hartley Valley whose beaten and battered body was found beside the road in 1842. This legend has been immortalised in Henry Lawson's poem, The Ghost at the Second Bridge.

Beechworth Asylum

The Beechworth Asylum has the reputation of being one of the most haunted sites in Australia.

Built on a hill in Beechworth, Victoria (on a site chosen due to the belief the town's altitude would cleanse patients of their illnesses and the winds carry away their mental afflictions) the Beechworth Lunatic Asylum house 1200 patients during its peak period of operation. The doctors at the Asylum used a variety of treatments including physical restraint (with straightjackets and shackles) and electroshock.

There are numerous stories of people seeing ghosts, hearing footsteps, and experiencing cold air and horrid smells on the site. Does this sound like something you'd like to experience for yourself? You can visit the asylum for night tours and even overnight stays.

Port Arthur

World Heritage-listed Port Arthur in Tasmania was established in 1833 and housed convicts sent from Britain. It was designed as a model of harsh punishment and reform, known for strict discipline, labour-intensive work, and innovative punishment methods.

The site is now a major tourist attraction and recognised as part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites. It's well-preserved ruins attract visitors interested in Australia's colonial history.

However, a series of unexplained events at the site have been reported since the arrival of free settlers and have been noted by soldiers and, in more recent times, visitors. Ghost tours are available after dark at Port Arthur to determine it's hidden secrets for yourself.

Monte Cristo Homestead, Junee

The Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee, NSW was constructed by Christopher William Crawley, who lived there along with his family members. Both Crawley and his wife died on the property from illness, and apparently neither of them have left the building since.

The Crawleys are just two of the ghosts said to roam the property and you can try to feel their presence for yourself on a ghost tour inside this elegant, but spooky, manor.

Devil's Pool

Devil's Pool near Babinda in North Queensland is a natural rock pool located within Babinda Boulders, a popular swimming and picnic area in the tropical rainforest. Despite it's beauty, Deliv's Pool has a dark reputation due to its strong currents and hidden underwater formations that have claimed the lives of numerous swimmers over the years.

This had lead to eerie local legends, including one of an Indigenous lovestruck woman named Oolana who threw herself into the waters after being separated from her lover, Dyga, who (in a Romeo and Juliet-style tale) was from a different tribe. Her spirit is believed to have never left the pool, and it's said she now coaxes men to their doom. Some people have also reported hearing unexplained crying in the area, thought to be Oolana crying out for Dyga.

Warning signs now caution visitors about the risks, and only certain areas of the creek are considered safe for swimming.

Picton Mushroom Tunnel

Picton, 90 minutes southwest of Sydney, NSW, was founded in 1821. One of it's best-known landmarks is the Mushroom Tunnel, formally known as the Redbank Range Railway Tunnel. A number of people have died in this tunnel, either accidently or by suicide.

One of the most known of Picton's ghosts is that of Emily Bollard, who was killed by a train in 1916. She is thought to be the white flowing figure of a woman with no face, sighted on a number of occasions near the tunnel.

Have you explored any other spooky sites or had any eerie encounters during your travels? We would love to hear about them in the comments below!

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