With Halloween approaching, Affordable Urns has unveiled a spine-chilling study revealing Australia’s most haunted destinations. The research, which analysed reports of paranormal sightings and haunted locations across the country, offers ghost hunters and thrill-seekers a guide to the spookiest locations for an unforgettable Halloween experience.
The study examined reported paranormal activities and haunted locations across Australia, ranking states, cities and towns based on the number of ghostly encounters.
Alex Wilson, CEO and founder of Affordable Urns, said: “There’s something about the Halloween season that brings out the thrill in us all. From shadowy figures in old abandoned buildings to unexplained whispers in the night, Australia’s haunted locations have a way of giving even the bravest souls goosebumps.”
“While we encourage people to get their ghost hunt on, we also urge visitors to approach these locations with respect and caution. Many of these sites have historical significance and may have restricted access.
“Always make sure you have proper permission before visiting and follow all safety guidelines. Whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or simply enjoy a good scare, these locations offer a supernatural way to connect with the past and perhaps experience something unexplainable this Halloween season.”
States ranked by paranormal activity
New South Wales (91 paranormal activity reports)
New South Wales clearly dominates the paranormal scene, accounting for over a third of all reported ghostly encounters in Australia. The state’s long history of colonial settlement, convict transportation and urban development seems to have left a lasting supernatural imprint.
Sydney alone contributes 17 of these hauntings, but the paranormal activity extends far beyond the capital. Newcastle, the state’s second-largest city, reports seven ghostly encounters, including at the eerie Newcastle Courthouse and the historic Miss Porter’s House. Other hotspots include the historic town of Picton (three reports), known for its haunted railway tunnel, and Bathurst (two reports), home to the allegedly haunted Machattie Park.
Queensland (74 paranormal activities)
Coming in second, Queensland boasts a diverse range of haunted locations spread across its vast territory. Brisbane leads with 16 reported activities, but the paranormal presence is felt throughout the state.
Rockhampton, known as the beef capital of Australia, surprisingly ranks second in the state with eight reported hauntings. The city’s Dreamtime Cultural Centre and the historic Criterion Hotel are among its spooky attractions. Bundaberg, Ipswich, Mackay and Toowoomba each report four paranormal activities, suggesting that ghostly encounters are not limited to the larger urban centres.
Western Australia (29 paranormal activities)
Despite its vast size, Western Australia reports fewer hauntings, but they are no less intriguing. The port city of Albany, with three reported activities, stands out as a paranormal hotspot. Its Old Albany Convict Gaol and the historic Patrick Taylor Cottage are known for their ghostly residents.
Perth, the state capital, reports only two paranormal activities, but nearby Fremantle adds to the region’s supernatural reputation with its famously haunted Fremantle Prison and Arts Centre.
Victoria (20 paranormal activities)
Victoria’s paranormal activity is concentrated in its capital, Melbourne, which accounts for a quarter of the state’s reported hauntings with five activities. The gold rush town of Ballarat follows with two reported hauntings, including its former jail.
Beechworth, another gold rush era town, also reports two paranormal activities, centred around its historic lunatic asylum and jail. These locations reflect Victoria’s rich and sometimes dark colonial history.
South Australia (18 paranormal activities)
South Australia’s paranormal activity is heavily concentrated in Adelaide, which accounts for nearly half of the state’s reported hauntings with eight activities. The Adelaide Goal and Z Ward are particular hotspots. Outside Adelaide, the copper mining town of Wallaroo reports two paranormal activities, including its historic Bond Store. The Barossa Valley also makes an appearance with a haunting report at the historic Seppeltsfeld Winery.
Top five cities with the highest paranormal activity
Looking at individual cities, the data reveals some intriguing hotspots for paranormal activity. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notorious haunted locations in these paranormal hotspots:
Sydney (17 paranormal activities)
The Quarantine Station in Manly is infamous for its ghostly apparitions. Once used to isolate immigrants with suspected contagious diseases, visitors now report seeing the spirits of those who never left. Cockatoo Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is another eerie location where people have experienced unexplained phenomena, possibly linked to its dark history as a convict prison.
Brisbane (16 paranormal activities)
Boggo Road Gaol stands out as one of Brisbane’s most haunted locations. This former prison is said to be haunted by the ghosts of executed prisoners, with visitors reporting cold spots, unexplained noises and even ghostly figures. The historic Breakfast Creek Hotel is another spooky spot, where staff and patrons have reported seeing the ghost of a young girl in a white dress.
Adelaide (eight paranormal activities)
The Adelaide Gaol, operational from 1841 to 1988, is a hotbed of paranormal activity. Visitors have reported seeing shadowy figures and hearing unexplained footsteps. Z Ward, formerly used to house the criminally insane, is another eerie location where people have experienced strange occurrences and an overwhelming sense of being watched.
Melbourne (five paranormal activities)
The Old Melbourne Gaol, where notorious bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged, is a must-visit for ghost hunters. Many visitors have reported feeling a strong presence in Kelly’s cell and seeing apparitions throughout the building. The Princess Theatre is also known for its resident ghost, Federici, an actor who died on stage in 1888 and is said to still frequent the theatre.
Perth (two paranormal activities)
Although Perth has fewer reported hauntings, Fremantle Prison (located near Perth) is renowned for its paranormal activity. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling sudden cold spots throughout the prison.
These locations offer a chilling glimpse into Australia’s haunted history, providing brave visitors with the opportunity to potentially experience the paranormal firsthand this Halloween season.
“While we encourage people to get their ghost-hunt on, we also urge visitors to approach these locations with respect and caution. Many of these sites have historical significance and may have restricted access.
“Always make sure you have proper permission before visiting and follow all safety guidelines. Whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or simply enjoy a good scare, these locations offer a supernatural way to connect with the past and perhaps experience something unexplainable this Halloween season.”
Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever visited somewhere you found spooky? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?
Also read: Australia’s most haunted roads
