Ranked: 20 most haunted destinations in Australia
Discover which haunted places have the most paranormal sightings in each Australian state.
The following locations offer a chilling glimpse into Australia's haunted history, providing brave visitors with the opportunity to potentially experience the paranormal firsthand.
Collated by Affordable Urns, the list used Google Maps data to rank each state's most haunted locations.
For those who are feeling particularly adventurous, we have also included links to ghost tours for some of the spookiest locations below.
Sydney / NSW
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.
Other hotspots include the historic town of Picton, known for its haunted railway tunnel, Bathurst (home to the allegedly haunted Machattie Park) and the historic Miss Porter's House in Newcastle.
Blue Mountains Cottage Escape - 2 Nights Midweek
RedBalloon
Haunted Sydney Ghost Tour - The Rocks, Sydney
Adrenaline
Convict Life in Cockatoo Island Sydney: Quest Experience
Viator
Brisbane / Queensland
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.
Rockhampton, known as the beef capital of Australia, surprisingly ranks second in the state with 8 reported hauntings. The city's Dreamtime Cultural Centre and the historic Criterion Hotel are among its spooky attractions.
Goodna Cemetery Haunted History Tour - 2 Hours
RedBalloon
Brisbane Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour
Adrenaline
Brisbane Dark Stories True Crime Tour
Viator
Adelaide / South Australia
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.
Outside of Adelaide, the historic Bond Store in the copper mining town of Wallaroo is known for paranormal activities, as is the Seppeltsfield Winery in Barossa Valley.
Best for interactivity: Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Investigation, Lantern Ghost Tours
RedBalloon
Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Investigation
RedBalloon
Adelaide Gaol ghost tour and investigation – adult
Viator
Melbourne / Victoria
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.
In wider Victoria, the gold rush era town of Beechworth boasts 2 paranormal destinations - its historic lunatic asylum and gaol. Ballarat also has a series of ghost tours that are well worth checking out.
Self Guided Haunted Walking Tour of Melbourne
RedBalloon
Altona Homestead Ghost Tour - Melbourne
Adrenaline
J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour
Viator
Perth / WA
Although Perth has fewer reported hauntings compared to other states, Fremantle Prison is renowned for its paranormal activity. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling sudden cold spots throughout the prison.
The port city of Albany, with 3 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.
Escape Room Experience - For 4
RedBalloon
Murder-and-Macabre: True Crime Self-Guided Walking Tour of Perth
Viator
Perth's True Crime Tour
Viator
Australian states ranked by Paranormal Activity Reports
| State | Paranormal Activity | New South Wales | 91 |
| Queensland | 74 |
| Western Australia | 29 |
| Victoria | 20 |
| South Australia | 18 |
| Tasmania | 7 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 1 |
Sydney / NSW
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.
Other hotspots include the historic town of Picton, known for its haunted railway tunnel, Bathurst (home to the allegedly haunted Machattie Park) and the historic Miss Porter's House in Newcastle.
Blue Mountains Cottage Escape - 2 Nights Midweek
RedBalloon
Haunted Sydney Ghost Tour - The Rocks, Sydney
Adrenaline
Convict Life in Cockatoo Island Sydney: Quest Experience
Viator
Brisbane / Queensland
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.
Rockhampton, known as the beef capital of Australia, surprisingly ranks second in the state with 8 reported hauntings. The city's Dreamtime Cultural Centre and the historic Criterion Hotel are among its spooky attractions.
Goodna Cemetery Haunted History Tour - 2 Hours
RedBalloon
Brisbane Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour
Adrenaline
Brisbane Dark Stories True Crime Tour
Viator
Adelaide / South Australia
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.
Outside of Adelaide, the historic Bond Store in the copper mining town of Wallaroo is known for paranormal activities, as is the Seppeltsfield Winery in Barossa Valley.
Best for interactivity: Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Investigation, Lantern Ghost Tours
RedBalloon
Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Investigation
RedBalloon
Adelaide Gaol ghost tour and investigation – adult
Viator
Melbourne / Victoria
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.
In wider Victoria, the gold rush era town of Beechworth boasts 2 paranormal destinations - its historic lunatic asylum and gaol. Ballarat also has a series of ghost tours that are well worth checking out.
Self Guided Haunted Walking Tour of Melbourne
RedBalloon
Altona Homestead Ghost Tour - Melbourne
Adrenaline
J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour
Viator
Perth / WA
Although Perth has fewer reported hauntings compared to other states, Fremantle Prison is renowned for its paranormal activity. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling sudden cold spots throughout the prison.
The port city of Albany, with 3 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.
Escape Room Experience - For 4
RedBalloon
Murder-and-Macabre: True Crime Self-Guided Walking Tour of Perth
Viator
Perth's True Crime Tour
Viator
Australian states ranked by Paranormal Activity Reports
| State | Number of reports |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | 91 |
| Queensland | 74 |
| Western Australia | 29 |
| Victoria | 20 |
| South Australia | 18 |
| Tasmania | 7 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 1 |
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