If, like Special Agent Fox Mulder (The X-Files), you "want to believe", then Brisbane is the place to be. Our sunny city is not only home to UFO Research Queensland, a voluntary non-profit association that receives, researches and records UFO sightings, it's also one of the most haunted cities in the world - according to the International Haunted Places Directory.
The directory contends there are ghosts residing in the hallways of many Brisbane institutions such as Old Government House, Parliament House, Brisbane Arcade and even Brisbane's City Hall. Supposedly, it's not uncommon to see the ghostly figure of an elderly lady from yesteryear wandering the staircases of City Hall, or a maintenance man, long departed from this world, who rides in the lift. The question is, do you believe? Check out the supernatural offerings below and see how easy it is to get spooked in Brisbane.
Have you had any supernatural experiences in Brisbane? Add your comments below.
Ghost tours
Local horror historian Jack Sim conducts Ghost Tours of Brisbane's most historic haunted sites, including places such as Boggo Road Gaol (Brisbane's most infamous gaol), Toowong Cemetery and Dutton Park Cemetery (one of Brisbane's oldest burial grounds). You can spot the ghostly apparitions and "white lights" as Jack recounts stories of Brisbane's ghostly and murderous history.
And if you've ever wanted to spend the night in a haunted house or site, Ghost Tours also offers Ghost Hunts of sites that have a history of hauntings and paranormal activity. With the help of the Queensland Paranormal Investigators, participants spend an evening conducting a paranormal study of a site to determine whether or not it's actually haunted. Spine-tingling stuff!
DIY ghoul hunt
You can start your own Brisbane ghoul hunt at the oldest inhabited building in Queensland, the Commissariat Stores on the banks of the Brisbane River in William Street. Built in 1829, this convict-built building is home to some gruesome reminders of our past: a jar containing two rather shrivelled "convict" fingertips, the old hanging beam from Boggo Road Gaol, and lots of great stories. Just ask the Royal Historical Society guides as you wander through.
Spooky hot spots
Newstead House is Brisbane's oldest surviving residence, built in 1846. One of the several ghosts alleged to reside in this area is a 12-year-old girl whose favourite pastime is rearranging the shoes in one of the rooms.
Just over the road at the home of Brisbane's famous beer off-the-wood, ghostly apparitions linger in the upstairs rooms of the Breakfast Creek Hotel. A past publican who allegedly fell out the window is said to frequent the original parts of the hotel and staff have reported seeing and hearing him regularly!
Another reputedly haunted pub is The Plough Inn at South Bank. Staff members have reported sightings of two ghosts in this South Bank icon.
Scary books about Brisbane
For those who enjoy nothing better than immersing themselves in a good scary novel, try one of the leave-the-lights-on offerings by local Brisbane author Kim Wilkins. Titles include Giants of the Frost, Angel of Ruin, The Resurrectionists, The Infernal and Grimoire.
Or dip into one of Jack Sim's scary books about Brisbane.
Scary excursions
Catch the "Cat-o-Nine Tails" across to St Helena Island, in Moreton Bay, and retrace the footsteps of Brisbane's convict heritage. At night, if you dare, there's a ghost tour of the cemetery, retelling stories of those who never left the island.
Tales of mystery and murder
If you've had your fill of ghostly encounters, take a detour into Brisbane's murderous past. The Mayne Inheritance Tour visits sites featured in Rosamond Siemon's bestseller The Mayne Inheritance, a true story based on the strange twists and turns of the Mayne Family, one of Brisbane's original influential families (with a murderer in the midst). The tour includes afternoon tea. To make a booking, contact Jean Tremayne on (07) 3365 5423.
Have you had any supernatural experiences in Brisbane? Add your comments below.
