NEW SOUTH WALES's
most haunted locations
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By <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sardaka" title="User:Sardaka">Sardaka</a> (<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Sardaka" title="User talk:Sardaka"><span class="signature-talk">talk</span></a>) 08:48, 15 January 2009 (UTC) - <span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>, CC BY 3.0, Link
History
Originally known as the Tarban Creek Lunatic Asylum this sandstone building was opened in 1838 as the first specific site in Australia for helping those with mental and emotional health issues.
Although this institution started as many other asylums of the time – meaning rather like a prison – attempts were quickly made to correct this. In 1868 a new superintendent took over a created recreation programs, new healthy diets and removed the seclusion most patients were in. By 1879 conditions were much improved including the once common use of restraints stopped.
The hospital did have its darker days though. Male attendants were convicted of raping female patients, electro-shock therapy led to deaths and terrible burns as patients resisted it, overcrowding led to patient-on-patient violence and there were even staff deaths related to patient violence.
There is a mass grave under the remains of the hospital that conservatively holds 1,200 bodies of former patients.
In 1993 the hospital was paired with Macquarie Hospital and in 1997 all in-patient services ended at Gladesville. The hospital was left abandoned and it is now partially in ruins behind fences and covered in graffiti.
Paranormal Activity
Shadow figures have been seen standing in the empty windows and door frames of the old hospital.
People have reported whispers just low enough not to be understood have been heard coming from the site.
Other Activity: apparitions of former staff and patients; cold spots; electrical disturbances; light anomalies; disembodied voices; phantom screams, crying and laughter, an overwhelming feeling of dark energy and feelings of being watched.
Testimonial By Theresa
This was among one of my first investigations. It’s a really creepy place at night. We’ve walked through the park area where the ‘mass grave’ supposedly is. It’s got a horrible history
History
This house was built in 1884-5 by Christopher Crawley. When he passed away in 1910 ownership passed to his wife, Elizabeth, who did not take his death well. She became a recluse sealing herself away – mostly in one room with a Bible – until her own death.
The house remained abandoned from 1948 to 1963 when it was bought by a family hoping to restore it. The tales of paranormal activity began immediately after the new owners moved in.
The house is said to have a long history of deaths and violence that had led to it being called “the most haunted house in Australia”.
Paranormal Activity
Elizabeth Crawley haunts the house and is said to announce her presence with the feeling of freezing cold air – which has been described as snow falling on witnesses – descending over people.
The young daughter of the Crawley’s died from falling down the stairs. Many think she was dropped by her nanny on purpose and also haunts the house.
The ghost of a developmentally disabled man named Kevin haunts the grounds. He was kept chained up in the caretaker’s cottage for decades and lets people know he’s near with sound of chains clanking together.
A stable boy – who was burned to death in his bed by his master – haunts the stable house.
The apparition of a woman in a 19th century dress is seen walking on the balcony on the stairs she fell to her death from. She is said to have been maid and many believe she was pregnant at the time.
The new owners came home one night to find the house filled with light – not abnormal until you realize there was no electricity in the building at the time – that suddenly went dark when they approached the house.
Other Activity: Apparitions – including a lady in white and an elderly man - and shadow figures; intense cold spots; objects moving on their own; disembodied voices; phantom footsteps; light anomalies; electrical disturbances and feelings of being watched, not being wanted and not being alone.
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History
This historical station is located on a site that was one of the first landings of the British fleet and first contact with the Aboriginal population on the continent.
The idea behind of the quarantine station was to hold people coming in on ships until it could be assured they were free from disease before releasing them into the general population. That way epidemics were prevented.
The station was first opened on August 14, 1832, to protect what was then the New South Wales colony. It was created by the Quarantine Act in response to the Cholera Pandemic in Europe.
In the beginning the majority of ships carried prisoners – Australia originally being a penal colony – so not the most heathy members of the population.
Originally, the passengers were kept aboard ship but after the Lady Macnaghten – better known as the fever ship – had an extended quarantine in 1837 because of a typhus pandemic on board that cost numerous lives the need was seen that facilities needed to be built on land.
In the beginning conditions were very poor with cramped conditions and little food leading to high fatality rates. By 1840 conditions began to improve.
In 1853 when the Beejapore with over 1,000 passengers docked at the station; which had a capacity for only 150 people. The ship became permanently moored in the harbour and converted into a hospital ship but the overcrowding was still so bad the single woman were forced to live in the surrounding brush.
62 people ended up dying due to measles, typhus and scarlet fever.
This began a period of new building and an expansion of the facility.
In 1909 Australia took over ownership of the facility from the British.
Between vaccinations, the founding of antibiotics and improved medical science, the number of people needing to be quarantined began to fall rapidly by the 1940’s.
Between 1828 and 1984 more than 13,000 people were quarantined here and an estimated 572 died on site.
The station was closed on February 29, 1984.
The facility has now been converted into a hotel, conference centre and restaurant. The hotel part was converted from the high level accommodations for the rich people who were quarantined separately from the rest of the unwashed masses.
Paranormal Activity
One of the most haunted locations here is what’s known as the gravedigger’s cottage. While no gravediggers have ever lived here – it was actually a doctor’s residence – it is located between 2 graveyards hence getting it’s name.
The bathroom in the house is considered Sydney’s most haunted bathroom and has been reported as having large amounts of very dark energy.
While no actual gravediggers lived there the apparition of historical gravedigger (tulpa?) – a man in a cloak and wide brimmed hat – is frequently seen in the house. He has been named Sam and is said to have committed suicide in the house.
People also report unexplained sudden pains and severe anxiety attacks. This happens so frequently that ghost tour guides sometimes skip the house on the tour if people already seem nervous and emotionally heightened.
Many people also report invisible hands around their throat or being pushed down by the chest accompanied by a feeling of being underwater and being unable to breathe.
Mediums say a woman was murdered in the house by being drowned in the bathtub. The woman has been reached spiritually but is described as eternally crouched and crying in the tub.
A shadow figure described as threatening is seen in the old nurse’s quarters.
The apparition of mortician wanders the property as is known for being quite flirtatious with any women he comes across.
Other reported activity: apparitions of former doctors and nurses as well as patients; multiple shadow figures; touches, tugs and pulls by unseen entities; disembodied voices; time slips; objects moving their own; electrical disturbances; light anomalies; empathic sensations of anxiety, fear and oppression and feelings of being watched and not being alone.
History
This tunnel was opened in 1867 and is historically significant as it was the first tunnel used by the New South Wales Railway. The tunnel is 592 feet (180.4 metres).
In 1919 the tunnel was closed to railway traffic when a replacement line was constructed. During World War II the tunnel was used by the Royal Australian Air Force used it to store weapons – rumoured to have included mustard gas which, thankfully, was not used in the war – and other war materials.
In the 1950’s the tunnel was used for growing mushrooms. Hence, it’s more famous name – the mushroom tunnel.
It is now a tourist attraction albeit only open for very limited times; Monday to Friday 1000 – 1400. It is closed on weekends and all public holidays.
Paranormal Activity
During the railway era the tunnel was said to have been the site of numerous suicides and accidents.
The tunnel is one of the most consistently active paranormal locations in Australia. You are virtually guaranteed to experience some form of paranormal activity every time you visit.
The most famous story is that of Emily Bollard who entered the tunnel in 1916; it is unclear whether she meant to commit suicide or if her death was a tragic accident. While she was in the tunnel a train entered it as well and she was struck and killed.
It is said that ever since the night she was killed the ghost of Emily has haunted the tunnel. To this day the apparition of a floating woman with no face is reported near and in the tunnel.
Other Reported Activity: apparitions of children that will suddenly emerge from the darkness; often near the living; shadow figures who are often seen sliding along the walls; electrical disturbances; light anomalies which frequently appear above people’s heads; cold and warm spots and feelings of not being alone.