Ep. 535 has us going Down Under to the town of Berrima and checking out the history and haunts there! The Berrima Courthouse in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales in Australia is a great example of colonial architecture. The courthouse was a necessity as the colony was built on convicts and many continued their wayward deeds. The village of Berrima itself was an important stop on the path from Sydney to Victoria and there were several hotels in the area. Many historic structures still remain and spirits just may be inhabiting them, including the ghost of Australia’s first serial killer. Join us as we explore the history and haunts of Berrima, Australia! The Moment in Oddity features the Crawfordsville Monster and This Month in History features the birth of Edward Everett. Our location was suggested by Julie Barton.
https://sites.libsyn.com/58064/ep-535-berrima-courthouse-and-haunts
Tag Archives: Haunted Australia
New South Wales in Australia seems to be the most haunted state in the country and for good reason. This was the first place colonized in Australia. Not only is there a long history here that features a country built by convicts, but there is the displacement of the indigenous people who had been here for thousands of years. We’ve covered some of the more well known haunted locations in New South Wales on previous episodes, so on this one we are going to explore the lesser known haunts. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of New South Wales! The Moment in Oddity features Beatle wigs and This Month in History features the transcontinental railroad.
https://sites.libsyn.com/58064/ep-487-haunted-new-south-wales
The history of Boggo Road Gaol is both interesting and troubling. This history goes all the way back to the late 1800s when Brisbane was finally moving from a penal colony to a free community. Many violent offenders came to their ends at the gaol. Punishment was dealt out in the black hole. Conditions became so poor that reforms were necessary. Today, the gaol is a museum offering tours and there are stories of ghosts on the grounds. Join us as we share the history and hauntings of the Boggo Road Gaol! The Moment in Oddity features Rapunzel Syndrome and This Month in History features Jesse Owens born. Our location was suggested by Danika Ehlers and Natalie.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
South Australia is said to be the most haunted state in Australia and within that state is said to be one of the most haunted locations, Old Tailem Town Pioneer Village. This is a unique, man-made village in Tailem Bend that is a compilation of buildings, old cars, antiques and artifacts. There is so much history reflected in these elements, but there is something else as well. Spiritual energy radiates from the buildings and many visitors have stories of unexplained experiences. Add to this that this is a favorite spot for paranormal investigators and it’s not hard to believe that there may be hauntings going on here. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Old Tailem Town. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Jannae McCabe and features a solid gold Buddha discovered and This Month in History features the Relief of Mafeking. Our location was suggested by Jenni Watt.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Kelly and I have watched, along with the rest of the world, as fire has devastated the entire country of Australia in 2019 and 2020. Fire renews, but it destroys everything in its wake before that renewal and the tragic statistics have been devastating. The fires have raged for over six months, thousands of homes have been destroyed, dozens of people are dead, millions of acres are scorched and the worst statistic is that nearly a billion animals are estimated to have been killed. One of the places hit hard is Kangaroo Island. Nearly half of the island was burned. This is a beautiful place and is one of Australia’s largest islands. There is a rich history here incorporating both the Aboriginal people, the settlers who made this their home and the treacherous waters that surround the island. All of these have contributed to reports of unexplained events and hauntings. Join us as we share the history and haunting of Kangaroo Island! The Moment in Oddity features Florida Bog Bodies and This Month in History features the Butterfield Overland Mail Route and Old Wire Road.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and home to close to 4 million people. This city is a center of diversity and for the history of Australia it is a symbol of the independent spirit. Victoria and Melbourne were established as autonomous colonies, working outside of government regulation and permissions. This attracted men with that same spirit. One of them would re-purpose an amphitheater as The Princess Theater. This is a theater with roots running as far back as the founding of Melbourne and with that kind of history, one just knows this theater is ripe for hauntings. And there does seem to be some ghostly activity going on here. Join me as I share the history and hauntings of Melbourne’s Princess Theater! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Markus Watt and features The Mars’ Cursed Sunken Treasure in Baltic Sea and This Month in History features Hoover’s claim about Black Tuesday.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The Commissariat Store in Brisbane is the second oldest building in the city and dates back to the early years when Brisbane was a penal colony. The penal settlement in Brisbane was the most violent and toughest on the continent. Convict laborers were used to build many of the early buildings in the settlement, which included the store. A violent confrontation during that construction seems to have led to at least one haunting at the store, but there could be more spirits hanging around this building that now houses a museum that includes some morbid artifacts among its displays. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Commissariat Store. The Moment in Oddity features Posthumorous Executions and This Day in History features Florence Lawrence Committing Suicide. We also have the eighth installment in the third series of Tim Prasil’s Spectral Edition! Our location was suggested by listener Danika Ehlers
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Australia is a rugged land and due to the fact that much of the country started as a series of penal colonies, it is no wonder that gaols have become an intregral part of its history. Fremantle is a major port city located in Western Australia, which is the biggest territory in Australia at 2,529,875 square km (976,790 sq ml.) Jennilee Watt is a tour guide in Fremantle and she is going to take us on a journey to three key locations in Fremantle: Round House, Fremantle Gaol and the Lunacy Asylum. There is more to these locations than just a long history in Australia. These locations all seem to have supernatural activity. Join us as we explore some of the highlights of Fremantle in Western Australia! The Moment in Oddity is by Bob Sherfield and features the beginning and the end of the Civil War happening in two different homes owned by the same man and This Day in History is by Jessica Bell and features the day Dr. John Snow was born.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Coburg, Victoria, Australia didn’t always have that name. It was originally known as Pentridge and it was infamous for being home to the Pentridge Prison. This prison was one of the most notorious in Australia, housing some of the worst of the worst and was open for 146 years. Today, it is the setting for fashion shows, parties, conferences and even weddings. As is the case with many old jails, this one is restless behind the scenes…or should we say, behind the veil. Spirits roam the cell blocks. Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of Australia’s Pentridge Prison! Moment in Oddity features sheep farts downing a plane and This Day in History features Thomas Edison inventing the phonograph.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Maitland Gaol is considered Australia’s hardest jail. For nearly twenty years the gaol has stood empty, but for 150 years this jail housed some of Australia’s worst criminals. Behind the sandstone and razor-wire of this modern day tourist attraction, some of the worst brutality occurred from murders to rape and of course, suicides. Inmates claim that the cells were concrete coffins. This kind of energy and emotion usually feeds unexplained activity. Rumors of hauntings permeate the stories about the gaol. Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Maitland Gaol! Moment in History features the Fertility Chair and This Day in History features Francis Scott Key being inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download