Driving into Port Wakefield from Adelaide, the gateway to the Yorke Peninsula, can be a rather mundane experience. One follows the long stretch of road along Highway A1, a vast landscape of farmland, scrub and endless horizons make for a scenic but banal drive. Sure, the handmade sculptures lining the road near Dublin, protesting the rubbish tip, offer up a fleeting moment of interest. Otherwise, the road is seemingly normal, but for some who have […]
Burra, South Australia, Australia
In 1845 Copper ore was discovered near the small, country town of Burra in South Australia. The years following this discovery saw the community grow and by 1850 Burra was home to the largest metal mining site in Australia. The site, known as Burra Burra or sometimes the Monster Mines, employed around 1,000 men and boys at its peak. The mine remained in operation until 1877 when it was closed. Almost 100 years later, in […]
During its many years of operation, Gladstone Gaol boasted a fierce reputation, with past inmates likening their time at the institution to “Hell.” Built between 1879 and 1881, Gladstone Gaol was important to relieve overcrowding issues of other South Australian prisoners at the time. The jail would hold both female and male prisoners through until the commencement of WWII when the facility was repurposed by the military to act as an internment camp and detention […]
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Not only is the Adelaide Zoo one of South Australia’s most beloved tourist attractions, but it is also an important institution for local education and the conservation of wildlife. The Zoo first opened its doors in 1883 and has housed many native and exotic animals since. Recently, the Adelaide Zoo became of interest to the paranormal community when Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons began to conduct dark history tours, which featured some tales of potential hauntings. It […]
Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Today, Port Adelaide houses the oldest surviving composite Clipper Ship in the world. Once named the City of Adelaide, this magnificent historical ship was built in 1864 with the purpose of transporting passengers and cargo from London, England to Adelaide, South Australia. Although the tattered ship appears tired and worn, it remains of great historical significance to South Australia. More than a quarter of a million Australians are able to trace their heritage back to […]
The Grand Hotel Millicent is an epic structure that sits close to South Australia’s coastline. Having stood proudly in Millicent for over 120 years, many from the area claim the building to be haunted by numerous spirits. Construction was completed on the hotel on the 12th of September 1900 and the Grand opened its doors to the public as upper-class accommodation. Although the Grand is not the oldest hotel in town, it has become the […]
The Australian state of Victoria saw rapid population growth after its goldfields prospered. To keep order amongst this growing community a prison was necessary and 1861 saw the Ararat Country Gaol open. The gaol would function until the 1880s when it would eventually close as the goldfields saw their own demise. Later, in 1887, the facility would be repurposed, becoming a part of the Aradale Lunatic Asylum. The gaol was renamed to J Ward and […]
Moonta, South Australia, Australia
The Cornwall Hotel is a historic and popular hotel in Moonta, South Australia. Not only is it the oldest pub in town, dating back to the early 1860s, it is also said to be one of the most haunted. Formerly known as the Globe, the hotel was sadly extensively damaged by fire in 1885. Thankfully, no lives were lost in the blaze. Later, the hotel would be restored to its full glory. The hotel also […]