Hello, Halloween: The Southside’s Spookiest
Halloween, also known as ‘All Hallows’ Eve’ marks the night before the Christian tradition of celebrating ‘Allhallowtide’ – a day dedicated to remembering the dead. As we edge closer to this eerie time, we thought we’d share a little local history following on from C&G’s recent guide to Halloween activities (read it here) bringing you the best ghost tours and creepy locations Southside. But before we begin, a word of warning: it’s not for the faint of heart!
The Asylum Tour
Spooktober Festival, St Kilda Town Hall
This Asylum Tour experience at St Kilda Town Hall comes at two levels of scariness: ‘After Dark Tours’ (8.30pm – 11.30pm) and ‘Lights Out Tours’ from midnight to 1.30am. ‘Lights Out Tours’ will be the scariest of the scary! With nothing but the glow of a candle to navigate your way about the manor, there’ll be ‘graphic content and gore’ and it’s not recommended for anyone afraid of confined spaces, or the dark for that matter. Ages 12+ recommended.
Haunted Manor Tour
Spooktober Festival, St Kilda Town Hall
In true Southside spirit, the Spooktober Haunted Manor will play host to Count Carlisle and his fanged friends! A traditional walk-through haunted house experience, it’s a family-friendly attraction filled with live actors and other scares for ages 8+ during the day (‘Spooky Tours’ from midday to 7:30pm) and 15+ during the ‘Lights Out Tours’ commencing at midnight.
Sorrento Ghost Tours
Mornington Peninsula
Just a half hour drive from C&G’s Mt Martha office, Sorrento Ghost tours are the spookiest on the peninsula! This two-hour ghost tour will take you to a dozen historical sites believed to be occupied by the paranormal, including the Continental Hotel, Athenaeum Cinema & Three Palms Restaurant. Get tickets here
Creepy Tales of Black Rock House
While Black Rock House’s Historic Ghost Tours program has wrapped up for the year, there’s still plenty of history to experience with a regular tour of the premises, which has been the subject of many spooky rumors. Completed in 1858, the property features two large fig trees, rumored to be the site of a murder and to mark the grave of a servant’s daughter respectively. Other rumors suggest a man was beaten and hung from the tree to set an example, and that someone fell to their death from the roof. Chilling.
The Victoria Market
Melbourne
OK, so we’re kind of glad it’s not located Southside, because the Vic Market has some seriously spooky history. The current site where we enjoy dumplings and a spot of shopping with friends is the burial site of around 50,000 bodies! That’s right, it was Melbourne’s first general cemetery – home to many colonial settlers including the city’s founding father, John Batman. Some of the stall vendors also say that two bushrangers prowl the fruit section at night, too, and the last thing you want is to be bailed up with a banana. Learn more about tours here.