Ghosts of Newcastle and the Hunter.
by Murray Byfield
Newcastle and the Hunter’s Most Haunted Places
Newcastle, Australia’s second-oldest settlement and sixth-largest city with just over half a million people, the city and region was built on the back of Coal Mining and Convict labour.
Civic Theatre – Newcastle, the reputed home of a lonely man from the inter-war years looking for his missing girlfriend.
Newcastle Repertory Theatre – Lambton, is supposed to be haunted by several ghosts the most famous is that of a spirit named Kambrook.
ABC radio studios- Newcastle, three ghosts are supposed to be in residence at the studio.
The Star Hotel – Newcastle, upstairs, the ghost of a cleaning lady has been seen in the upstairs offices.
Newcastle Train Station – A ghost of a man is reported to walk to and from the train station to Newcastle hospital.
Maitland Gaol – East Maitland – many tormented souls are said to still haunted this historic Gaol. Among them a Satanic-worshipping man that committed suicide, an Indigenous man stabbed to death and the ghost of the last man hung at the Gaol in the 1890’s. Maitland Gaol has the worldwide reputation of being Australia’s most haunted site!
Raymond Terrace Masonic Centre – Several Ghosts still haunt this Historic building constructed in 1850.
Lochinvar – St. Joseph’s Campus – screams are said to be heard in some of the old dormitories.
Raymond Terrace – Historic King Street – Most of the historic houses in this street built in the late 1800’s have resident ghosts in them. This street was used extensively in the film “Tomorrow When the War Began”.
Morpeth Cemetery and main street – Ghost in period clothing seen in main street. EVPs recorded in cemetery.
Raymond Terrace Pioneer Hill cemetery – Presence felt at bottom of the hill near the fence line. People being touched by unseen hands and EVPs recorded.
Tanilba House, – Tanilba bay – The ghost of Governess Elizabeth Gray is said to still haunt the premises.
Lochinvar Holy Trinity Church – EVPs recorded and physical touching reported.
Kurri Kurri – Richmond Vale Rail & Mining Museum, various strong paranormal activity has been reported here. Including physical manipulation of Locomotives.
Morisset train station, at night is haunted by a male spirit who walks the platform late at night seen by many witnesses who reputedly took his life by throwing himself in front of a train.
Wallsend Terminus – Wallsend, reputedly haunted by the ghost of a tram driver killed in a tragic streetcar accident on the 22-Jan 1928 Known as Alf McVie or “Hellfire Jack” a mad Christian crusader whose spirit continues to preach from the other side.
Fort Scratchley – Newcastle – The underground tunnels of Australia’s only fort to fire at an enemy in aggression are said to be haunted by former soldiers from the early 20th Century.
Newcastle Christ Church Cathedral – Newcastle (bell tower) More information needed.
James Fletcher Hospital – Many of the James Fletcher buildings used to be part of the original Newcastle Military Barracks, apparitions of redcoat soldiers have been seen in some of the buildings and on the parade ground.
Glenrock Lagoon – The ruins of the old colliery are said to be haunted by a convict who fell to his death off a cliff face while collecting water for his billy. When his body was found, the head was missing and according to folklore, the miner’s ghost still roams the region in search of his lost head.
Tomago House – Ghosts of the original owners and servants are rumoured to still haunt this colonial home.
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens – A young aboriginal girl had been raped and murdered by a group of soldiers on the Windeyer’s property in the 1800’s and she is known to make her presence felt at the back of the gardens.
No 4 Parnell Place Newcastle – Is reputedly haunted after a murder taking place on the premises.
Lake Cinema, Boolaroo – Previous owner still haunts the theatre in the backstage area.
Campbells Store, Morpeth – The ghost of a lady has been witnessed many times upstairs. A boy is said to still haunt around the site of an old well.
Glebe Gully Cemetery, East Maitland – A ghost of a woman is supposed to haunt up behind the last row of headstones. EVPs have been recorded near the line of family crypts.
West Wallsend Cemetery – Rumored to be one the “most haunted” cemeteries in the Hunter.
If anyone has any more information on haunted houses of ghostly locations in the Newcastle Hunter area, we’d love to hear from you!
