If you haven’t heard of the horrors of the Monte Cristo Homestead, welcome to Haunted Australia 101. This spooky country estate has a tragic backstory and unsolved murder and has been dubbed the most haunted home in Australia. Limited accommodation is available and bookings include a three course dinner, ghost tour, overnight stay and breakfast in the morning. 1 Homestead Lane, Junee; ghosttourbookings.com.au

The gateway to Australia for those immigrating to our shores, the Manly Quarantine Station quickly earned a grizzly reputation as Death’s Waiting Room, with those suspected of suffering from an infectious disease forced to quarantine for 40 agonising days at Manly’s North Head. Ghost tours, overnight stays and the Boiler Room restaurant are all major attractions to this living museum. North Head Scenic Drive, Manly; qstation.com.au

Well before European settlers established in the Jenolan Caves area of the Blue Mountains, the Gundungurra and Wiradjuri peoples feared and revered the spooky caverns and surrounding bushland. These days, the caves are said to be haunted by James Wiburd, who worked at Jenolan for nearly 50 years, from 1885 to 1932 while Jenolan Caves House is home to more than a few mischievous ghost children who make a habit of playing knock and run on hotel guests doors. 4655 Jenolan Caves Rd, Jenolan; book-directonline.com/jenolancaveshouse

Redbank Tunnel, also known as the cursed Mushroom Tunnel of Picton is located in the Macarthur Region of New South Wales, in Australia. It has seen its share of suicide, murder and accidental death over the years and residents report seeing a white flowing figure of a woman as they make their way through the 180-metre long tunnel. Some speculate it is the spirit of Emily Bollard, who was struck and killed by a train in the tunnel in 1916. 229 Argyle Street, Picton.

A notorious stretch of road on Sydney’s north shore, the Wakehurst Parkway has been known for decades as a highway to hell. Ghostly apparitions appearing in the road, phantom hitchhikers, and a sorrowful young woman named Kelly, the road is one best travelled during daylight hours. Narrabeen to Seaforth, Sydney NSW.

Since 1867, Mayday Hills AKA Beechworth ‘Lunatic’ Asylum has been looming over the Victorian countryside, a dark reminder of the 1700 residents and staff that once called the property home. Little was known about mental wellness in Beechworth’s hay day and getting locked up was shockingly easy, so naturally some residents have unfinished business. 22 Kurrajong Way, Beechworth; asylumghosttours.com

Built in 1856 for Victoria’s first Auditor General Charles Hotson Ebden, Black Rock House’s history is a grim with claims of ghost sightings from as far back as the 1920s, particularly a woman in white leaping from the top of the building before vanishing, as well as men fighting in the front yard echoing through time from when the property was used for illegal bare knuckle fights. These are just some of the 13 ghosts said to haunt Black Rock House. 30 – 36 Ebden Avenue, Black Rock; blackrockhouse.org.au

At the end of an isolated country track you’ll find Point Cook Homestead, one of Australia’s oldest post-colonial structures. Once the home of the Chirnside family, the homestead is allegedly haunted by the family patriarch Thomas, as well as mysterious figures roaming the private beach. 1 Point Cook Homestead Road, Point Cook; visitmelbourne.com

Victoria’s longest running colonial gaol, Geelong Gaol has 170 years of history as one of the most miserable places in Australia. With that many decades under its belt, there’s little surprise a few spirits have stuck around completing their sentences. Ghost, history, paranormal, and deaf tours can be booked here. 202 Myers Street, Geelong; geelonggaol.com.au

It’s probably safe to say that if it was once labelled a ‘lunatic asylum’ it’s probably going to be haunted. That said, the Aradale Asylum has some particularly revolting stories, one including a lovingly tended pumpkin and its subsequent use as a latrine. Girdlestone Street, Ararat; jward.org.au

Old Melbourne Gaol, and specifically Cell 17, are notorious hotspots for paranormal activity at this nearly two-centuries old horror. Witness to 133 executions, plus countless more deaths due to riots, poor conditions and neglect, the Old Melbourne Gaol is a must-visit for all ghoulish tourists. 377 Russell Street, Melbourne; oldmelbournegaol.com.au

Home to Melbourne’s most theatrical ghost, Italian-born British opera singer Anatole Baker, the Princess Theatre has a history as dazzling as it is frightening. Since his death in 1888 after suffering a heart attack during the dramatic finale of Faust, Baker has been haunting the halls and backstage of the theatre where Bert Newton, Marina Prior, Lisa McCune and many of the venue’s everyday staff have reported experiences. You’ll need to book a ticket to experience Baker’s antics, but don’t sit in his seat – the staff save him one for every performance. 163 Spring Street, Melbourne; marrinergroup.com.au

Before it was the National Film and Sound Archive, Canberra’s home of cinema served as the Institute of Anatomy for more than half a century. Artefacts like Ned Kelly’s skull, Phar Lap’s heart, dozens of human skeletons and even the ashes of the Institute’s founder, Sir Colin MacKenzie were, and still are stored in Canberra’s most haunted building. As well as McKenzie’s spectre hovering near his ashes, a little girl has been seen multiple times jumping out of a theatrette to make children on tours laugh. McCoy Circuit, Acton; nfsa.gov.au/visit-us

In stark contrast to the vibrant artist community in Fremantle, the rather unpleasant ghosts in the Arts Centre are a throwback to the building’s time as the Fremantle Asylum and Invalid Depot. That’s right, another asylum. While the building was initially supposed to house only 50 people, by 1900, 219 patients resided in the space with up to 20 people occupying a single room. 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle; fac.org.au

During its 47 years as a penal colony, Port Arthur claimed the lives of over 1000 people. Described as ‘hell on Earth’ by many of the prisoners held at the prison, the stains of the settlement’s dark history are not limited to one building alone. 6973 Arthur Highway, Port Arthur; Regular tours can be booked at portarthur.org.au