Add CategoryFrom creepy cities to eerie islands these spooky locations offer wannabe ghost-hunters the chance to live their own real life horror movie.
We've all heard stories of haunted houses, but did you know that many people believe entire cities, towns, villages and islands, can be haunted too?
Endowed with monikers such as the ‘witch city’ and ‘island of death’, these supernatural hotspots — both in Australia and overseas — are packed with tales of terror, and their spine-tingling streets and ancient alleys offer brave property investors the chance to share living space with the dead…
Port Arthur, Tasmania
Called ‘hell on earth’ by its convict prisoners, Port Arthur had a reputation as one of the worst prisons in the entire British empire.
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The ruins of the Port Arthur prison, which was originally constructed as a flour mill and granary in 1845. Picture: Getty
During its 47 years as a convict settlement, more than 1,000 people died within its boundaries, and it’s said that many of these unfortunate souls still linger.
Indeed, there’s so much activity here that more than 2,000 supernatural incidents have been recorded in the past two decades.
Believed to be one of the southern hemisphere's most active haunted places, visitors and staff have described all the spooky hallmarks of a haunted property: cold spots, ghostly touches, apparitions and moving lights. The museum even has an ‘unusual occurrence form’ on hand for anyone wanting to report an otherworldly incident.
While the unearthly inhabitants are numerous, there are also permanent living residents that call Port Arthur home too in the nearby village, which is a stone’s throw from the historic site.
Picton, NSW
Often referred to as ‘Australia’s most haunted town’, Picton’s small-town charm belies its infamous reputation.
Experiencing some tragedies in its time, Picton's Mushroom Tunnel is said to experience paranormal activity. Picture: Visit Wollondilly
A reputation that is centred on its Mushroom Tunnel, formerly known as the Redbank Range railway tunnel, which has claimed the lives of many former residents through accidents and suicides, the most well-known being Emily Bollard, who was struck and killed by a train in 1916.
The Picton railway Viaduct still stands in original condition and rumour has it the site might be haunted. Picture: Visit Wollondilly
In the intervening years, people have reported seeing the figure of woman in white with no face within the tunnel, in addition to sudden temperature drops and the sounds of spectral children in the darkness.
Keen to call Picton your home for life (and your afterlife)? This substantial 1880s homestead is currently for sale.
The circa 1880 homestead at 745 Barkers Lodge Road, Picton, has a further six buildings of mixed use and heritage significance. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The landmark property is located 10 kms outside of Picton in NSW. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Currently let for short term farm stay accommodation, the main property has ten ensuite bedrooms plus a further six buildings of mixed use and heritage significance.
Poveglia Island, Venice, Italy
Dubbed the ‘Island of Death’, Poveglia Island may only be a mere 10-minutes from St. Mark’s Square, yet its horrible history and decaying structures are a world away from the fun-filled sightseeing of the tourist epicentre.
The 19th century Venetian geriatric hospital on Poveglia island in Italy. Picture: Getty
A quarantine colony during the Bubonic Plague in the 1300s, the island became a dumping (and later burial) ground for thousands of the city’s sick and dying.
In later life, the unhappy island became a mental asylum where patients received questionable treatment, before being abandoned in 1986.
The island of Poveglia, with its ruined hospital and plague burial grounds, is said to be the most haunted location in the world. Picture: Getty
Almost three decades past before it was purchased by an Italian businessman for close to $800,000. However, soon after construction crews moved in to renovate the former hospital building, work abruptly stopped without explanation leading some to believe they were driven away by the island's restless spirits.
Now abandoned once more, the eerie isle is experiencing a second life as a 'dark tourism' attraction for thrill-seeking locals and travellers.
Kapunda, South Australia
Another contender for Australia’s ‘most haunted town’ is Kapunda.
The SA town of Kapunda has a haunted past. Picture: realestate.com.au
Set near the famed Barossa wine region an hour’s drive north of Adelaide, the former copper mining town witnessed a string of violent murders during its pioneering days.
Since then, ghosts have been reported by locals and have even been documented in hit paranormal investigation show, “Haunting: Australia.”
Want to set up permanent home here to try a spot of ghost hunting for yourself? There are currently several properties listed here, including a mix of brand new house and land packages, as well as an historic former Catholic hall now converted into holiday accommodation.
Sighisoara, Transylvania, Romania
The birthplace of none other than the original vampire himself, Count Dracula (well, sort of) the small Medieval town of Sighisoara in the city of Transylvania has become a go-to for vampire fanatics worldwide.
A view of old town Sighisoara, Transylvania, Romania at dusk. Picture: Getty
Famed for birthing Vlad the Impaler (the man who inspired the character of Count Dracula in the original book) this UNESCO World Heritage site is also known as a hotbed for hauntings and lays claim to a torture museum containing actual torture devices from the town’s Medieval past.
If you want to rub shoulders with villainous vamps, you can snap up this apartment — part of which dates back at least to the 1730s — for a very wallet-friendly $300,000.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Often hailed as the ‘most haunted city in America’, the balmy streets of New Orleans attract partygoers and paranormal enthusiasts in equal measure.
The main bar area of Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter. Picture: Getty
Indeed, stroll through its famed French Quarter on any given night, and you’re likely to encounter above-ground graveyards, vampires, voodoo practitioners and everything in-between.
Haunted spots include Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, Tableau– an old theatre said to haunted by an unlikely combination of soldiers and nuns — and the LaLaurie Mansion. Immortalised on the small screen in the American Horror franchise, the LaLaurie Mansion has long been regarded as the most haunted property in the New Orleans French Quarter.
Marie Laveau's above ground tomb at Saint Louis' No. 1 Cemetery. Picture: Getty
The city is also home to what has been called ‘the most haunted cemetery in the US’: St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Buried here are pirates, killers, and the queen of voodoo herself, Marie Laveau. Today, pilgrims visit her grave to pay their respects and to ask favours of the long dead voodoo queen.
Norfolk Island, NSW
Another contender for the ‘Australia’s most haunted location’ tag, Norfolk Island is said to boast more documented ghosts per square kilometre than any other state or territory.
The breathtaking landscape has a haunted past. Picture: realestate.com.au
Ruins of the New Goal of the former Penal Colony, Kingston, Norfolk Island. Picture: Getty
Situated around 1,600-kilometres northeast of Sydney, the beautiful island is endowed with serious good looks.
The historic Norfolk Island Cemetery contains graves of convicts, soldiers and Pitcairn Islanders. Picture: Getty
Yet, despite being postcard-perfect, Norfolk was a penal colony for the detention of twice-convicted men — convicts who had committed further crimes since arriving in NSW.
Kept under torturous conditions, many of these hardened criminals met their fate and — if you believe local reports — never left.
If life on a haunted, former penal colony appeals, you’re in luck! There’s currently several properties listed for sale here.
York, UK
Founded more than two millennia ago, this is a city soaked in history, from ancient Romans and Vikings, to Guy Fawkes and marauding Scots. But wealth of history aside, York another claim to fame: ghosts.
York is said to be the most haunted city in Europe. Picture: Getty
The International Ghost Research Foundation declared York as THE most haunted city in Europe due to its bloodstained history, and that fact that its 13th-century walls and precariously balanced Tudor and Elizabethan houses, are home to some 500-plus documented hauntings.
Hauntings that include spectral Roman centurion soldiers, a medieval nun who was bricked up alive in what is now the town’s theatre, and ‘Mad Alice’ a young woman who was executed in 1825 for “dangerous insanity. ”
Salem, Massachusetts, USA
While the historic New England town of Salems has hauntings aplenty, it’s primarily known for another supernatural attraction: witches.
Famous globally for the notorious 1692 witch trials, during which 20 innocent people were killed, the American town has since embraced its dark past and turned itself into the official Halloween capital of the country. But amidst the fake witchery, there’s a burgeoning population of real-life witches calling Salem home too.
The 'Witch House', built circa 1675, is the only structure still standing in Salem that has a direct connection to the witchcraft trials. Picture: Getty
In a twist of fate, the town that is most famous for killing ‘witches’ has become a modern day Mecca for real-life followers of ‘the craft.’ Now dubbed the witchcraft capital of the world, there are an estimated population of 2,000-plus witches and pagans living in and around Salem and this number is steadily increasing and many more contemporary witches are snapping up property here to join the burgeoning magical community.