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Accessibility, discovery centre, lunatic asylum.

Take a guided tour through the cavernous wall and halls of the institution that treated and housed Victoria's mentally ill for over 126 years.

Aradale Asylum was an Australian psychiatric hospital, located in Ararat, a rural city in Victoria, Australia. Now a ghost "town", Aradale was once known as the Ararat Lunatic Asylum.

Aradale and its two sister asylums at Kew and Beechworth were commissioned to accommodate the growing number of "lunatics" in the colony of Victoria. Construction began in 1865 and was opened for patients in 1867. It was closed as an asylum in 1993. At its height, Aradale had up to 1000 patients and is a large complex with up to 70 interesting historic abandoned buildings.

Enter the Lunatic Asylum, Ghost Tour - JWard

Prepare yourself for an evening of horror and history as you are taken back in time and through the doors of the infamous J Ward Division of the Ararat Mental Hospital.

Description

• Two hour tour of the J Ward including access to the cells
• Professional, local guide
• Museum entry

The J Ward began as a prison for the goldfields in 1859 and when the gold ran out in the 1880s it was taken over by the Lunacy Department to house the criminally insane. Over the following century it was home to some of the most dangerous men in Victoria.You will even be able to enter their cells if you dare.

Experience Details

Fitness and experience.

• This is a 2 hour ghost tour and some areas are only accessible by steep stairs.
• Wheelchair access is limited
• You must be at least 12 years old to go on the late tour

What to Bring/Wear

• Please wear comfortable walking shoes
• Bring a torch, umbrella and your camera
• Don't forget your Adrenalin Booking Confirmation

What is Supplied

• 2 hour tour of the J Ward in the Ararat Mental Hospital
• Professional, local tour guide
• Access to the cells - if you dare!

More Information

PLEASE NOTE: To access J Ward venue you must have completed double COVID-19 Vaccination, show card and photo ID at the door.

Cancellation Policy

• Change your booking up to 48 hours before the start time of your experience
• Changes are not permitted within 48 hours of your experience
• Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience

  Available Dates

Ararat (Melbourne)

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Lantern Ghost Tours

Multi award winning ghost tours with Australia's largest ghost tour operator

Australia's most famous ghost tours.

OUR FEATURED TOURS

Mainly Indoors

120 Minutes

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Visit Australia's home to the criminally insane. Discover the residence of notorious criminals including Chopper Read, Gary Webb and William Wallace. Visit burial grounds, hangman's gallows and spirits lingering in eternal unrest.

ADELAIDE: Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour & Investigation

Be incarcerated in Australia's longest continuously operating gaol. With 45 hangings and a burial site, it's no surprise more than 12 spirits haunt the 147 year old building. Also includes the use of paranormal equipment. Not for the faint hearted.

Street Tour

SYDNEY: Ghost Tour around the Rocks

Come back in time with us to historic Sydney. A time when prisoners were the law, public executions were commonplace and the Rocks Push ruled the street. We will also squeeze in visits to Sydney’s best insta photo spots.

MELBOURNE: Old Melbourne Ghost Tour

Journey back to a time of opium dens, poor houses supplying bodies in the name of advancing medical science and famous opera singer Federici giving his most dramatic performance. Includes Melbourne’s best insta spots.

ABOUT  US

WE HAVE BEEN VISITING AUSTRALIA’ MOST HAUNTED LOCATIONS FOR OVER 15  YEARS

Be incarcerated in a lunatic asylum, visit an abandoned morgue or be a ghost hunter for the night. Lantern Ghost Tours run multi-award winning tours to Australia's most haunted locations. Our tours have featured on all major TV stations, newspapers and radio including Great South East, Coxy's Big Break, Sunrise, Channel 7 News, Eat Play Stay.

Learning about the gruesome details of its history is intriguing as much as it is ominous and tragic. Our guide was so passionate in her story telling, you could tell she cared deeply about the city’s history. There’s also great opportunities to see great views...

Maria H- Google Review

My daughter and I enjoyed trying out the divining rods and felt a little freaked out. Would definitely recommend booking this and including the meal if you can afford it, it's well worth the money. The food was 5 star and the staff were so friendly.

Fiona W- Google Review

Fantastic tour! The guides were very informative about the history…They were bubbly and made the night very enjoyable. Got to use some equipment and experienced some paranormal activity too! Highly recommended it. Looking forward to coming back.

Katarzyna P- Google Review

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Extended 6-Hour Tour Available

Paranormal Investigations at the Aradale Lunatic Asylum

Quick Details

• Calendar Availability: Friday & Saturday
• Clock Time : Paranormal investigations Fridays 8 pm & Saturdays 7:30 pm and the Ultimate Paranormal investigations on Saturdays 6:30 pm. ( During Daylight Savings, Paranormal Investigations start at 9 pm And Ultimate Paranormal starts at 8 pm)
• Hour Glass Duration: 3 hours (Standard) & 6 hours (Ultimate)
• User Ages: 18 and up Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate any flexibility regarding the age limit of 18.
• Info Note: This tour is not suitable for customers under the age of 18.

Discover the Haunted Locations of the Aradale Lunatic Asylum

Do you think you have what it takes to embark on Australia’s premier paranormal investigation experience? The Aradale lunatic asylum is full of spectres and spirits just waiting to communicate with you.

Come and join us for a three-hour paranormal investigation. Led by Australia’s leading paranormal investigation team, this tour gives you a chance to search for evidence of the paranormal using a large range of state-of-the-art equipment in one of the most haunted locations in Australia.

Be guided by one of our professional paranormal investigators through Australia’s largest abandoned lunatic asylum. With a vast arsenal of impressive ghost hunting equipment, this is your chance to explore parts of the facility otherwise unavailable to the public. You never know what kind of encounters you might have. Will it be an eerie sound with no obvious source? A blur of motion or signs of movement around you? An unsettling smell indicative of previous occupants? Join us at the Aradale mental asylum and hunt for the patients that still roam these halls.

EXTENDED 6-HOUR TOUR OPTION

Three hours not enough? Want a chance to REALLY explore and investigate Aradale? For a longer ghostly experience, book the Ultimate Investigation and spend up to six hours in this spooky building.

Explore parts of the asylum not available on any other tour, and have time to lose yourself in your favourite locations. 

Our trained investigators bring with them an array of equipment including:

• Night vision cameras
• Infrared goggles
• Laser grids
• EMF detectors
• Laser thermometers
• Parabolic microphones
• Spirit boxes
• Motion sensors
• Shadow detectors
• A wide range of other equipment

18+ only [Non-negotiable]

Meet at Ararat Lunatic Asylum 15 minutes prior to departure.

Ararat Lunatic Asylum, Heath St, Ararat, Victoria 3377, Australia

• Chevron down Terms and Conditions

Tickets are non-refundable.

Tickets can only be transferred to another date, name or different product of the same value if rebooked 24 hours prior to booking start time.

No intoxicated people will be admitted. No drinking is permitted on tour. Guide instruction must be followed at all times.

Breaking these terms can result in refusal or removal from tours without refund.

Customers will not hold Eerie Tours liable for any injury or loss of property.

In the event of a coronavirus outbreak, incident or illness, credit notes will be provided.

Total fire ban cancellations – Should a fire danger rating of extreme or catastrophic occur on the day of a scheduled tour, we will issue you with a credit note. Aradale Asylum and Melbourne’s Quarantine Station will close on such days, as per State Government Legislation.

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Larundel Hospital: An Abandoned Mental Asylum in Melbourne

13 February 2013

On the outskirts of Melbourne, the former Larundel Mental Asylum casts a sombre shadow over the surrounding housing developments. Only a few buildings remain out of a complex which once housed hundreds of patients; and with a whole repertoire of supernatural reports attached to the site, these last, gloomy wards are a popular destination for both urban explorers and paranormal investigators alike.

Larundel Mental Asylum

The last remains of the Larundel Mental Asylum currently await demolition, amidst plans for a new plot of residential developments. It was once a thriving facility however, and at its peak was able to accommodate as many as 750 patients.

The initial foundations for the Larundel Hospital were laid in 1938, but the outbreak of WWII placed all plans on hold. Over the next five years the half-finished site would be put to a number of different uses; it served as a hospital for the RAAF and US military, as well as providing a training depot for WAAF operations. During the post-war years of 1946-48, the buildings were used as temporary emergency housing.

It wasn’t until 15 years after construction began, that Larundel Asylum began admitting its first psychiatric patients in 1953. This particular site was closely tied with other contemporary facilities in the city of Melbourne; namely the Mont Park Asylum, and the Plenty Valley Repatriation Psychiatric Hospital. I investigated both of these sites, but sadly they are no more; the remains of the Mont Park Asylum have been turned into student housing for La Trobe University, while the Plenty Valley Repatriation Psychiatric Hospital is now an art gallery.

During its heyday, Larundel dealt with patients including those suffering from acute psychiatric, psychotic and schizophrenic disorders. As pharmaceutical treatments began to replace traditional, institutional care for psychiatric patients in the late 1990s, the Larundel Mental Asylum was one of the many Victoria mental hospitals to be closed down.

In the 15 years since closure, 550 new dwellings have sprung up in the former grounds of the asylum. A cluster of the old wards still remain, however – clinging onto memories as their final demise draws inevitably closer.

Into the Asylum

I visited this site along with a fellow travelling photographer, who I had met online. Getting inside the Larundel Asylum was easy enough – the site lies just off a main road, tucked into the corner of a residential estate. We made our way first towards the main building. From a distance, every ground floor door and window appeared to have been sealed with metal plating. Soon enough however, we spotted a bent corner on the barrier over a side door to the asylum. Waiting for a passing car to disappear out of sight, we made a dash for it, scrambling through the gap and into the stale space beyond.

The small chamber was bare, other than a flight of stairs leading up to a higher level. The first thing to strike me was the amount of traffic this site apparently received; there were beer bottles and plastic bags strewn across the floor, while every conceivable surface had been tagged in graffiti scrawls. The effect was like the aftermath of an explosion in a paint factory .

Reaching the first floor we passed through a series of dilapidated rooms, before finding ourselves in a long corridor that seemed to connect the length of the building. The asylum had seriously deteriorated over its years of disuse, and parts of the ceiling hung low enough to brush against the soiled carpets. Watching my step carefully, I took a turn-off to investigate a long balcony that extended across the back of the building.

From here it was possible to gaze out across the other buildings which constituted the site of the former hospital, and the parkland beyond them. Here are there, I was able to spot gangs of youths and the occasional dog walker – I didn’t linger here though, in case they in turn had seen me.

Back in the maze of first floor corridors, I came across a wooden cabinet laying in the middle of the passage, and trailing a long electrical cable; beneath it hid the petrified body of a large bat.

The main building of the Larundel Mental Asylum was constructed around a central courtyard, with a raised walkway running from one side to the other. The courtyard itself was heavily overgrown, its undergrowth rustling occasionally with the movement of birds, mammals or perhaps even marsupials.

I met with my fellow explorer again on the far side of the building – we had taken different routes as we scouted around the corridors which flanked the central courtyard. Here on the corner several passages fed into one large hall. An entire section of graffitied wall had fallen away, allowing a cascade of bright sunshine into the room. The juxtaposition of green treetops against these dim, musty corridors made for a striking contrast.

For the most part, the Larundel Asylum had been entirely stripped of its furnishings: nothing remained to even hint at its former use as a psychiatric facility. A few room contained upturned bookcases or wardrobes, whilst another held the rusted remains of a boiler.

Then we found the bathroom.

Most of the graffiti around the site did little to benefit the atmosphere – the asylum serving rather as a blank canvas for would-be artists to let off steam. Here though, the painted images and words created a startling effect. High above the earth-filled bathtub, the words “Help me” were daubed in red paint; to one side, what appeared to be a figure in a straightjacket was wrapped in the embrace of some kind of demon. Even the mess of tags and scribbles that filled the other walls seemed to add to the general malaise of chaos and insanity.

“Jump in me,” invited a laundry chute on the next corridor. I declined, after peering inside the vent and shining a torch towards the basement level two floors beneath.

We headed down to the ground floor next by way of a large double stair. This opened onto a concrete path, cutting from one side of the courtyard to the other. Careful to avoid the dense undergrowth and its mystery inhabitants, we made back towards our initial point of entry; this time to make the same circuit at ground level.

In the corner of the building we found a large foyer area, where a capsized vending machine had been beaten apart to expose its cargo of decade-old soft drinks. One door led off to a side chamber, open to the sky, an entrancing mural of two lifelike eyes painted onto its far wall.

From here a corridor led off to the right, following the circumference of the building in a counter-clockwise manner. Various cells in this section featured just a narrow observation window at the top of the door.

The decay here was the worst we had yet seen. A fire had left walls and ceilings blackened, while molten light fittings hung from the ceilings like the dirty fruit of some dark, blasphemous tree. In some parts of the corridor, the fire had burnt through the carpet and the wooden floorboards beneath; exposing blackened beams and basements. I took a look through one of the larger holes. Tempted as I was to climb down and investigate, there seemed to be no easy way back out.

By the time we made it back out of the main asylum building, it was already dark. We crossed the road by streetlight, and headed towards the next.

Exploring the Compound

In the increasing darkness, it was almost hard to tell which buildings were part of the hospital complex – and which constituted the surrounding residences. It’s strange to see a sprawling abandoned site in such harmony with its surroundings. Joggers and dog walkers follow the paths formerly reserved for patients, while the buildings themselves have become play areas for daredevil youths from the estate.

Our second building stood next to a smart suburban bungalow, and so we had to be discrete as we slipped in through the open door at the side. Something stirred as we passed under the lintel. A lithe, furry creature leapt from a first floor windowsill, disappearing inside the building. Its eyes caught the light as it moved, and in any other place I would have said it was a small cat. Here though, it could just as easily have been a possum.

We soon discovered that this second, smaller building was not as exciting as the first. The vandalism was more severe, and the first floor hall we soon found ourselves in was almost completely obscured beneath broken fragments of its own ceiling. A large stairwell descended on the opposite side, where a floor-to-ceiling art deco window opened onto the purple sky beyond. While the top of the window remained intact, every pane of glass within reach of the stairs had been smashed; their remains jutted out from the frame like broken teeth in a square mouth.

The third building proved more interesting. We had to pass a wilted perimeter fence to reach this long, one-storey structure – although the site was so easily accessible, that by now it was hard to tell whether we were entering or leaving the restricted area. Here we split up, and took different routes through the building. The entrance to the main foyer was covered with a thick wire mesh; scouting along the veranda though, I soon found access through the broken wooden panels of a back door.

This building seemed to have served as an administrative centre for Larundel Mental Asylum. A series of office-sized rooms were clustered around the first hallway, in one of which I discovered a rusted old safe. After this came a large hall divided into wooden booths. These had originally been screened with a row of curtains, but now the pole itself lay trailing cloth on the dusty carpet.

It was here that I found my first venomous spider, building its web across the gap between two wooden pillars. The Australian black house spider isn’t considered particularly dangerous… but it’s a giant compared to the majority of spiders back home in England. Supposedly its bite is liable to be “excruciatingly painful and cause local swelling,” while possible symptoms include “nausea, vomiting, sweating and giddiness”. I decided to give it a wide berth.

I ran into my accomplice in the room next door, where a lone chair stood sentry over the junction between two corridors. We returned around the other side of the building, past a boiler room and out into the night. Stepping over the trailing security fence we headed back to the main road, and waited for a tram to the city.

The Ghosts of Larundel Asylum

At the time of my visit to the Larundel Mental Asylum, I was naïve to many of the stories attached to it. It was only when I later researched the history of the site, that I began stumbling across mentions of the asylum at Bundoora, scattered across a range of websites dedicated to ghosts and paranormal investigation. In the fifteen years or so since the asylum closed its doors, it seems that many visitors have reported strange phenomena inside this increasingly dilapidated building. The most common accounts refer to loud crashes and banging sounds coming through the walls, as well as strange smells and even the sound of children or babies crying.

The Larundel complex certainly is a noisy place. Situated on the edge of a park, the buildings are often hit by strong gusts of wind. The metal sheets riveted over every ground floor window and door have a habit of rattling and groaning – often with unsettling results. There were numerous moments during my exploration of the asylum, that I almost became convinced we were not alone in the building. The voices and occasional laughter from passing pedestrians have a habit of getting caught inside the walls, their echoes bouncing down the still corridors. My concerns, however, were primarily related to getting caught inside; the possibility of a supernatural presence didn’t even cross my mind.

Much of the graffiti around the asylum seems to be aimed at perpetuating this sense of paranormal unease. Phrases like, “save yourselves” or “I can hear them through the walls” appear everywhere, usually painted in neat, joined-up handwriting.

The most prevailing myth linked to Melbourne’s Larundel Asylum however, tells the story of a young girl who died on the third floor. This girl used to play with a music box, so the story goes, and apparently now you can sometimes hear it playing in the asylum at night. I even found a Youtube video which seems to have captured the thin strains of distant music within the Larundel Mental Asylum.

I always appreciate a good story, and would be the first in line for an up-close experience of the supernatural kind… but I feel my own sentiments can be summed up with a quote from the urban explorer, Ninjalicious :

“I’m not suggesting that you actively refuse to believe in anything supernatural, merely that you take an agnostic approach and don’t believe it ’til you see it. There’s no real down side to doing this, since ghosts, unlike gods, aren’t known for punishing people for their lack of faith.”

Comments are closed.

hi i am john

oh my golly!!!! how difficult, wow…. have a good day.

I reflect back to a time where I spent a couple of weeks in the hospital back in 1993, I felt an eariery feeling, like I had been there before, it was confirmed that I had been taken there as a child, left at a nurses station while my adult supervisor visited a patient, years later after my traumatic childhood remained dormat I ended up in the hospital for I believe I was unable to cope with fighting my hidden past, I made a call on my instinct and found out that my intuition was correct and that I had been taken there as a child and was told on that phone call that the person my supervisor way back then had visited a lady called Carmen and she later hung herself, I guess I knew that something felt out of the ordinary and it had been confirmed by this person in a conversation, I wonder if he intended the same outcome for myself years later?

I have been here you don’t want to go in there my friends and I spent 24 hours in there without any sleep and throughout the whole night all I could feel was something hovering over my shoulder I kept seeing little orbs and shadows running past corridors one of my friends I was with got a glass sprite bottle thrown at him in a empty cell room I wouldn’t recommend going but you do you I can’t stop you

I went there many times when I lived in Melbourne and found it amazing it should be saved

I had a family member in Larundel for some time and I’d like to learn more about them. Has anybody had any luck requesting a FOI on any records? Where would be the best place to apply?

Why not save it? It seems like we should save important history and it’s not like we need more appartments instead of finding abandoned factories and malls and turning them into new buildings.

Hey I have a YouTube channel and I was wanting to do a video on this place so I went there and there is no way to get in to the building. I was just wondering if u have a number for the people who own the building or new and anyone who can help me get in.

From what I’ve heard the music box was put in there by Melbourne Uni students to frighten ghost hunters, as a bit of a lark.

Wow!!! just horrible. have a great day

Wow, thank you… In my youth I had spent quite a bit of time at Larundel, as my Mum commenced attending Alanon meetings there. I would have been around 7 years old and the circumstances leading to our presence at this place were just as (actually, much more…) haunting as the asylum you have captured and shared here. I have many reflections I could… and will share here. Most vividly, I remember being the only kid who was brought along to these meetings, so often… I would venture increasingly further down the hallwalls, taking various next, brave and bold, next steps around corners…. sneaking further down another dark or dimly lit hallway – many featuring historic photos of the asylum… of patients, their treatments, staff…. black and white, ghostly… some grotesque faces distorted twisted spasm tormented faces of people.

Thanks Michael, you are brave.

My father was sent to the Asylum in the mid 70’s. He suffered with epilepsy and the doctors felt this was the best place for him, whilst my mum had to care for 3 children under 5. For many years I have blacked out the memories. Throughout my primary school years I chose to tell my friends my father was dead, unable to explain he was trapped in an asylum.

The photos haunt me, the bricks, the corridors. However, they do not capture what you and I experienced… The screams The fear The darkness Closed doors Banging on doors from those trapped behind them Keep your head down and don’t look at anyone.. except your dad. Where is dad?

I’m sorry dad.

Thank you for the awakening

I was a patient in larundel in 1975. I was in a secretion called Fawkner House, which was for 16-25 year olds, approximately. I was admitted with severe depression and post trauma issues. I spent about 12 months there. I have to say it was an amazingly positive experience which turned by life around. The treatment was drug free and consisted solely of group therapy for 5-6 hours a day. The staff were psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses. All of them were incredibly caring and competent. I left there feeling so much better, and have nothing but feelings of gratitude for my time there.

I was a patient at Larundel when Professor Graham Burrows established an eating disorder and mood disorder unit in the mid 1980s.Had a few admissions…in the building that you photographed.Not great memories; but I’m glad there’s evidence of its existence.

Hi I’m very interested in having a look though sometime to explore

I done some exploring there at around 3 am and let me say although all my video and film recording captured nothin that could not be 100 percent debunked,the screaming energy and pain of the decades passed ended up making me run

My grandmother had Schizophrenia & spend time here, apparently she hated it & was given shock treatments. She ended up committing suicide, leaving her young children behind. (youngest was a baby) I do wonder if her lack of support & experiences here and not wanting to come back here is what pushed her to such extreme action, such a tragedy, I’m so glad there is starting to be understanding and support for mental health.

This is a heart breaking story. Sorry your grandmother went through this mental torment. Like yourself I also wonder about the lack of awareness and support for generations past. I googled this mental hospital because my mother said she was here in the early seventies. She had accused my father of improper behaviour towards my siblings (I was only 2) but the police didn’t believe her because of history of mental illness in her family. She was depressed had shock treatment but eventually managed to get on with her life without her children. My siblings and I continued to live with my father, a paedophile. Now in my fifties I feel like I have suffered through out my life and feel let down by the Australian authorities all those years ago.

I worked at the Mont Paek institution for six or seven months in 1959-1960 as an orderly, specifically in the one-story surgical hospital with wings for both men and women. A Canadian, I was traveling in Australia with friends for a year, and as I had been a pre-med student at UBC in Vancouver and had worked one summer as an orderly, I got this job at Mont Paek. What a bizarre experience; I witnessed disgraceful and unethical practices at the institution. I have pictures of myself with some of the patients. Unfortunately, none of the pictures online depict this surgical unit.

I was a patient here in the early 1970’s A Ward to North 4 ward had ECT lot of bad memories as well

My grandmother spent most of her adult life there, it was always hidden within the family, I have been trying to connect with any patients or carers to try and get an idea of what she may have went through

I am after a direct email address for this place, anyone know where i can find it?

Hi everyone My mother spent a lot of time in out out of this hospital would love to be able to get her medical records.Who would I contact please or do you have a email address. Kind regards

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tFP1zfMyMgwTTZJNzZgtFI1qDBLTDEzMTMAAiNjU0NzUyuDirQk86QkE6NEA-NEc_PUFEMvsZzEotK8lNQchdzUvJLEHIXE4sqc0lwAOD8XIA&q=larundel+mental+asylum&rlz=1C1ZKTG_enAU899AU899&oq=Larundel&aqs=chrome.1.0i355i457j46i175i199j69i57j46i175i199j0l3j69i60.5693j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

My grandmother was in and out of Laurundel in the 1970’s for depression. She was also pregnant with my uncle while admitted and discharged. From the records of her admissions and discharges it was a useless place. It’s the reason I never got to meet her because she killed herself before I was born, and her youngest son doesn’t even know the real truth of her death. Disgusting.

Gosh when I was 17-18 yrs old I worked there at the front office and Was taught the switchboard by a Scottish lady and the CEO at that time used to work at Beechworth asylum , I drove past there yesterday.

Hi Hania, I would love to speak with you regarding the daily life there. Let me know if I can get in touch, thanks

Gosh when I was 17-18 yrs old I worked there at the front office and some telephonist work,, I drove past there yesterday.

hey, this place looks so cool! is it still abandoned to this day.. also how do you get in if anyone knows feel free to comment back… cheers

I live in Bundoora and every time I dive pass it I all way wounder what is looks like in side. But now I know (sorry for any spelling mistakes)

Hi, I was lucky enough to do my student Nursing experience here in the main building in the last two weeks before I was assisting the staff to transport the patients to the new hospital. I remember a lot about some of the patients and learnt a lot from the staff working there.

is this place still available to explore? i really need to film it for one of my project

Amazing. Good to see someone else interested in the old place. As a child I use to ride my bike through there. It was still operational at that time 1970’s. There was also a place called Cresswell.

Do I need a permission to get in?

I was there as a security officer in 2000’s never came across spirits. Came across a few squatters.

There was a “ghost” in North 6 ward. I heard it walking the corridors a couple of times during night shift as a nurse. We were tuned to hear people moving around and check. Twice no-one there, very early morning. Thanks, it looked very different when working there. The dereliction makes it look very spooky. I thought it all gone now, except one building they kept?

Would u mind talking to me about this I’m doing some research about it [email protected]

My father used to cook for the doctors and nurses at Larundel

This is a Virtual Tour of Larundel from 2014. They had started to clear this area out. Click on the hotspots to go to that area. http://lindsaybrown.com.au/larundel.html

My Dad use to be a patient at Laurundal and we use to visit him in the late 1970,s. Was not a nice experience l have seen a padded cell where he was locked up in with his blood on the walls. There were lots of people just drugged so much they could not comprehend anything. I use to laugh at a lady who was singing to a man playing the piano and she use to lift her dress up and had no underpants on. My Dad came home for some weekends and was just so drugged. Later he decided to never have his drugs again and he got to violent for any family member to be part of his life.

Used to be a patient there. Have some great stories. There were babies in the main building on the upper floor. Called the academic or professorial building. Mothers with pnd or other psych probs. Some did die there.

Hi, I am doing some research regarding the daily life there. I’d love to speak with you. email [email protected] , thanks Tina

I am wondering if it was possible for me to have a few words with the owner about possibly taking some photos in this beautiful building with permission from the owner that is as i am very curious on what photos i could produce if i were to get permission nothing would be touched or destroyed or vandalised that you for your time

Hi Jake, as mentioned in the comments below, it seems as though La Trobe University are the people to speak to. Good luck!

I want to take pic here do? how do I do that and where even is this?

My brother was admitted to Larundal in the early 70s, he had drug induced schizophrenia (marijuana). The day i visited him he was at the local pub with the nurses when i arrived, they (the nurses) took the patients to the pub for drinks (alcohol) which they mixed with their anti-psychotic medication! Wouldnt be my idea of treatment. He slept in a dormitory style room, with around 20 other patients. He ‘shuffled’ when he walked which was a side effect of the medication. My brother was 20 years old at this time. He ran away from Larundel and shortly after this he went missing. My brother has now been missing for 30 years.

That does sound like a very strange form of treatment. I wonder if it was officially approved? Anyway, I’m sorry to hear about your loss Patricia, and I’m grateful that you took the time to share the story here. I think it’s good to remind people about the human stories (and tragedies) attached to the legacy of institutions like this.

Drug Induced Psychosis- not drug induced schizophrenia- there’s no such thing except for in the imagination of the imaginer -in bins that imagination is always in the indoctrinated imagining things they’ve been taught to imagine- but in reality it has to be what it is- a drug effect- and should be treated as a drug effect psychosis- like it would be in any Lapland country- i’m sorry to hear what happened to your brother, the same happened to mine but from amphetamine, the trouble with it all is, once their drugged their going mad- going on it– that they even admit happens, and that’s after they’ve judged you mad- and drugged you with that mad, if you try to escape once they’ve addicted you, you go even madder than going on it, again they admit and agree with that–which is why once they’ve got you, your not going no where, except back there, and which is why our whole budget is blown addicting and topping up the returns- who were never mad- but cant prove it- that,s all- cause no one can get away without going mad- pretty handy drugs hey-so sorry your brother was in the same hopeless helpless catch 22 position/ situation- that all kids who knock on bin doors drug effected end up being in- larundal just one venue- ten days full sleeps with all the appropriate healing processes/ practices- even before a diagnosis can be made- are the ethical standard treatment protocols for treating drug induced psychosis- not their drugs- “street drugs- party drugs”- not funeral drugs- some countries do fourty days- we don’t do any- 24 to 48 hrs tops– but one other person reminds me of what happened to your brother who would have been a very similar age at the time- if you look him up his name is Garth Daniels, poor kid smoked a but of dope- and whats happened to him because of how they’ve treated him is so disgusting both the wold health authority and amnesty have pretty much called our governments animals for- and asked them to desist- but like i say its a catch 22- they cant even help him if they want to – and they admit they cant get “anyone off the drugs” without them going mad and needing a top up of the mad– catcha 22-uh- 99 days tied to a bed four point- over 100 ects in over a year- against his and his families wishes, all for spinning out on a bit of dope- all temporary- and dope related- not a real mad- a drug mad- purely.

Hi My mother was in Larundel for 8 years from 1976.

Hi Patricia, I am sorry to hear this. I am doing some research about the daily life there and would love to speak with you. My email is [email protected] , thanks Tina

I am a photography student and i am wanting to capture this place. Wondering if anyone knows who owns the building and if i am able to contact them about photography the building. any details anyone is able to give would be greatly appreciated

It sounds as though La Trobe University are now responsible for a lot of the site. You could try contacting them, perhaps?

I can’t help, but I wish you luck. Try applying under the Freedom of Information Act, as Patricia suggests below.

This is quite disturbing for me I was admitted in the early 70s and never knew what happend to my records or those who were ther

you should be able to make an application under the Freedom of Information Act to apply for records which would have been archived.

Some of the buildings which were mont Park are now owned by la trobe uni, at this site there was mont Park Larundel and the alcoholics anonymous building. Further north up the road is University Hill which was the site of jane’s field for children

is this joint still there or have they knocked it down?

They knocked parts down, from what I’ve heard – but I believe the main buildings are still standing.

Is it confirmed that part of it is still there, I really want to go but it’s along travel just to arrive at some construction sight.

Apparently some buildings are still standing – but you might be better off talking to someone local, as I’m a long way away and working from second hand info.

Still their but it’s very hard to get in ! You have to brake in !

Hi , my mother was a patient t Larundal for over 20 years and was one of the last patients to leave, she then went to Mont Park and then onto a new mental health unit at StKilda. Most of the people at Larundal where had serious mental health issues and I get so annoyed at the amount of people who visits these places when it’s in ruins, why don’t you all take the time to visit someone alive with a mental illness and leave the dead alone, ?

Hello Sue. Thanks for this comment, and I do appreciate your concerns. However, you’re wrong to assume that I don’t also visit living people who suffer with mental health issues.

Personally, I think the local council should raise some kind of memorial on this site. If they can’t or won’t preserve the buildings, then they should at least contextualise their ruins. With this article, I’ve tried to add at least some historical context to a group of abandoned buildings that were popular with explorers since long before I ever heard of them. With respect, I feel that your criticism would be better directed not here, but rather towards the people who are actually responsible for the site.

Just last night 2 friends and I went to visit Larundel for the first time. We weren’t planning on breaking in the building as now it’s so closed off and made very difficult. But we walked all the way around the front building, hearing some odd sounds every now and then, nothing too creepy. But when we got to a point behind the front building we stopped in our tracks.. Hearing the music box coming from what looked like the middle of a field, but I think that’s where a building used to be. One of my friends held up their phone and it read exactly 11:59. It was very echoey and eerie. We really weren’t expecting to hear something like that from not even being in a building.. Very surreal

Well that’s… weird. Do you have any theories? Somewhere in these comments, one person suggested that the music was a prank being played from the nearby uni campus. But to hear it out there in the middle of a field at midnight is definitely pretty odd. Thank you for the update, I guess the mystery remains unsolved!

probably housed by homeless people who have iphones they play music on

Is this comment a current one as I thought it was redeveloped

Yes, in December 2016. The front building and a back building still remains standing. That’s why we thought it was odd to be coming in with the wind of the empty field, when other people have only heard it when they’ve been inside the building. Thinking of going back again but… It’s very eerie and my first paranormal experience.

My mates I went there all the time and I know of that music box seen it in the building and it would always go off at 11:59 love the feeling of a ghost present

When they were explaining earlier apparently a little girl passsd away playing her music box and apparently ever since people have heard strange music noises. Hopefully this helps you????

Lived around the corner. We would terrorise around here and the Mont Park Asylum on our BMXs in the 80’s, often with security not far behind. Man, we were shits…….Ahhh memories. Scary place back then, remember the faces behind the barred windows staring blankly back at you. As well as the haunting sounds that went hand in hand with these places, especially in the dead of night. Good blog.

That must have been a pretty powerful place to visit as a kid. I can only imagine. Gives its current state some context, too – more than just a ruin, it makes me wonder where all those patients ended up. Thanks a lot for this comment.

I find this stuff fascinating, my friend wants to do her hsc photography assignment there, but we are unsure if we will make it in time…… Before it gets pulled down.

Sounds like there’s less of it standing every day… better hurry!

I would love to see the way it looked before it was abandoned and wrecked

Yes, that would be fascinating. I’ve read about a collection of old archive photos (see more here ), though none of it seems to be online.

Thanks for sharing your visit with this place. Got no nerve to check this one but has the courage to check your post. 🙂

Thanks Lawanda – glad you enjoyed it.

I drove around the grounds of Larundel when it was open in the 1980s looked very scary never went inside. I worked near by at Janefield Centre Bundoora for the disabled for 10 years. I could tell lots of stories, I have started to write them and will continue, it was a very scary sad place.

Are you sharing these stories online somewhere? If so, feel free to leave a link here – I’d love to read them, and I’m sure others would too.

My grandma was a pstient there. I would love some info. 0402429435

Seems like a lot of people visiting this page had personal connections to the place – so I hope someone is able help you with this!

have you tried trying to look at medical records form the freedom of information act

My dad, a WWII victim spent years here off an on.I was about 7-9 years of age, when I went to visit him.I was shielded by the catering lady taking me to the kitchen for a biscuit and a milo.

Thank you for sharing this, Jill. Having only seen the place abandoned, I really appreciate hearing these little human stories from its time in operation. I think it’s good to try and understand places like this in terms of the people they once affected, rather than just as photogenic ruins.

Alone in a room on my 4th venture taking routine photos I walked into a coldspot , I was suddenly overcome by intense fear for my life , evil , dread and I went to hell in my own mind , I saw nothing but I felt the full force of something I had disturbed in that room.

Sounds like a powerful experience. Did you ever go back after that? If I had felt anything like that, I think I’d have run a mile…

I went here the end of last year if you want to explore id be fast they are pulling down buildings and putting up housing theres not much left of the place

Thanks, Stephanie. I heard it was shrinking fast…

My nanna was admitted to larundel supposedly for depression and treated like she was crazy when she wasn’t in the 50’s i think. She was given shock therapy. My dad will not talk about it. Noone in my family will talk about it. I feel sorry for my nanna who i never met as she died before i was born. She got put in larundel for supposedly having depression and being crazy and was put through shock therapy. I hate the way she was treated

Thank you for sharing this, Amanda – and I’m sorry to hear that your family had to go through that. It’s sad to think how barbaric some of our medical treatments were, not so long ago.

I wana check it out on one of my missions! !!

I hear it’s getting more difficult these days – what’s left of the site is shrinking, and apparently they’ve fixed the fence around it now. Might still be possible, but I wouldn’t leave it too long.

Brilliant post. Thanks for sharing.

You’re very welcome Jordan – thanks for checking it out.

I also saw a ghost laying in bed one night she walked down the Dom it freckled me out

Was that in the main building? Must have given you quite a scare!

RI was in larundel in the early 70’s I was 15 years of age. I wasn’t crazy either the place was a dump in the old buildings we didn’t have hot showers the boilers were that old they didn’t heat up properly . the front of the hospital had two wards a ward was the lockup and b ward was the observation ward on the 2ndllevel was the drug and alcohol wing openn end in 73was the first rehab too open in Australia.in b ward were domataries and at the back was a lockup cells larundel wasn’t bad as mt park that is were the very sick went I was also transfered too s 2:the wards were very basic weren’t scary but I did hear stories of how Mr park was bad and haunted. We weren’t locked in either.

It’s really interesting to hear this, Virginia – thank you for sharing your story. Given the advanced state of ruin it’s perhaps easy to forget how recently these things were happening. Reading your account makes it all feel much more real though – and I’m really grateful that you took the time to share it here.

this is so interesting virginia is there any chance of hearing more ? or that you are willing to share ?

Hi Viriginia, it’s interesting to get a picture of how things were there. I’d love to know more. If I can ask you a few questions please get in touch. My email is [email protected] , thanks Tina

also, the eyes are painted in the “dispensary” room, i was in there a few years ago and there were still stickers on the shelves saying names of drugs.

I was a non-voluntary inmate of Larundel in 1963. It was a pretty terrible place but I did get out. I was sane when I went in, slightly less so when I got out. I wonder if someone will write its history,

Thank you for sharing this – it’s really interesting to make contact with someone who has experience of the facility as it was during use. So often the history of these places is recorded through official records, rather than making use of first hand accounts. Glad to hear you got out, anyway.

hi im a uni student and i would love to know more about time in arundel as i have to write an essay on it. if you get this could you please contact me.

Hi Ebony, did you see Virginia’s account above?

hey darmon yes i did it would be perfect for what i need i just need to get in contact with her is she is willing.

LaRundel still stands, if anyone is interested, I believe they are in the process of reconstruction though, I was there last night & there are 4 buildings by the looks of it.. Just be sure not to break in to the community hub they have turned one of the building into… Also, I suggest going during the day as there are young troublemakers attempting to scare people (I assume they have a local “hangout” in the main building) and at night it is very difficult to tell the difference between whats a paranormal experience and what’s not. Very interesting blog to read before attending the old asylum too

Hi Paige, thanks for sharing this!

People are often asking me about the current status of Larundel, so it’s really helpful to have some up-to-date info here from someone on the ground. Glad you found the information here interesting, too! Thanks for commenting.

man, im 20 years old now but i used to sneak out of the house at night when i was 14 to come explore larundel. i have heard in the A-ward (single story building) banging sounds from down the hall way that could have only been caused by something inside, the A-ward is where they kept the most violent patients (ive been told this by a lawyer who used to represent clients from there) But the worse one i have encountered was entering one of the large buildings and heard the music box sound. i know for a fact it wasnt just my mind playing tricks on me because my mate who i was with at the time heard it aswell. But thats what i loved about this place, it would scare the crap out of ya, especially considering we were 14. would love to go back but i dont think itd be the same especially after all the construction on it. ah well anyway i thought id share my story !

Brilliant comment, thanks for sharing this Joe! I can only imagine how terrifying I would have found this place when I was 14… but I think if I lived nearby, I probably would have spent most nights there.

So you heard the music box, then? Interesting stuff. One of the theories online is that it’s students at the nearby university campus (not sure where that is, exactly) playing a prank. Does that sounds believable to you? I heard nothing during my visit, other than the usual creaking and groaning that you’d expect from a building of this age. It’s an incredible atmosphere in there though, isn’t it?

You are wrong,A ward was for new arrivals, north 6 and north 8 was for violent offenders.You would be put on medication,when ok,you would be transfered to an open ward.

Damnit. I wish I could visit, but they’ve been renovated! 🙁 Any places similar in Melbourne?

Yes, I heard something about a renovation project going down at Larundel. If you want to see something similar, you might want to go and check out Aradale . It’s just a short train ride from Melbourne, and they’ve got one of Australia’s largest and best preserved mental asylums there. It’s a museum now, but large parts are still completely abandoned, so I don’t think it’ll feel too commercialised.

I really wanted to go, but ran out of time in the end. It’s top of my list for next time I’m in Aus.

Hey darmen when you visit the aradale mental asylum are you allowed to do the same blog thing that you did on the laurundel mental asylum because this was very entertaining and interesting. Please do more excursions like this????

This comment has been removed by the author.

Hi Darmon, I am potentially making a documentary about Larundel and was wondering if I could possibly use your pictures as a part of it, as many of the great shots you have are not accessible anymore. Thanks, Tessa Rigby

Hi Tess. Thanks for getting in touch, and I’m sorry it’s taken me a while to get back to you.

Sounds like an interesting project – could you possibly send me an email about this? Just use the “contact” button at the top of this page.

why havent they demolished the place yet? people say .. if someone demolishes it they will get mental… and also heard that the government tried burning it down but it didnt burn down… do you know anything??

Hi Jessica,

I believe they’ve already made a start on the demolition – a lot of the buildings have already gone, and what I explored really were the last few pieces left standing.

I haven’t heard the stories you mention. There were some signs of serious fire damage on the ground floor of the main building, but the place has obviously survived it – so who knows?

Oh ok. Do you know if we can still enter the asylum and thanks

Hi Charbel,

As far as I know, it’s still pretty easy to get inside. They may have demolished more of the buildings since my visit last year, however.

I went in today! There is still access to most of the buildings, you just need to find a loose piece of metal 🙂

Sounds like you took the same route as me! Glad you managed to get in, hope you enjoyed the place.

i believe the administration building being burnt may have caused these rumours, the building in questing being quite away from the main buildings.

I live very close to the asylum, i have heard this music there before and got very intrigued. I studied the area for months, most people believe its the La trobe bells that people hear and say its ghosts afterwards, ive heard the bells there at midnight and its nothing like this but this music is in fact the tune of a local ice cream truck, this is what everyone has been hearing (including me) over the years for people to believe there is the ghost of a young girl haunting the place, and yes, this ice cream truck can even be heard very late at night.

An ice cream truck?? Ha! That’s amazing.

I guess it would make perfect sense, if there’s a truck doing the rounds in that area. Brilliant, thank you so much for posting this…

Virginia again reading or comments about award and music ghosts not at mt park larundel yes their was a music room at the back of award it but wasn’t adjoined we use to have relaxation in the room . award i did something wrong and got put in there yes it was a lockup assessment ward they would dose u up on medication it made u azombi a lot of the patients seemed scary at the side of the ward they would give patients ect

It wasn’t an asylum for girls. The eyes were painted by Rone, by the way.

I’ve checked up on this, and you’re right – the site served as a girls’ school during WWII, but later, when the original asylum plan was realised, it was mixed sexes. Correction noted, thanks!

Also, cheers for the tip re. Rone. I checked out some more artwork, and it’s awesome…

Another cracker, loving the bat shot, you don’t half get about.

I certainly do my best! Problem is, I spend so much time travelling that I hardly have time to write the reports anymore…

Those eyes are AWESOME! I must have been there just days before they were painted :_D

They’re pretty special, aren’t they? Sounds like you’ll have to make a return visit! They’re in one of the ground floor rooms near the boarded-up main entrance.

Love the graffiti eyes. And “dirty fruit from some dark, blasphemous tree” is possibly your best ever line.

Best ever line? That sounds like a challenge. Those eyes were amazing, though.

See all 138 comments on “Larundel Hospital: An Abandoned Mental Asylum in Melbourne”

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GRAMPIANS: J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour VICTORIA

• Duration: 2 Hours
• Location : Ararat, VIC

Meet at J Ward, Girdlestone Street, Ararat 3377  *2.5 hour drive from Melbourne

Visit Australia's home to the criminally insane, J Ward Lunatic Asylum. Explore the museum followed by a ghost tour of the home of notorious criminals including Chopper Read, Gary Webb and William Wallace. Explore the governor's bathroom, hangman's gallows, original kitchen, showerblock, grave sites, West Wing, J Ward Block, exercise yards and grounds in search of the souls that still linger. Learn of governors whose spirits are still lurking, prisoners buried in the grounds and the many souls trapped within these walls.

Approximate Duration: 2 hours 

Venue: Mainly Indoors 

Terrain: Moderate walking, some steps

Paranormal Activity: Very High

*Due to the nature of stories, children must be 12+ for the J Ward Tour*

No refunds. Change of date permitted with a minimum of 48 hours notice BEFORE your scheduled experience for a fee of $10 per order. Fee must be paid at time of rescheduling. Gift card will be issued to used within 12 month period. Non-attendance and late cancellation voids your order. 

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Mental asylum tour - Sunbury Historical Tours

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I have only been visiting my son's home in Sunbury as yet. My holidays over the last 2 years have... read more

We were a bit hesitant when we arrived, but we were pleasantly surprised! Julie was a great tour... read more

Mental asylum tour

What a great tour through the Sunbury mental asylum Too the family there Heaps of creepy things Excellent history and stories Well worth seeing Posted a few pictures but don't want to ruin the surprise with anymore

This was a tour of the former Lunatic Asylum in Sunbury for the National Trust. Access t the site is limited to this tour. And a great tour, with a great deal of detail and background. Highly recommended.

Toured the grounds and buildings of the old Mental Asylum Evening guided tour Great tour very interesting site lots of history dating back to the 1860s Magnificent buildings let down only by the lack of maintenance in garden and grounds Tour itself fascinating very good well run and excellent knowledge of the place

Very informative tour with lots of inside and outside access. Fascinating history and amazing buildings. Obviously very easy to be committed 100 years ago for behaviours we now understand and can do easily treat. Well worth it.

Fantastic excursion and tour of the Sunbury Asylum. Beautiful architecture. The site has been used as an industrial school for neglected children, an asylum and a Uni. If you love architecture or history or paranormal you would love this tour. If you are going on the night tour I would suggest taking a walk around the grounds during daylight to check out the buildings. Julie our guide has in depth knowledge about the site, the former patients and many fascinating stories. I highly recommend this tour.

15 Most Haunted Places in Melbourne: Discover the City’s Ghostly Past

Interested in learning about some of the most haunted places in Melbourne? Here are 15 spots with spooky pasts…

You may know Melbourne for its vibrant culture, beautiful architecture and excellent dining scene.

But what you may not know is that the city is also haunted.

Like many cities around the world, Melbourne has its fair share of ghostly tales and haunted places. From abandoned mental asylums to historic haunted hotels to notorious prisons, the city is filled with spooky sites that are sure to give you a chill.

As someone who loves exploring modern-day Melbourne, I’m also fascinated with learning about the city’s history, including its haunted past. And if you’re a fan of the supernatural, you’ll find many haunted places to explore and spine-tingling tales to hear.

Knowing these tales will give you a different perspective on the city – I certainly look at places differently now!

This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

What's in this article (Click to view)

1. Old Melbourne Gaol  

The Old Melbourne Gaol is one of the most famous haunted places in Melbourne. Opened in the mid-1800s, it was used as a prison until 1929. More than 130 people were hanged at the gaol, including the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly.

Given this dark history, it’s not surprising that it’s considered one of the city’s most haunted spots.

Today, the gaol operates as one of Melbourne’s best museums , and you can take a guided tour of the cells and learn about its history. Many people report feeling a sense of unease or seeing ghostly apparitions during their visit, and it’s become a popular spot for ghost hunters.

2. The Princess Theatre

One of the oldest and most iconic theatres in Melbourne, the Princess Theatre was established in the mid-1800s and has a long history of performances. To this day it’s hosted some of the city’s biggest productions, including the recently departed Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

But it’s also known for its ghostly inhabitants, including Frederick Federici, an actor who died on stage in 1888. As a trapdoor was closing during a performance of Faust , Federici suffered a heart attack. Some say his soul never left the theatre and continues to haunt it to this day.

Visitors have reported seeing him on stage or in the dressing rooms, and some performers have even claimed to feel a friendly presence guiding them during their performances.

For decades, the theatre even kept a seat free for our city’s most famous ghost, just in case he wanted to join the audience.

3. Queen Victoria Market

Established in the late 19th century, the Queen Victoria Market is not just a bustling hub for fresh produce, but also a place echoing with whispers of the past.

The site holds historical significance as it was once the first official cemetery of Melbourne (under what’s now the car park), serving as the final resting place for many early settlers and Indigenous people.

Although the last burial was in 1917, records suggest that around 9,000 bodies are still buried here. This eerie fact alone is enough to warrant its place on our list.

Vendors and shoppers have reported experiencing unexplained phenomena, from strange noises to the feeling of being watched. Some have even shared stories of sightings, claimed to be the spirits of those buried beneath the market. The apparitions are often described as settlers from centuries ago, seemingly lost and wandering among the stalls.

4. Young & Jackson Hotel

The Young & Jackson Hotel sits on one of the busiest corners in Melbourne – but few of the people passing by know the pub’s haunted past.

While the pub is most famous for its nude painting “Chloe”, there’s another woman you may not have heard of.

As the stories go, in the closing years of the 19th century, the area around the pub was the scene of several horrifying murders of women. Since then, numerous men have reported encountering a striking woman near the pub’s entrance. But look a little closer, and you’ll see that her neck has been slit.

Many are convinced that she is a ghostly manifestation of one of the unfortunate victims, possibly a prostitute.  

5. Hotel Windsor

One of Melbourne’s most luxurious and iconic hotels , The Hotel Windsor harbours a few spooky secrets.

Built in 1883, the hotel has hosted many famous guests, including American writer Mark Twain and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. Today, it’s famous for its opulent high tea.

However, it’s also known for its ghostly inhabitants and is considered one of the most haunted hotels in Melbourne.

According to some stories, the spirit of a young teenage boy roams the hotel, possibly guarding the room of Dame Nellie Melba, who was a regular patron of Hotel Windsor.

But perhaps the most eerie of all is the sound of opera singing, heard by many guests and staff. Some believe it to be Nellie Melba’s ghost, reliving her – ahem – passionate moments within the walls of Hotel Windsor.

Ready to spook yourself? Book a stay at The Hotel Windsor .  

6. Hosier Lane

Stepping into Hosier Lane, you’re initially drawn to the riot of street art splashed across the walls and pavements. Checking out street art is, of course, one of the best things to do in Melbourne during the day.

But as night descends, the stories about the people who haunt this lane reveal the laneway’s more sinister side.

Hosier Lane earns its spot on this list of haunted places in Melbourne because of the spine-chilling stories attached to it – stories of an ominous presence that looms in the shadows, a spirit believed to be none other than Frederick Bailey Deeming.

Deeming, a notorious character in Melbourne’s history, is often whispered in the same breath as the infamous ‘Jack the Ripper’. This English-born criminal left a trail of ghastly crimes and murders strewn across his path. He was executed for his horrific crimes.

Visitors often recount feeling an eerie sensation of hands clasping around their necks in this alleyway, a grim reminder of Deeming’s violent past.

It’s one of the most popular places to visit on walking tours of Melbourne .

7. Pink Alley

Pink Alley, another top spot in Melbourne for street art, is also home to a chilling story.

In 1921, 12-year-old Alma Tirtschke was murdered in this alleyway. Her murderer was never found.

People walking through Pink Alley recount tales of eerie sensations and unexplained phenomena in the area. Some, especially women, claim to feel a gentle tug on their clothes, while others report hearing faint whispers.

I first learned about Alma when I visited this alleyway on this Old Melbourne Ghost Tour , and it was one of the most tragic tales told during the Melbourne ghost tour.

8. Black Rock House

Black Rock House, a stately mansion in Melbourne’s beachside suburb of Black Rock, is considered one of the most haunted houses in Melbourne.

It was built in 1856 by Charles Ebden, a prominent figure who served as the Victorian auditor-general. Known for its castle-like design and picturesque gardens, the mansion is a notable landmark, attracting both history enthusiasts and paranormal investigators alike.

Many visitors and staff claim to have seen apparitions, predominantly of a woman believed to be the housemaid from the Ebden era, wandering the halls and rooms.

There are also tales of erratic temperature changes, eerie echoes and mysterious footsteps when no one else is present.

Whether fact or fiction, these stories have earned Black Rock House a firm spot on our list of Melbourne’s most haunted places. You can check it out for yourself during the open house on the first Sunday of each month.

9. The Mitre Tavern

One of the oldest pubs in Melbourne, the Mitre Tavern has a lot of character – and perhaps the occasional phantom visitor.

Built in 1868, the tavern has served as a gathering place for centuries. But beyond the clink of pint glasses, a ghostly inhabitant is said to make its presence known.

The tavern’s haunting reputation centres around the legend of an unidentified woman, whose spirit is rumoured to roam the upper floors of the pub.

Patrons and staff have reported unexplained phenomena – from the sound of phantom footsteps echoing in empty rooms to the eerie sensation of being watched when no one else is around.

Some even claim to have glimpsed a mysterious woman, only for her to vanish into thin air.

Whether these stories are born from the dark corners of the imagination or hold a grain of truth, they undoubtedly add an intriguing layer to the Mitre Tavern.

10. Como House

Built in 1847, Como House is located in the leafy suburbs of South Yarra. This grand Italianate-style mansion holds centuries of history within its walls, along with a few ghostly tales.

Visitors to the historic mansion frequently report unexplained occurrences, from peculiar sounds to fleeting apparitions in period clothing.

The house’s chilling reputation escalates further during the evening hours when this Melbourne haunted house takes on a decidedly eerie atmosphere.

For those daring enough to explore its ghostly past, Como House regularly organises guided tours and events where you can learn the stories beneath its polished exterior.

11. Melbourne General Cemetery

It’s a cemetery, so it’s not surprising that a few souls wander the grounds.

Established in 1852, Melbourne General Cemetery is the eternal resting place for many of the city’s most notable figures. This is where Federici – the ghost from the Princess Theatre – is buried.

Yet its sprawling grounds, dotted with ageing tombstones and towering monuments, might be hosting more than just memories of the past.

Visitors to the cemetery often recount unsettling experiences. Some report unexplainable chills and others speak of whispering voices carried on the breeze that are too coherent to dismiss as the wind.

But the most spine-tingling tales come from those who claim to have seen apparitions. The most well-known of these sightings is said to be the ghost of a woman, clad in white, wandering aimlessly among the tombstones.

The cemetery used to run night-time tours – I wish they’d bring them back because I think that would be a way to creep yourself out!

12. Kew Asylum

Opened in 1871, the Kew Asylum was supposed to provide a haven for the mentally ill. However, it soon became infamous for overcrowded conditions and questionable treatment practices, creating a melancholic backdrop that would fuel countless ghost stories to this day.

Despite its sombre past, the Kew Asylum has been converted into a stylish housing development.

But many of its new residents report hearing eerie sounds that defy explanation, such as disembodied whispers and phantom footsteps echoing through the halls.

The creepiest of accounts include residents waking up to inexplicable cold spots in their homes or even claiming to see ghostly apparitions in the dead of the night.

Not somewhere I’d be keen to live.

13. Larundel Mental Asylum

Larundel Mental Asylum was opened in 1953 and was used as a psychiatric treatment facility until it closed in 1999.

The asylum is known for its dark history and the treatment of some of Australia’s most dangerous criminals, including violent serial killer Peter Dupas.

Following its closure, many who dared to visit the deteriorating Larundel buildings recount tales of chilling encounters and inexplicable phenomena – ghostly sightings, eerie noises and a pervading sense of unease. These first-person accounts fueled the asylum’s reputation as a hotspot for paranormal activity.

The buildings fell into disrepair after it was closed and have since been demolished.

14. Point Cook Homestead

Situated on the edge of Port Phillip Bay, about an hour from the Melbourne CBD, the serene Point Cook Homestead gives little hint at first glance of its ghostly reputation.

Established in the 1880s by the Chirnside family, the homestead served as a pastoral station, but its tranquillity belies a history steeped in spine-chilling tales.

Visitors to Point Cook Homestead recount mysterious whispers in the dead of night, the soft rustle of unseen presences in the surrounding woods and the unnerving sensation of being watched.

While you can visit the homestead during the day to see the historic buildings, it’s at night that this haunted house in Melbourne turns into a hotspot for those intrigued by the paranormal. Book a Point Cook Homestead Ghost Tour here .

15. Werribee Mansion

The impressive mansion and lush gardens of Werribee Park are a spectacular sight to behold during the day, but as the sun dips below the horizon, some spooky stuff begins to unfold.

The historic building has been the setting for numerous reports of unexplained occurrences, making it a must-visit on our list of Melbourne’s most haunted places.

The mansion, once inhabited by the prosperous Chirnside family in the 19th century, is rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of Thomas Chirnside, who took his own life on the estate. He’s often sighted wandering the mansion’s grand halls, making this one of the most haunted houses in Melbourne.

There are regular paranormal investigations held here at Werribee Park if you’d like to do a little ghost-hunting yourself.

Map of Melbourne haunted places

Melbourne ghost tours

If this list of haunted places in Melbourne has intrigued you, then why not join a ghost tour in Melbourne? Whether you’re a sceptic or a true believer, they’re a fun and spooky way to explore the city’s haunted past.

Here are some of my ghostly night tour suggestions for something fun to do in Melbourne at night :

• Hidden Bars & Creepy Tales Tour of Melbourne CBD : Learn about Melbourne’s haunted past as you sip on a few drinks at some of Melbourne’s most historic pubs – some of which are rumoured to be haunted.
• Old Melbourne Ghost Tour : I’ve taken this tour through the dark alleys and hidden corners of Melbourne’s oldest and most haunted areas. You’ll hear stories of murder, mystery and mayhem as you explore the city’s ghostly past.
• Pentridge Prison Ghost Tour : Pentridge Prison is another infamous Melbourne landmark. You’ll explore the cells and hear stories of the prisoners who once called them home and find out more about this haunted Melbourne prison.

These tours can be scary things to do in Melbourne. I’ve got a list of even more Melbourne ghost tours .

Wrap up: Most haunted places in Melbourne

So, there you have it. Melbourne isn’t just a city with an awesome dining scene and plenty of things to do. It’s got a fascinatingly eerie past, and this history adds a unique layer to the city. There are plenty of haunted places in Melbourne to learn more about the people who walked these streets many centuries ago.

Just remember, when visiting these haunted locations, respect the premises and adhere to any guidelines provided.

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a history buff, a paranormal investigator or simply intrigued, exploring these sites offers a unique insight into Melbourne’s ghostly side.

Haunted places in Melbourne: FAQ

Are all these haunted places in melbourne open to the public.

While most of these haunted locations offer public access and even guided tours, others may be privately owned or inaccessible. Always make sure to respect private property and only visit sites with permission.

What kind of paranormal activity has been reported in Melbourne’s haunted places?

Many people have reported seeing apparitions, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling sudden changes in temperature. Some of the most commonly reported paranormal activity includes doors opening and closing on their own, objects moving by themselves and strange smells.

Do I need to book a tour to visit these haunted places, or can I explore on my own?

While you can explore some of these places on your own, booking a ghost tour offers a unique experience. Expert guides will share chilling stories and historical facts that add depth to your visit. Plus, some locations are only accessible through organised tours.

Are these haunted places safe to visit at night? 

While many of these locations offer night-time tours for a spooky experience, it’s essential to exercise caution. Always visit with a group, stay in designated areas and respect any safety guidelines provided by the venue or tour guides.

Found this article useful? Consider buying me a coffee as a way to say thanks!

Best Melbourne resources

• Check out my Melbourne travel guide for everything you need to know about planning a trip to Melbourne
• Look for flights to Melbourne on Skyscanner .
• Book accommodation on Booking.com or Expedia for your Melbourne trip. The Ovolo Laneways Hotel is a good choice in the CBD.
• You won’t really need a car in Melbourne, but if you do want to get out of the city, then rent a car through DiscoverCars .
• Pick up a copy of the Lonely Planet Pocket Melbourne to help plan your trip.

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If you want to spook yourself, save this guide to the most haunted places in Melbourne to Pinterest!

About THE AUTHOR

I’m Rebecca, a Melbourne local excited to show you the best of Melbourne. I've visited more than 40 countries and have a Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management. After living abroad for 8 years, I’m back home in Melbourne, rediscovering this city that I love and have missed. My aim is to help you find the best things to do in Melbourne.

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13,000 deaths in 130 years: Ararat Lunatic Asylum is the most haunted place in Australia.

Now Australia’s largest abandoned mental institution, when Ararat Lunatic Asylum, or Aradale Mental Hospital as it later became known, was closed in 1997, it had seen 13,000 deaths in its 130 year history.

Opened in 1867, that averaged out to be 100 deaths a year. Patients, prisoners and staff included.

Located about 205 kilometres away from Melbourne , once upon a time Ararat was used to relieve the prison system of those thought to be the most criminally insane and irreparably evil, however, it also became a place for individuals suffering from mental illness, post-natal depression and conditions such as epilepsy, autism or Down Syndrome.

At any one time the old Victorian structure was home to roughly 1000 patients and 500 staff.

Today the building is used for ghost tours , where reports of visitors unexpectedly fainting, feelings of nausea and pains while walking through certain rooms, wards with ominous smells and “methodical banging sounds” like patients hitting their head against walls, are commonly noted.

Team Mamamia investigated Manly’s Quarantine Station – one of the most haunted spots in New South Wales. Here’s what happened… 

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Claire "Cry Face" Danes

However, out of the asylum’s 60 buildings, the ‘J Ward’ was known for housing Ararat’s most infamous patients, with one of its most prominent being Bill Wallace.

While never tried or convicted, Wallace was a suspected murderer who allegedly shot a friend over an argument about a cigarette and was then declared “insane” by two separate doctors in 1925.

He was sent to Aradale for 64 years to be “held at the Governor’s pleasure,” and died there aged 107 in 1989.

Other supernatural sensations have arisen from tours as well.

According to Real Paranormal Experiences visitors have reported feelings of being “shoved and bitten,” as well as sounds of shrieking voices, ticking clocks and electric interference with cameras and other electrical equipment.

Another popular story is that of disturbed patient Gary Webb who was said to have “mutilated his body over 70 times” and is known for shouting at people to “get out” of his room.

There’s another particularly infamous room that leaves visitors with feelings of “nausea, terror and trance like states,” which are said to last until they’ve left the building.

The ward is also said to be haunted by three prisoners that were hung and buried in the exercise area of the ward back in 1859 when the J Ward was originally used as the county jail. Because they were convicted for murder, they weren’t given a Christian burial and now the only evidence of their former existence are three small marks scratched into the prison wall.

Prisoners and ex-patients aside, there have also been reports of asylum staff members who still frequent the building.

The Superintendent’s office is also known for being haunted with visitors experiencing a bitter taste while walking by his office. The explanation being that a former Superintendent died by suicide after swallowing Prussic Acid or Hydrogen Cyanide.

While we don’t know for sure who this is, according to reports this could have been Dr. William L. Mullen who died in 1912.

According to several reviews on the Aradale Ghost Tours Facebook page , many accounts also speak about the presence of Nurse Kerry, who frequents the Women's Ward and watches over the tour guides.

Many people claim that they felt "nausea and dizziness" when visiting the ward.

"I also felt overwhelmed with nausea and dizziness in one of the tiny cells in the women’s ward and felt it again in the men’s surgery room," wrote one user.

"My son saw a figure in the women's area," added another.

"I took many photos, a few potentially showing some shadows/faces," reported one visitor with another saying that her "son fainted in one of the rooms."

"Didn't see a ghost but did get a tingling sensation on one half of my head in one of the rooms, which I was later told was the shock therapy ward..." wrote another.

A post shared by Aradale Ghost Tours (@aradaleghosttours) on Feb 22, 2018 at 12:15am PST

Sitting on top of what was coined as Madman's Hill, the grounds of Ararat were said to be beautiful.

White, stately and tree-lined, the Victorian, 'Italiante' architecture is also a reminder of a time when archaic attitudes to mental health ruled, and treatments like lobotomies, straitjackets and the then underdeveloped, and at times dangerous, use of electro-convulsive shock therapy were the norm.

Whether or not you believe in the paranormal, one thing is certain - that even without its suspected ghosts and supernatural occurrences, the history of Ararat Mental Asylum is most definitely haunted.

Have you ever done a ghost tour at Ararat Mental Asylum? Tell us your best ghost stories.

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Top Comments

I understand the point you’re trying to make about the types of treatments that happened here and the time they came from, but calling electroshock therapy (ECT) an archaic practise is simply not true and helps to perpetuate the stigma attached to it. It is still an effective psychiatric treatment used today, although with many much needed improvements, such as anaesthesia and whole body muscle relaxants. ECT’s history is far from pleasant, but today’s version offers hope to many people who otherwise have none.

Actually that's not what they said - they said there were archaic attitudes to mental health & that ECT at the time was underdeveloped & often dangerous... Which is all true!

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Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger’s alleged horror attack is revealed in CCTV footage

An embattled former Home and Away star is at large after absconding the evening before he was due in court on serious assault charges.

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Footage has been released alleging to show the moment former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger violently assaulted a woman by dragging her to the ground and stomping on her head.

A Melbourne courtroom was plunged into disarray during the actor’s bail hearing on Tuesday after he failed to appear.

All parties expressed frustration as the court heard Pledger left Royal Melbourne Hospital overnight while waiting for a court-ordered medical assessment.

Pledger was supposed to front Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link from court-ordered mental health care to finalise a bail application.

He has been on remand since March 27 after his bail was refused. His charges include causing injury and unlawful assault.

However in a stunning revelation on Tuesday morning, Pledger’s lawyer, Jasper MacCuspie, revealed his client had absconded from the hospital overnight.

Pledger is accused of a violent alleged assault of a woman on March 25.

Police attended a suburban Melbourne home at 1:35am that morning after a triple-0 call cut out.

Police alleged during Monday’s hearing that the words “he’s coming” were heard before the line disconnected.

The woman was taken to the hospital with bruising, small lacerations to her cheek, and bruising to her neck, which police alleged indicated strangling.

Footage of the incident currently before the court was played to Magistrate Justin Foster, who remarked: “It’s reasonably clear that he stomped on (the woman’s) head.”

Police detailed what was caught in the 25-second clip.

The recording allegedly captures the accused walking up behind the woman, grabbing her, and dragging her to the ground before proceeding to stomp on her head.

It’s also alleged that the soles of a pair of Vans sneakers belonging to Pledger bear a significant likeness to a bruising pattern on each side of the alleged victim’s face and ears.

Pledger was arrested at 10.38am on March 25 in Northcote and has been in custody since.

During the lengthy bail application on Monday, the court deliberated over ongoing risk to the public and the alleged victim balanced with a need for Pledger to receive urgent treatment for drug abuse and his declining mental health.

Court documents alleged the accused is at an “extreme risk of further assaulting” the alleged victim.

Mr MacCuspie argued his client’s mental health would deteriorate if he were to remain in custody.

Magistrate Foster responded: “He (allegedly) stomped on (the victim’s) head. The risk of something else happening and having dire consequences is striking.”

Mr MacCuspie told the court he was “immensely frustrated” by the fact Pledger allegedly spent six hours in the hospital waiting to be assessed – which did not end up happening, it was claimed.

Also seemingly frustrated with the system was Magistrate Justin Foster who lamented “bending over backwards” on Monday to give the actor an urgent order for involuntary inpatient mental health care.

“I’ll never make an order like that again … (I) bent over backwards to try and offer someone mental health treatment as they require,” he told the court on Tuesday.

As for Pledger’s whereabouts, Mr MacCuspie said there is “no way to contact him”.

Pledger was still considered on remand and it remains unclear how he was able to leave the state’s care.

Royal Melbourne Hospital has been presented with the claims from court regarding Pledger’s lengthy wait time but has not responded.

Pledger’s bail was revoked for his case to be heard again on May 10 and an application for an arrest warrant was made to court.

The bail application was initially pushed back from Monday to Tuesday, after Pledger was sent to the hospital under police escort to seek an involuntary patient assessment.

If Pledger were admitted into care at the hospital, he was expected to re-attend court on Tuesday via video link. If he was not admitted into care, he was requested to attend in person.

On Monday, police protested Pledger’s counsel’s arguments for the actor to be moved to a treatment facility citing concerns about security and the risk of absconding.

Detective Senior Constable Rhys Phillips said on Monday: “When he is unwell, he is a danger.”

Pledger boasts an extensive acting resume with roles in some of Australia’s most-watched programs since appearing in The Secret Life of Us in 2001 at age eight.

Pledger played significant roles in popular Australian TV shows such as the mid-2000s dystopian teen drama Silversun , Neighbours and a lengthy stint on Home and Away .

He more recently made a short-lived appearance in the third season of SAS Australia in 2022 but abruptly quit the show after the cast and crew expressed concerns over his “erratic behaviour”.

Pledger featured in a Men’s Health interview in 2019 towards the end of his time at Home and Away . In it, he briefly addressed the relationship between exercise and his mental health and detailed how he had moved away from toxic influences in his life.

“What I look at, the pages I follow on Instagram, the things I listen to, the words I speak and the people I choose to spend my time with,” Pledger said.

“My aim is to have these areas of my life aligned with who I am and what I like, as they’re fundamentally influential to my overall mental health.”

After leaving the iconic Australian soapie , Pledger revealed on Instagram that he planned to start DJing and he had been making electronic music.

- With Rohan Smith

MasterChef judge Andy Allen says it was a tough decision to return to the show nearly a year after his friend and fellow judge Jock Zonfrillo died.

The Arj Barker controversy has taken another weird turn, as he clashed with radio host Erin Molan live on-air this morning.

The Sunrise team are joining in the celebrations after one of their reporters shared some exciting news with viewers.

After Hannah Gadsby's Gender Agenda, we take a look at some of Australia's up-and-coming genderqueer comedians

One of my favourite things about Hannah Gadsby's Netflix showcase Gender Agenda was the very specific and niche ways the different comics identify themselves.

Canada's DeAnne Smith wants their gender to be, "almost the exact same feeling you get when you look at the word 'zucchini' spelt out". And the UK's Chloe Petts knows that, on a wedding dance floor, they 100 per cent identify "as a man with a tie on his head".

As a queer, disabled, first-generation Colombian Chilean comedian, actor and drag king, I rushed to watch Gender Agenda as soon as I could.

But, for some reason, this Netflix special barely made a splash in Australia. When talking to queer friends, I was surprised they hadn't heard of it. In a very non-scientific way, it confirmed a strong hunch that I've had for some time.

First, that Australia's comedy scene is at least a decade behind — not in terms of talent, but in terms of representation, exposure and diversity.

It's no secret that we collectively suffer from tall poppy syndrome. This affects no one more than those who don't fit the "norms" of palatable, marketable, commercial viability, i.e. queer, POC and trans artists. Our successes are rationed and harder to secure, and we're often the most susceptible to scrutiny and surveillance, missing out on opportunities altogether.

Second, I think as a community, we've built up a resistance to comedy — more specifically stand-up, and understandably so. It's easy to grow disconnected from an art form that has not only consistently made us the butt of the joke, but has found immeasurable success in doing so.

Still, despite all of this, many of us continue to grind. This is something that Gadsby really thoughtfully and intentionally showcases; for so many QTPOC to be platformed like that in Australia, we'd have to be athletes rather than artists.

Gadsby also made a point of spotlighting a newer performer, Krishna Istha, saying, "when you're genderqueer in the comedy world, stage time is not always safe time". It's a feeling us POC are all too familiar with, and one that has sadly deterred some comics all together.

But if your interest is piqued, here are some trans and gender-diverse comedians in Australia you could get around:

Neptune Henriksen (They/It)

I've heard Neptune Henriksen's name attached to countless projects, and they also have some extensively impressive accolades — seriously, I suggest going to their website because it's too many to list here.

Henriksen is a comedian and theatre maker who has directed and written for other comedians' solo shows. But, finally, just like a reunion tour, they're back with their first comedy hour since 2016.

"Sex sells, but gender sells out." That one got me good.

Their new show explores "gender, capitalism and desirability, through a queer lens". In short, it's a show "for the outsiders, the weirdos and the curious".

Neptune Henriksen: Being a Woman for Money is at Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 21.

Maddy Weeks (They/Them)

Maddy Weeks is a stand-out stand-up based in Melbourne, who started at the tender age of 17. If you know anything about how hard stand-up is, let alone as a queer performer, let alone as a non-binary performer, let alone as an ADHD performer, you know that some people really just are born with it! 

I would say Weeks's stage presence is infectious, but it's more like what you take when you get an infection: It makes you feel instantly better. Their nomination for MICF's best newcomer award is well deserved.

They're bucketloads of joy and energy on stage, and every minute is equivalent to one therapy session. So, essentially, if you go to their show you can go without a mental health care plan this year. (I'm being silly — look after your mental health! Plus that's not correct maths.)

Maddy Weeks: Never Gonna Die is at Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 21. 

Jay Wymarra (He/They)

Jay Wymarra is a lauded comedian, drag queen, self-proclaimed Black nerd (huge Lord of the Rings fan) and a "true First Nations renaissance man". He's been on countless all-star and festival line-ups, with good reason. Wymarra has had years of practice, starting their comedy journey in their mid-teens through Class Clowns.

Wymarra is a very specific brand of unreined, otherworldly, fantastical joy and his sets are filled with stirring insight, (often about LOTR). If I've lost you, keep reading, there's a lot more to Wymarra. Their new show is quite a different endeavour: a "quasi-musical, comedic cabaret" and a "queer-feral rock opera". WE NEED MORE ROCK OPERAS!

Jay Wymarra: AmaJayus is at Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 21, then will tour to Sydney Comedy Festival. 

Frankie Fearce (She/They)

Frankie Fearce is a tradie originally from Newcastle, who is now a Sydney socialite. Her candid anecdotes and observations online have quickly grown her a cult following — one closely rivalled by that of her famous lizard, Solomon.

Donning a majestic moustache, Fearce talks about dismantling gender norms and expectations, the prejudice they experience from bigots on a daily basis and how to respond to said haters, often in the most whimsical and unexpected ways. Go for the costumes, stay for the jokes.

Are You a Boy or a Girl? is at Sydney Comedy Festival from May 15-19.

Bea Barbeau-Scurla  (She/Her/They)

Bea Barbeau-Scurla, once a regular on the Sydney comedy circuit, is now a regular in the Melbourne scene, having started multiple successful rooms across both cities. Barbeau-Scurla is not only a comedian, but an accomplished writer, film producer and performer.

Sharing her Mauritian culture and her ever-crumbling mental health in a vulnerable and brutally honest way, Barbeau-Scurla is refreshingly authentic.

She's not afraid to call herself insane — in fact, her comedy show at MICF is called Make Women Insane Again, and she revels in sharing the "crazy little thoughts" inside her brain that would have had her burned at the stake not that long ago.

Bea Barbeau-Scurla & Edan Mcgovern: Make Women Insane Again is at Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 20.

Natali Caro (they/she) is a comedian, actor and drag king based in Sydney. In case you're wondering, they describe their gender identity as "little boys dancing". Specifically, those viral videos of little boys dancing , and the feeling you get watching their ripening confidence (which is the safe amount of male confidence).

Natali Caro Is Seeking Representation is at Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 21. 

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