The Monte Cristo Homestead in the Riverina region of NSW is a stunning example of Victorian architecture. Built in 1884 by Christopher William Crawley, the two-storey mansion has soaring ceilings and intricately designed cast-iron balconies, epitomising the opulence and wealth of the 1800s. Perched high on a hill overlooking the town of Junee, it’s also the perfect place to visit this spooky season. Famous for being one of the most haunted houses in all of Australia, a stay here comes with a dose of haunted history, and like most things that have been around for a while, there is an inexplicable eeriness to it. Visitors have also reported strange noises, flickering lights, and paranormal encounters further adding to its reputation. Here’s a brief look into the history of Monte Cristo Homestead and why it’s the perfect weekend getaway this Halloween.
Monte Cristo Homestead, Junee
The grand Victorian mansion served as the family home for Christopher and his wife, Elizabeth, where they raised their children. As prosperous as the house looked from the outside, it bore witness to many tragedies and deaths including a young maid who is said to have fallen to her death from the balcony, and the Crawleys themselves.
The last of the Crawley family left Monte Cristo in 1948, leaving the mansion unoccupied until Olive and Reginald Ryan purchased it in 1963. The Ryans devoted themselves to restoring the house to its original splendour eventually opening it to visitors in the 1990s.
Why Monte Cristo is the perfect Halloween staycation
Present-day Monte Cristo offers visitors more than they bargain for and you never know who you might encounter in the nooks of this historic homestead rumoured to be haunted by at least 10 ghosts. The most commonly spotted ghost at Monte Cristo Homestead is Elizabeth Crawley herself, often known as the Lady in Grey whose presence is said to be felt throughout the house. There have been reports of children’s ghosts wandering the mansion’s halls, along with accounts of flickering lights. Visitors have also experienced sudden drops in temperature throughout the house. The house also has a Doll Museum, an antique store, and a ‘Fairies Reborn Magic Nursery‘ for an extra dose of spookiness.
This surge of paranormal activity naturally led to more visitors, enticing ghostbusters and history buffs to explore its haunted halls. It is open for self-guided tours on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. If you want to stay the night to get a taste of the action, limited accommodation is available along with a ghost tour, head here for more information. If rooms are not available, you can also opt to stay at the Junee Hotel which is conveniently located around the corner. Read more about the historic homestead here.
How to get there
The Monte Cristo Homestead is a 4.5-hour drive from Sydney and 2.5 hours from Canberra. You can also catch the train from Central to Junee Station, and the journey takes around six hours. Junee offers plenty of cosy accommodation options if you want to stay longer, find them here.