Sydney is a city that normally evokes images of sandy beaches, natural landscapes and world-famous icons. But it also has a rich and colourful history filled with stories of haunted places, abandoned towns and plenty of paranormal spots in and around town. If you’re looking to enjoy the scariest time of the year in style, there are a number of longstanding Sydney hotels that have been home to plenty of mysterious happenings over the years. Spend a night in these infamous haunted hotels in Sydney this spooky season if you dare.
1. The Russell Hotel
The Russell Hotel in The Rocks is popularly known as Sydney’s most haunted hotel. It’s supposedly haunted by the ghost of a sailor who was killed in room number 8 by a prostitute. He now reveals himself in ghostly form to single women in the room. The hotel is also built on top of a hospital from 1887 which adds to its creepiness. Staff and guests have reported feeling an eerie presence and hearing unexplained sounds in the hotel. Please note, The Russell Hotel is currently closed for renovations.
2. Q Station
Q Station is located on the site of Sydney’s former Quarantine Station at North Head and it’s brimming with stories of tragedy and hauntings. People infected with contagious diseases were quarantined here from the 1830s until 1984. The spot is plagued with stories of hauntings and spirits stuck in time and it’s reputed as one of Australia’s most haunted hotels. Read all about it’s history and book a spot for yourself here.
3. Harbour Rocks Hotel
The Harbour Rocks Hotel is a personal favourite spot for a staycation in the city. Surrounded by sweeping views of the harbour and some major Sydney icons, this is a lovely and intimate hotel in the heart of the city. But given that it was built in 1887, it comes with its fair share of myths and legends. Harrington Street near the hotel is said to be haunted by a man called Eric who haunts the streets in search of his lost love Scarlett. The hotel has even named its bar Eric’s and the restaurant is named Scarlett. Book a stay here.
4. Carlisle Castle Hotel
The Carlisle Castle Hotel in Newtown is famously home to a ghost who enjoys dropping things with wine bottles and glasses reportedly falling off the shelves. It opened in 1876 and bartenders at this popular spot have reported seeing ghostly figures and wine glasses falling off the racks. In fact, back in 2014 footage recovered at the hotel showed a mysterious figure and lights randomly flickering on and off. Read all about Carlisle’s ghost here.
5. The Mill Bondi
The Mill Hotel in Bondi was a former boarding house now transformed into a hotel and pub which is allegedly haunted by William Phillips, the former hotelkeeper. Ghost watchers claim there have been other sightings at the venue of a small ghostly figure of a boy. P.S. The hotel has now reopened as The Mill after extensive renovation but we wouldn’t be surprised if a ghost or two decided to linger.