Small list of larger paranormal dwellings across Toowoomba unveiled

Toowoomba has long been speculated as being Australia’s paranormal capital. But what are the cases that have people so perplexed?

FOR years, Toowoomba has been speculated as being the paranormal capital of Australia. While there are many who claim they have experienced eerie and unexplainable things, there are others who say there is always a logical explanation.

The Chronicle has put together a list of the top reportedly haunted spots across the Darling Downs.

We’ll let you be the judge.

1. Royal Bull’s Head Inn

HISTORIC PLACE: The Royal Bulls Head Inn at Drayton has reportedly numerous ghosts who call the site home. PICTURE: Alan Quinney / The Chronicle

Drayton’s Royal Bull’s Head Inn, built in 1847, has had reported paranormal activity for decades, with regular night tours taking place on site.

Visitors have reported hearing young children in some of the rooms, as well as sightings inside the pub, including two farmers who allegedly died of arsenic poisoning in the 1800s.

Visitors have reportedly heard a baby crying down the well, and there has been a sighting of a lady with long hair in a nightdress coming down the stairs.

The site is speculated to also be the place of numerous deaths.

2. Toowoomba Railway Station

OUR HISTORY: Toowoomba railway station, c1888. Picture: State Library of Queensland

In 1944, Elizabeth Perkins was killed by a train when her shoe became trapped in the line at the level crossing. It is believed she haunts the station and Drayton Cemetery, and has reportedly been seen in the second story window above the station’s waiting platform.

3. St Vincent’s Hospital

A Lady in Grey reportedly frequents the halls of St Vincent's Private Hospital Toowoomba .

A lady in grey is reported to frequent the hospital and has been seen many times by staff and patients.

It is believed she may have been a member of the Sisters of Charity, who established the hospital in 1922.

It is reported that she would assist patients when staff are not around.

4. Ascot House

Ascot House in Toowoomba, designed by architect, James Marks, c1876

23-year-old Maggie Hume has long been considered the ghost of Toowoomba’s Ascot House.

A housemaid at the time of her death, Maggie committed suicide in 1891 by ingesting four strychnine capsules.

It is believed she was pregnant and unmarried at the time, with three gentlemen reportedly blaming each other “for Maggie’s situation” at an inquest into her death.

5. De Molay House

Once the site of the Old Toowoomba Court House, a reformatory for girls, and the Old Toowoomba Gaol Wall, the site is reportedly haunted by a young girl who hung herself while she was in the reformatory.

She is also reported to haunt the Toowoomba Repertory Theatre just two doors down.

She has been heard warning actors to watch the third step, and several have claimed they have had their ankles grabbed.

6. The Strand Cinema

Strand Theatre during construction 1916. The Way We Were. History Toowoomba. Toowoomba postcards . The photos of Middle Ridge and many of Toowoomba were taken by Gordon Thomas when he was sixteen. He took them with a Box Brownie camera and developed them himself.

The old cinema has held many purposes over the years such as a church, hotel, picture gardens, and now a cinema.

It is reported a young woman who was killed in an upstairs room, haunts the cinema and has been seen in the upstairs windows.

Meanwhile, tales speculate of another woman, said to be Emma Millar, the mother of the Labour Party, who became sick and died, haunts Cinema 2.

The Darling Downs, particularly Toowoomba, is home to countless ghost stories.

7. Fairholme College

Fairholme College in Toowoomba, photo taken 1932. Picture: State Library of Queensland

It is believed that the spirit of a former teacher keeps a watchful eye on the students and haunts the grounds.

It is also reported an old principal haunts the principal’s cottage near the Talara gate.

2. Downlands College

Is that a ghost boy in a picture with Downlands College students?

Used as a military hospital during World War II, Downlands College has its fair share of spooky stories, including a man on fire running through the grounds, a priest who haunts the chapel, and a woman who resides in the administration building.

An old school photo (above) also shows a possible ghost boy in school uniform with his peers.

Is it just someone moving, or did someone want to also be in the photo?

Do you know of a location believed to be haunted? Email [e-mail].

Originally published as Small list of larger paranormal dwellings across Toowoomba unveiled