Spook-tacular finale planned for Indooroopilly haunted house

It has terrified young and old for eight years. Now, this popular Brisbane haunted house is on the move to a new location. We take a look at what you can expect on this year’s Halloween weekend.

It started off as a Halloween party with a bunch of Brisbane Boys’ College mates, but eight years later James Postle and his band of horrifying funsters have created what could be Brisbane’s biggest and scariest haunted house.

And this year is its last outing at Carinya St in Indooroopilly, to the relief of his Mum who has hosted at impressive display of animatronics, lights, scary figurines and sound effects.

The spook-tacular will relocate to Bellbowrie next year when Mr Postle relocates.

“This is it for Indooroopilly so we decided to go out with a big grand finale,’’ he said.

“I take off two weeks every year from work to put it all up, but my brother Mark (and friends Elliot Brown and Jane Hillyard) are here for a lot of that time as well.

“It takes only a day to pack up, which is a bit sad after all the effort we put in.’’

Each year they spend about $1000 on lollies for trick or treat bags and “fog’’ gas.

There are ghouls in cocoons hanging from the ceiling, creepy “family’’ portraits, innumerable hairy spiders, skeletons galore and Mr Postle’s favourite — an imported animatronic ghoulish girl.

Elliot Brown and Jane Hillyard (right) stage a dress rehearsal. Picture: John Gass

“She swings herself, moves her head and talks. The real nightmare was the trouble we had shipping her here from America,’’ he said.

The animatronics, fake fog, strobe lights and spinechilling soundtrack are all controlled from an impressive homemade control deck which a nightclub DJ would be proud to get behind.

“We really enjoy creating something that is so far outside the everyday,’’ he said.

“It’s so great to give people a thrill and see their smiles after it’s all over.’’

Mr Postle said the event had to be scaled back last year due to the pandemic, with only the front yard decorated for passing walkers or motorists.

An added problem last year was a late afternoon hailstorm which forced them to scramble to get the animatronics in before there were damaged.

He asked people to wear face masks.

Queensland Health also asked parents to consider individually packaging lollies and washing hands before and after handing them out, and to not attend Halloween events if feeling unwell.

The haunted house is open Saturday and Sunday nights. Parents of younger children are advised to come earlier in the evening when the scare level will be lower.

From 8pm the scare factor hits maximum, but youngsters can hit a panic button to stop the show.

Donations appreciated. Address: 84 Carinya St, Indooroopilly.

Be prepared to line up for half an hour or more.

For details check out their Facebook page.

Elliot Brown (left, in skull mask), James Postle and Mark Postle (right, in scarecrow costume). Picture: John Gass