Pacific Pines haunted house on Gold Coast among the scariest in Australia

A spooky Gold Coast home has taken Halloween to the next level – and has been recognised among the best in the state. SEE THE PICTURES

A home in Pacific Pines is among the scariest in Australia, with its Halloween display ranking in the top six of an annual decorating competition.

Owner Michael Lacey constructed a haunted house in his front yard for CostumeBox’s annual Halloween House Competition, complete with gargoyles, gravestones and garish special effects that took weeks to construct.

Michael Lacey's Pacific Pines home has been kitted out for the CostumeBox Halloween House Competition.

“We’ve spent the past few weeks building it piece by piece,” Mr Lacey said.

“All of our props and tombstones are homemade — our coffins, our columns, the facade. Everything.”

Mr Lacey said only the lighting, smoke machines and robotics were store bought.

“We’ve got a creepy haunted house look. Basically something you’d drive past and say ‘I don’t want to go in there’.”

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It is the 10th year Mr Lacey has put together a Halloween display and in that time he has grown both his collection of decorations and his community fanbase.

He said more than 300 people came to look at the display the first night they turned the lights on. And, on Halloween eve, Sunday “we had over 600 people”.

Mr Lacey and his partner Roz have hand made almost every element in the display.

“We even have our own security to make sure we keep things under control,” he said.

“Everything runs a lot smoother (with security), it gives you a chance to talk to people and show them the display and answer their questions.”

The haunted house took a month to construct with a small but mighty construction crew picking up the tools when Mr Lacey injured his fingers in the beginning of October.

Monday night’s spooky festivities are expected to be huge – Mr Lacey and his partner Roz have put together 2000 lollybags in anticipation for eager trick-or-treaters.

The Queensland Ghostbusters will also be driving by (in their iconic car) to scope out the scene.

They will also offer prizes for the Best Dressed visitors, and have a pumpkin patch for those more easily scared to enjoy.

You have from 5pm until 9pm to check out the festivities at 68 Aldgate Crescent, Pacific Pines. Get the latest details of the event – and to share your pictures – Darkness Falls on Facebook.