Luna Park haunted on 104th birthday, ghosthunters claim

DO ghosts still haunt St Kilda’s iconic Luna Park? Ghosthunters are convinced the beloved amusement Park — which turns 104 today — is home to more than one.

Luna Park by night can be a little eerie, according to staff. Picture: Supplied

HOME to some of the oldest rides in the world, people have been walking into Luna Park through its gaping, toothy mouth for more than a century.

And as the heritage listed theme park turns 104 today, its history is still felt in the rattling rails of the roller coasters and in the ghost stories that are often retold as its birthday draws near.

But it’s not just stories, people still claim to have spotted ghosts late at night in Luna Park, particularly the staff.

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Luna Park CEO Mary Stuart said for staff members at night, things can get a little eerie.

“Particularly at night, people who are closing down the palace building feel like there’s somebody there,” she said.

Ms Stuart said earlier this year, Aussiedownunder Paranormal Investigations — ghost hunters — combed Luna Park after dark to track down any lasting impressions from the beyond the grave.

People flock to a newly opened Luna Park.

“They said there were multiple presences in the Palais, and significant presence in the scenic railway, the Ferris wheel and the ghost train.”

Ultimately, their verdict was that Luna Park is haunted by “buckets” of ghosts.

Aussiedownunder Paranormal Investigations founder Gary Pendlebury said they were the first crew to investigate Luna Park for ghosts.

“You’ve got to be mindful that you’re dealing with people who have passed. We treat them with respect, and thank them when we leave,” he said.

Using expensive equipment such as UV cameras, infra-red cameras and night vision goggles, the ghost hunting crew set about their work in the witching hour, hindered a little by light pollution.

“The gear costs a fortune,” Mr Pendlebury said.

“We go through more batteries than a six-year-old.”

So what did they find?

They claim they heard a voice repeat “all aboard” in the playback of one of their recordings.

Workers load wooden planks during the construction of a ride.

The construction crew pose for a group photo in the park.

After investigating a little further, they came across a black and white photo dated to the 1950s that showed a child-size steam train near Luna Park for children to ride in a loop.

Mr Pendlebury said the photo explains the voice, which must have lingered over time.

The crew also report that they saw an old ghostly man standing next to the pipe organ on the carousel, wearing brown overalls.

And some members felt sharp pains in their stomach as they passed over a region where a woman was shot.

Mr Pendlebury said they might have more luck if they’re allowed to visit again as the ghosts would be on more familiar terms.

“They’re sussing us out, and we’re sussing them out,” he said.

“It takes a few tries for them to get used to us.”

The most sighted, however, is the “joker ghost”, whose story is told on a St Kilda ghost tour that starts in Luna Park.

Word has it one of the men who helped construct the Big Dipper — a roller coaster now demolished — saw a pair of eyes peering over a roof, but when he investigated, it was nowhere to be found.

Soon after, the mischievous ghost was often sighted standing on the scenic railway as the car approached, or surprising unwary visitors by appearing seated beside them on the Ferris wheel.

But of course, whether or not you believe in ghosts, the paranormal world is not hard science.

“There’s no expert in the field, no one can come back and tell us what’s going on,” Mr Pendlebury said.

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