With the popularity of its beaches and ports, paranormal activities are the last thing you’ll associate with Perth. But if you want something different, you’re in for a treat, as the city is dotted with spooky places to explore.

We rounded up the most haunted spots in and around Perth to help spice up your itinerary. With or without ghosts, the backgrounds of these locations will make your hairs stand on end.

What are the top haunted spots in Perth?

• Fremantle Arts Centre
• Kalamunda Hotel
• Rose & Crown
• Fremantle Prison
• The Roundhouse
• Alkimos Wreck
• Kenwick Pioneer Cemetery

1. Fremantle Arts Centre

Fremantle

The historical Fremantle Arts Centre has been around since the 1860s, with its first iteration being a lunatic asylum. 

The gothic structure saw various transformations throughout the years, becoming a women’s home, then a US forces base during World War II.

Stories of unexplained temperature drops, doors going ajar, and banging noises are known occurrences in the building up to this day. There is also a rumored woman apparition walking around that even some visitors reported seeing.

The spooky background is connected with the building being an asylum at first. Questionable deaths at that time, including that of a woman named Catherine Clifford in the 1900s, prompted the closure of the structure. 

But due to its historical significance, the community opted to preserve the structure and put it to good use. 

Despite its checkered past, the Fremantle Arts Centre is now a vibrant place for art exhibitions, live music, and workshops and is one of the well-known cultural destinations in the Perth suburbs.

The best news? Admission to the arts center is free.

After the ghost hunt: Complete your cultural trip by visiting the nearby Shipwrecks Museum. 

If you like shopping, head over to the Fremantle Markets where 150 stalls selling fresh produce, clothing, handicrafts, and souvenirs await you. The place also has a food court with a wide selection of yummy street food. 

2. Kalamunda Hotel

Kalamunda

An old structure like the Kalamunda Hotel is no stranger to ghost stories. You’re looking at a hundred-year-old building built in 1902 and rebuilt in 1928 following a fire incident. 

Many residents and guests claim that a resident teenage girl ghost haunts the corridors of the heritage hotel. Rumors go two different ways about the death: she either threw herself off the balcony or died in Room 24.

Other ghosts include an old man, a lady in Victorian dress, and one of the hotel’s former owners, Paddy Connolly. 

Not that you have a foolproof way of knowing their identities. They rarely show themselves but make their presence known by moving inanimate objects or producing eerie sounds.  

Past the horror stories, you’ll see that the building is a gorgeous venue for functions. The old hotel’s charm lies in its brick walls, wooden furnishings, and off-the-city-center location.

The hotel’s menu includes traditional pub meals and fresh seafood sourced from local suppliers, perfect for those craving local flavors.

After the ghost hunt: Go for nature walks in Kalamunda National Park and Jorgensen Park. Meanwhile, near the Railway Road is the Kalamunda History Village, which can give you insights into early life in the suburb.

3. Rose & Crown

Guildford

As the oldest hotel in Western Australia, Rose & Crown is a renowned venue for paranormal rumors and sightings.

The hotel’s main “attraction” is its extensive cellars located beneath the dining halls. Stories say that ghosts of former convicts and past guests roam the place.

One story tells of a woman who died after his husband threw her down the stairs for infidelity. Rumors say that the husband’s ghost has been in remorse ever since and couldn’t pass on completely. 

Horrors aside, the heritage hotel is a certified looker with its charming rustic pubs, lush garden, and cozy fireplace area. Moreover, the heritage suites are certain to induce nostalgia, even for guests who weren’t born in the 1840s. 

After the ghost hunt: Guildford is home to heritage trails that can satisfy your adventurous spirit. Pick up a brochure from the Swan Valley Visitor Center and begin your walk there.

You can also head over to James St. to buy some items from the antique shops or sample food from the other pubs, such as the Guildford Hotel and Woodbridge Hotel.

4. Fremantle Prison

Fremantle

Similar to old hotels, age-old jails like the Fremantle Prison are infamous for ghastly stories involving executed convicts that haunt the cells and walkways. 

Convicts built the jail in the 1850s, and during its operation, it saw 44 executions, which is quite a number enough to produce a ghost or two. 

One of the famous ghosts is said to be Martha Rendell, the only woman who was executed after being convicted of murdering her three children. 

Rumors say that her soul roams the stairways and walkways, and she sometimes shows her face at the church prison’s windows.

Visitors looking for a good scare can book the prison’s Torchlight Tour. The eerie activity will allow you to walk along the prison’s cells while listening to firsthand ghost stories and maybe feel a cold spot or creepy presence yourself while you’re at it.

After the ghost hunt: You might feel a bit imprisoned after touring the cells, so head over to the Esplanade Park to breathe some fresh air and feel grateful for your liberty. 

Also, check out the legendary Capuccino Strip at South Terrace and enjoy some local craft beer while people-watching.

5. The Roundhouse

Fremantle

Fremantle is chock full of historical buildings, but The Roundhouse takes first place as Western Australia’s oldest structure. 

Opened in 1831, the public building first served as a gaol. 

It then became a police lockup, then accommodation for the Water Police, and has been used as a storage facility for Fremantle ports until the government owned it and the city deeded it in the 1920s. 

The Roundhouse’s ghost is said to be a 15-year-old boy named John Gavin who was executed there when the building is still a gaol. 

Residents believe that the loud noises and bumping objects at the gallery are signs of John’s protest, as it turns out that the boy was innocent.

The most interesting event in the Roundhouse is the reenactment of the historic time signal at 1:00 PM. The guide will fire the building’s cannon the way it was done in the past when guards signal sailors and seafarers to adjust their chronometers.

After the ghost hunt: Apart from the guided tour, you can also opt to roam the building at your own pace to take pictures of the beautiful limestone architecture and the ocean view. 

6. Alkimos Wreck

Mindarie

Juicy stories of jinxes and mysterious sightings make the Alkimos Wreck a premium haunted location. 

The wreck was once a Greek-owned merchant ship stranded in the Mindarie Keys in 1964 after it struck a reef off the Western Australia coast in 1963. 

The wreck was left to disintegrate through the years. But when it was still visible from land, caretakers and explorers reported strange events inside and around the ship. 

Stories include apparitions of a small dog in the engine room, footsteps on ladders when no one’s there, a human figure in rubber boots and oilskins nicknamed “Harry,” and Morse key clatters in the unoccupied radio room.

There are also allegations of welders being sealed between the hulls of the ship when it was still under construction, making the SS Alkimos a creepy vessel even before it was reduced to wreckage.

Another famous account is the discovery of a human skull belonging to the prominent swimmer Herbert Voigt near the wreck. The athlete vanished in 1969 as he attempted to swim between Cottesloe Beach and Rottnest Island.

Today, only a tiny part of the ship is visible on the surface. Still, it attracts scuba divers for its mysterious allure, not to mention that the Indian Ocean and the surrounding landforms are a sight to behold. 

After the ghost hunt: Try the other local beaches, Quinns Beach and Jindalee Beach, to wash away the creeps you get from the wreckage. Adventuring at the Yanchep National Park is another option if you want to get out of the water.

7. Kenwick Pioneer Cemetery

Kenwick

The old Kenwick Cemetery was constructed in 1865, with over 200 people buried on the property. In 2001, the cemetery stopped holding internments and was registered as a place of significance by the National Trust of Australia.

The City of Gosnells offers so-called Ghost Walks from February to April, with the cemetery included in the route. The guides and several performers will share historical tales as you tread the lantern-lit way.

If you’re lucky, you might spot the rumored headless horseman of Kenwick, who apparently holds his severed head as he rides across the realm of the living. The sightings are said to occur midnights on the Armadale train line’s flyover.

After the ghost hunt: Experience nature by exploring the Brixton Street Wetlands, Ellis Brook Valley, and Centennial Pioneer Park.

FAQs about Perth

What is Perth best known for?

Perth is best known for its many sunny days, pristine beaches, and vibrant restaurant scene. It’s the ideal destination for tourists wanting more sunlight and local and international flavors.

The city itself is packed with hip bars and fine-dining restaurants, but the fun doesn’t end within the central business district. Surrounding CBD is 19 beach destinations, with one of the liveliest being the beachfront Scarborough community.

The port city of Fremantle, a nearby suburb, is also an excellent place for cultural trips with its many historic buildings, souvenir shops, and lovely harbors.

Whale watching is also a staple activity around Perth, with Fremantle, Hillary, and Rottnest Island serving as pickup points. 

What is the best month to visit Perth?

If you’re concerned about the weather, the best time to visit Perth is in spring, which falls from September to November. The average temperature is generally tolerable at around 20℃ to 26℃ (68℉ to 80℉).

Perth during this time is a sight to behold, as the flora in the city’s parks is in full bloom. Kings Park is a particularly stunning destination for viewing flowers.

That said, the best months will still depend on what you want to do in the city. For instance, if you want to go whale watching, it’s best to book during the tail end of autumn thru the beginning of summer when the whales are on the move.

How many days is enough in Perth?

A three-day itinerary will let you explore the city’s many urban attractions and nature reserves. Book for up to seven days if you want to explore the suburbs and spend more hours on the beachside.