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The Best Abandoned Places in Perth an Urban Explorer Has to See
There’s just something about abandoned places that makes my spine tingle but also sparks my curiosity like crazy. It’s like each crumbling wall and rusted gate holds a dark secret different from the vibrant graffiti they’ve been painted in.
And being the curious cat (and horror movie fanatic) that I am, I convinced my friends that we’re the bravest men on Earth and we can totally handle an eerie urban exploration without peeing our pants.
After lots of shivers, we’ve put together a list of the best abandoned places to explore in Perth for all you fellow thrill-seekers out there. So whether you’re a pro urban explorer or just have a soft spot for anything spooky, this list is for you!
Swan View Tunnel
From @perthhillsmundaring
Location: John Forrest National Park, Swan View
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/swan-view-tunnel
The Swan View Tunnel is a 340 m-long railway tunnel built in 1894 by 300 workers. It now serves as a popular rail trail for hikers visiting John Forrest National Park.
This is by far one of the eeriest places we’ve ever been to. Not only was it dark inside, but we also felt the sudden drop in temperature when we went in, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
Aside from the coldness and darkness inside, several ghost rumours surrounding the tunnel also made our visit even more eerie. Some say some of those who died in the accident that happened in the tunnel in 1942 still haunts the place today.
Pro Tip: If you continue on the trail, you’ll find the National Park Falls! The falls can help you calm down and forget about the eerie experience you just had in the tunnel.
The Medina Research Station
Location: 60 Abercrombie Rd, Postans
No list of the top abandoned places in Perth is complete without the Medina Research Station on Abercrombie Road. The building, now just a skeleton of its former self, once played an important role in agriculture research in the city.
We got some really good Urbex photos in the building because of the amount of backdrop we could use. There was rusting equipment, rundown factories, burnt walls, and tons of graffiti.
We went in the afternoon, and a lot of sunlight reaches inside the building, so it wasn’t really that spooky. Hence, if you’re not really into taking crazy Urbex photos and just want some spooky experience, it’s best to go at night.
Pro Tip: The place can be pretty easy to miss since there are no signs, and it’s not really right by the road. Just constantly check the right side of the road for an unfenced street.
Atlantis Marine Park
From @perth_life
Location: Two Rocks
Atlantis Marine Park was once a popular attraction in Two Rocks, bustling with excitement from visitors from different parts of the state. But when we stepped foot there, there was nothing but chilly silence, faded signs, and decaying structures.
We almost couldn’t pinpoint which areas once had dolphin pools, as the entire park was surrounded by overgrown vegetation. The glorious giant Neptune statue was also now filled with graffiti from everyone who had visited the abandoned amusement park.
While it definitely isn’t as creepy as other abandoned places on this list, the abandoned amusement park gives quite an unexplainable melancholy feeling. It’s a feeling you’ll only know when you come and see the place yourself!
Pro Tip: Most of the former theme park is fenced off, but you can enter near the dolphin statue. You’ll have to enter there to reach the King Neptune statue.
Nearby Perth
Castle Fun Park
From @tall.stories
Location: Cn Old Coast Road and Leisure Way, Halls Head
Distance from Perth: 50 minutes away
Castle Fun Park used to be a go-to spot for families (including ours) in the 1980s, with its medieval-themed mini-golf and pretty castles. But when we checked it out recently, it looked nothing like the ones I had in my baby photos; it’s all overgrown and eerily quiet.
Kids can no longer pretend to be princesses in the castles, as what we have left to explore is a vandalised and crumbling castle. The Australia map pool near the castle is also now filled with overgrown grass and rubbish instead of water and swimming kids.
There have been talks about the castle being redeveloped, so visit now if you want to see it. Don’t worry about not being able to access it, as the gates are already open, and most of the fences are already gone.
Pro Tip: Watch out for snakes and bugs! The area has so much vegetation, so there’s a high risk of meeting a snake while you’re exploring it.
