If you’re ever traveling through Junee, New South Wales, don’t blink as you pass the towering facade of the Monte Cristo Homestead. This isn’t your average colonial estate—it’s considered Australia’s most haunted house, and not just by thrill-seekers. The walls whisper, the air grows colder with each step, and visitors swear they’ve come face to face with something… not quite human.
A Grand Home with a Gruesome Past
Monte Cristo was built in 1885 by Christopher William Crawley, a successful farmer who turned Junee into a thriving town with the arrival of the railway. The Crawleys lived lavishly, their wealth reflected in the grand architecture of their two-story Victorian manor. But their fortune came at a cost—both to themselves and to those who served them.
What was once a symbol of prosperity quickly became a house of horrors. Servants lived under strict, brutal conditions. Several deaths occurred on the property, including that of a young stable boy burned alive in a fire and a maid who reportedly fell to her death from the balcony. Some believe she was pushed. Others say she jumped to escape the torment inside.
And then there’s the most chilling tale of all—the mentally ill boy named Harold, locked away in the homestead’s coach house for over 30 years. Found curled beside his mother’s corpse after her death, Harold was sent to an asylum, but many say his tortured spirit never left.
The Ghosts That Refuse to Leave
The Crawley family’s presence still lingers heavily. The matriarch, Mrs. Elizabeth Crawley, is often seen in the upstairs window, dressed in black lace, glaring down at anyone who dares enter. Her footsteps echo through the upper floors, and strange mists have been photographed near her former bedroom.
Guests report being scratched, pushed, or overwhelmed with nausea for no reason. Lights turn on and off on their own. Objects move. One visitor even claims to have been temporarily possessed.
One of the most frequent ghostly encounters is that of a young child who died after falling down the stairs. Visitors often hear the sound of crying or the pitter-patter of tiny feet—when no children are present.
Australia’s Paranormal Hotspot
Today, the Monte Cristo Homestead is privately owned and operates as a museum and bed-and-breakfast for the brave. It’s a hotspot for paranormal investigators, many of whom claim it’s the most active location they’ve ever encountered.
EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena), shadow figures, temperature drops, and sudden camera malfunctions are just a regular part of the experience here. Some leave terrified. Others are drawn back, as if the house itself calls them.
Whether you’re a ghost hunter or just someone curious about the supernatural, Monte Cristo delivers an unforgettable experience. But be warned: many visitors say something follows them home.
So, the question is… would you dare spend a night at Monte Cristo?
