Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour – The Other Side

REVIEW · BRISBANE

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour – The Other Side

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  • From $39.45
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Operated by Historic Australia · Bookable on Viator

Brisbane’s ghosts wake up after dark. This Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour, The Other Side, turns Brisbane’s historic graves into a guided nighttime storywalk, with interactive, character-driven storytelling led by guides like Andrew (and the tour connection to haunted-historian Jack Sim). You’ll get a mix of famous names, weird local myths, and proper cemetery atmosphere, not just generic spooky talk.

I like that the tour gives you clear, specific stops to look at—like the possible Jack the Ripper burial angle and the strange tales around Spook Hill—and you move at a pace that makes the stories easy to follow. The main catch: it’s a dark walk with steep hills, and you must bring your own torch plus wear flat, enclosed shoes.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Other Side - Key highlights you’ll feel right away

  • Jack the Ripper angle at Toowong: decide for yourself at a possible grave site tied to the mystery
  • Spook Hill and a crypt stop: local legend plus darker cemetery corners in one route
  • Small group format: a maximum of 26 people, so it stays personal
  • Book included: you receive a copy of Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery by Jack Sim
  • Bring-your-own light: phone torch apps work, but you must plan for it
  • Start time and night setting: meeting at 7:30 pm keeps the atmosphere strong

Toowong Cemetery after 7:30 pm: what the night walk is really like

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Other Side - Toowong Cemetery after 7:30 pm: what the night walk is really like
This tour starts at 7:30 pm at 26 Richer St, Toowong QLD 4066, and you’ll finish back near the same meeting point. It runs about 2 hours 15 minutes, which is a good length for a ghost tour—long enough to feel like a real experience, not so long that it drags.

Expect walking in a cemetery setting at night. You’ll handle some steep hills, so good footwear matters. The good news: the group size is capped at 26, so you’re not constantly stopping and waiting for a crowd to catch up.

If you’re wondering about transport: the meeting area is near public transportation, so you shouldn’t need a car. That said, this is still a nighttime plan, so I’d give yourself a few extra minutes to get your bearings before you lose daylight.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Brisbane.

Your route: the possible Jack the Ripper grave and what it adds

One of the big reasons people choose The Other Side is the promise to tackle the Jack the Ripper question in Toowong Cemetery. The tour doesn’t just name-drop the story—it points you to a possible grave angle and then builds the surrounding legend around what you’re seeing.

I like this approach because it makes the tour feel like you’re doing field research with a storyteller, not passively being told what to believe. You’re asked to decide for yourself, and that keeps the whole thing from turning into a one-note “spooky facts” lecture.

This stop also sets the tone for the rest of the night: you’ll keep noticing how graves, locations, and local memory get braided together. Even if you come in skeptical, the route nudges you to look closely and think about why these stories stick around in Brisbane.

Hungry ghosts, local myths, and the weirdness around Spook Hill

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Other Side - Hungry ghosts, local myths, and the weirdness around Spook Hill
After the Ripper connection, the tour heads into some of the stranger legends tied to the cemetery. You’ll hear about hungry ghosts (including a hungry Chinese ghosts thread), and you’ll also get the eerie story behind Spook Hill.

Here’s what’s useful for you: these aren’t just “scare story” beats. They’re the kind of cemetery myths that reflect how different communities and generations remembered hardship, fear, and the unknown. The stories give you context for why certain names and locations keep coming up.

Spook Hill, in particular, is exactly the type of place that benefits from a guide. Without the story, you might just see a slope and move on. With the guide, you start noticing how people explain odd sensations or odd patterns—then you compare that to your own instincts.

This is also where the tour’s pacing matters. The stories are dramatic, but the route keeps pulling you from one meaningful landmark to the next.

Inside the crypt: why this stop works so well at night

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Other Side - Inside the crypt: why this stop works so well at night
The tour includes a creepy crypt stop, which is a big part of why the experience feels more like a guided walk through “mood” than a normal history lesson. Cemeteries are already quiet and full of texture, but at night the details get sharper—shadows, stone edges, and the way sound changes in a more enclosed space.

I love crypt stops in ghost tours because they’re naturally built for atmosphere. Even if you’re not a horror fan, you’ll feel the shift from “stories about the dead” to “stories placed in the actual architecture of death.”

One practical note: you’ll want to be fully ready for the terrain and the lighting. Since each guest must bring a torch (torch apps on your phone are suitable), you’ll get better photos and a clearer view of what your guide is pointing out.

Governor Blackall and the value of grounding legends in places

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Other Side - Governor Blackall and the value of grounding legends in places
A standout promise on this tour is that you’ll visit where the bones of Governor Blackall lie. That’s not just a spooky detail—it’s the point where the tour can feel especially real.

Local ghost tours can sometimes float off into pure fantasy. This one keeps landing back on named people and specific cemetery locations, which helps you understand why Brisbane’s cemetery legends feel more personal than the generic kind.

I also like that this is tied to the broader haunted-historian connection around Jack Sim and the Ghost Trails style of storytelling. The tour feels anchored in writing and documentation, even while you’re entertaining the myths.

If you enjoy history with a spine of folklore, this section is often the moment where the whole night clicks into place.

The guide experience: strong storytelling and an interactive vibe

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Other Side - The guide experience: strong storytelling and an interactive vibe
Guides are the engine of a ghost tour, and this one leans into that. People highlight the host’s storytelling and the fact that the experience feels interactive. That matters because interaction helps you stay alert and present, especially when you’re standing in the dark and trying to follow points of interest.

There’s also a theatrical element to delivery—some guides use an over-the-top voice style. If you prefer subtle narration, keep that in mind. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it will shape the tone of how you experience the “haunted” parts.

I also recommend you ask quick questions if something doesn’t make sense. The best ghost tours aren’t just about fear—they’re about curiosity, and a good guide will help you connect the dots between legend and location.

Price and value: is $39.45 a good deal?

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Other Side - Price and value: is $39.45 a good deal?
At $39.45 per person, this tour sits in the mid-range for Brisbane night experiences, but it earns value through what’s included. You’re not just paying for the walk—you also receive GST coverage, a donation to the Ghost Tours’ Haunted Heritage Fund, and a copy of Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery by Jack Sim (RRP $25.00).

That book alone changes the math. It gives you a chance to keep reading after the tour, and it helps you carry the stories forward rather than forgetting them the next morning.

So the real question for you is: do you want a guided cemetery storywalk plus take-home material? If yes, $39.45 starts to feel fair. If you only want a quick look at “a few scary stops,” you may feel it’s a bit long for what you wanted.

What you should bring (and what can ruin your night)

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Other Side - What you should bring (and what can ruin your night)
You’ll want to show up prepared. Each guest is required to bring their own torch, and torch apps on smart phones are acceptable. The tour also requires flat-soled enclosed shoes—no thongs, sandals, or high heels.

This sounds basic, but it’s the difference between enjoying the hills and feeling miserable halfway through. Also, the walking is described as moderate with steep hills, so wear shoes you can move in for more than a short stroll.

A few other practical reminders:

  • Confirmation is received at booking time (keep that message accessible).
  • You’ll use a mobile ticket.
  • Service animals are allowed.

If you’re planning outfits, think “night walk comfort” first, costume second.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This is built for adults and older kids, not tiny ones. Ghost Tours are not suitable for children under 10, and any child up to age 15 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

It also requires a moderate physical fitness level, mainly because of the uphill terrain at night.

If you’re the type who enjoys real places paired with local legends, you’ll likely have a great time. If you get uncomfortable with nighttime darkness, uneven footing, or dramatic voice acting, you might find it less enjoyable than a daytime history walk.

One more thing that’s big for planning: the tour requires that all travellers be fully vaccinated to attend (unless you have a valid exemption or are under 16). You’ll need to show proof or exemption at check-in, and if you can’t, entry will be refused with no refund.

Is the Jack the Ripper mystery worth betting on?

Here’s my balanced take. The tour tees up the Jack the Ripper claim enough that you’ll want to form an opinion—but it still leaves room for doubt, because it’s presented as a possible connection you should evaluate.

That’s actually a smart way to run it. It turns your curiosity into part of the experience. You’ll compare the story with what you see, and you’ll leave with more questions than answers, which is often what legends are best at.

If you love a good mystery but also want the fun of physically standing in the setting where the story points, this tour delivers.

Should you book Toowong Cemetery The Other Side?

Book it if you want a guided nighttime walk with specific cemetery stops, a guide who tells stories in a lively, engaging way, and a take-home book that helps you keep learning after the tour. The included Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery by Jack Sim makes it easier to feel like you got your money’s worth, especially at $39.45.

Skip it (or consider a different kind of tour) if you hate steep uphill walks at night, don’t want to carry a torch, or prefer your ghost stories subtle and low-key. Also plan for the vaccination requirement, because it affects who can attend.

If weather changes, you can be offered another date or a full refund—ghost tours live and die by the night conditions. And if you book with enough time, you have free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

If you’re in Brisbane and you like the idea of combining local folklore with real places you can point to, this is one of the more focused ghost tours in the area.

FAQ

How long is the Toowong Cemetery The Other Side ghost tour?

The tour runs about 2 hours 15 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at 26 Richer St, Toowong QLD 4066, Australia. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:30 pm.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $39.45 per person.

Is a torch required?

Yes. Each guest must bring their own torch. A torch app on a smart phone is suitable.

What should I wear?

You must wear flat-soled enclosed shoes. Thongs, sandals, or high heels are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Ghost Tours are not permitted for children under 10. Children up to age 15 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

Do I need to be vaccinated?

Yes. All travellers must be fully vaccinated to attend, unless you have a valid exemption or are under 16. Proof or exemption must be shown at check-in. If you are refused entry, there is no refund.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes GST, a donation to Ghost Tours’ Haunted Heritage Fund, and a copy of Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery by Jack Sim.

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