Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour: 2-Hour Guided Tales

Two hours through Toowong's haunted graves: Jack the Ripper, hungry ghosts, and the crypt on Spook Hill

A 2-hour guided historic ghost tour of Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane led by haunted historian Jack Sim, author of the Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery series. The tour visits Jack the Ripper's possible grave, Chinese hungry ghosts, the strange phenomenon of Spook Hill, a creepy crypt, and the burial place of Governor Blackall. You receive a copy of Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery (RRP $25) and a donation goes to the Ghost Tours' Haunted Heritage Fund. Children from age 10 are welcome with adult supervision; moderate walking up steep hills is involved, and you'll need flat-soled enclosed shoes and your own torch.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided ghost tour at Toowong Cemetery

• Visit Jack the Ripper's possible grave
• See hungry Chinese ghosts
• Explore weird “Spook Hill”
• Visit a creepy crypt
• View bones of Governor Blackall

The Experience

Two hours, moderate walking up steep hills, and a guide who has been running Brisbane's original ghost tours since 1998. Jack Sim leads you through Toowong Cemetery's real stories and legends — the question of whether Jack the Ripper is actually buried here, the hungry Chinese ghosts that haunt certain graves, the inexplicable pull of Spook Hill, and the crypt where something unsettling happened. The tour moves at a steady pace through the cemetery's older sections, stopping at each story long enough to let the history settle.

Flat-soled enclosed shoes are required (no thongs, sandals or high heels), and you'll need to bring your own torch — a smartphone torch app works fine. The walking is real and the hills are steep, so this tour suits people with moderate fitness who can handle uneven ground and sustained climbing. Children from age 10 can join if an adult stays with them the whole time; younger children aren't permitted. Service animals are welcome.

You take home a copy of Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery by Jack Sim, a $25 book that goes deeper into the stories you've just walked through. The tour also includes a donation to Ghost Tours' Haunted Heritage Fund. Public transport stops are nearby if you're coming from elsewhere in Brisbane and don't have a car.

What’s included

• A copy of Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery by Jack Sim (RRP $25).
• a donation to Ghost Tours' Haunted Heritage Fund.
• GST.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Historic Australia

Is this one for you?The tour starts and ends at Toowong Cemetery itself, so if you're staying in Brisbane without a car, check the public transport options nearby — they'll get you there. The 2-hour walk is steady and uphill, so come with moderate fitness and flat-soled shoes; if steep cemetery terrain or sustained climbing sounds uncomfortable, this one isn't the fit.

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Top questions

Is Jack the Ripper actually buried in Toowong Cemetery?

The tour visits his possible grave and presents the evidence — you decide for yourself whether he's buried there or not. It's one of the central mysteries the guide explores.

What are hungry ghosts and why do they haunt Toowong Cemetery?

Hungry ghosts are Chinese spirits believed to be restless and seeking sustenance. The tour visits graves where these hauntings are reported and explains the cultural beliefs behind them.

What happens on Spook Hill?

Spook Hill is a strange section of the cemetery where visitors report unexplained phenomena. The tour takes you there and walks through the documented accounts and theories about what makes it different.

How steep are the hills and how much walking is involved?

The tour covers a moderate amount of walking with sustained climbing up steep hills throughout the 2 hours. You'll need good fitness and proper footwear — flat-soled enclosed shoes are required, and sandals or high heels will get you turned away at the start.

Do I need to bring anything besides comfortable shoes?

You must bring your own torch — a smartphone torch app is fine. The cemetery is historic and atmospheric, and the light makes a real difference to seeing the graves and reading the headstones as the guide talks.

Who runs these ghost tours and how long have they been operating?

Jack Sim, a haunted historian and author of the Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery series, has been running Brisbane's original ghost tours since 1998. He leads the tour himself and draws on decades of research into the cemetery's real history and documented hauntings.