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Q. How much are the tours?
A. Ghost Tours vary in price depending on the tour type. Visit the TOUR DETAILS PAGE and click on the tour buttons for details of each tour including the price. Tour buttons look like this:
Q. What classifies as 'Concession'?
A. Concession covers:
- Teenagers aged 12-17 years
- Full time students
- Pensioners
- Seniors
Q. How often to the tours run?
A. Ghost Tours are run on different nights of the week depending on the tour. Visit the TOUR DETAILS PAGE and click on the tour buttons for details of each tour including the times it is available. Tour buttons look like this:
Or you can go to the AVAILABLE TOUR DATES PAGE to see what tours are coming up.
Q. Will
We See Ghosts?
A.
Spirits, ghosts and evil entities have been seen on
the tours. Ghost Tours aims to create an environment
which encourages spirits and ghosts presence by undertaking
tours which are respectful of Their realm. Spectacular
full scale appearances of these Things are rare but
do and have occurred. Strange, weird and unexplainable
occurrences are regularly experienced by individual
clients. Stay alert as often spirits linger at the
edge of the darkness at the sites visited, studying
the groups themselves.
However there is no guarantee that you will definitely
see a ghost or even feel a presence. Encounters with
the Other World tend to be experienced by individual
clients rather than by an entire group. Spirits choose
whom they will reveal themselves to carefully and
deliberately. If you expect to see one, you may be
disappointed. The Dead are not circus animals forced
to appear and perform for the Living for a price.
Besides, if we did choose to force these Things to
appear on cue then we would have to charge a lot more
than we do and no-one would want to pay the price
They would demand...
Q. Which
is the creepiest tour?
A. Every tour is designed to be as creepy as possible
without compromising client safety. Some sites vary
in creepiness depending on weather, the behavior of
clients, and the amount of traffic and nightlight.
These factors Ghost Tours cannot control. There is
also variation between people as to what each finds
"creepy". What one mortal finds creepy may
not be to another.
Group sizes are managed to create as creepy and eerie
an atmosphere as possible. We aim to put a chill down
your spine on every tour...
Visit CLIENT and staff ghost stories
to read what our clients have experienced recently...
Q. Are
the stories real or just made up?
A. Jack Sim, creator and
founder of Ghost Tours has preserved local folklore
and legends - social history often ignored by traditional
historians history including "taboo" subjects
such as murder, death, ghosts, spirits and hauntings.
Every story is "real" to those that were
interviewed. The stories you will hear are based on
recollections, reminiscences and memories, gathered
from local people. There is a lot of careful research
behind the small details and facts revealed to clients.
Q.
Are
the sites visited really haunted?
A. Yes. At least the sources of the stories and tales
believe so. The stories you will hear are based on
recollections, reminiscences and memories, gathered
from local people. There is a lot of careful research
behind the small details and facts revealed to clients.
Jack Sim, creator
and founder of Ghost Tours, is committed to visiting
Southern Queensland's most haunted sites to convey
the haunted heritage of the sites. Australia has many
old buildings including jails, hospitals, islands
and houses which are claimed to be haunted. Certainly
these places and structures have an eerie "feel"
but a site must have a significant documented history
of spirit activity to qualify as "haunted".
Jack believes that for a
site to be declared haunted enough to justify conducting
tours for the public, all those people alive who have
had experienced supernatural occurrences must have been
interviewed, recorded and their recollections and information
compared and contrasted with known historical facts
and documents.
Many other ghost tours fail to record or preserve this
historical information (because in most cases it does
not exist), instead relying on either the sensational
unprovable impressions of questionable psychics or merely
tell scant stories from clients on tours. This does
not justify a site as haunted and is misleading. It
brings disrepute to a unique type of cultural heritage
tourism which is growing in popularity worldwide. Clients
on such tours expect and need to demand to know whether
claims made have been substantiated.
Q. Do
you have people jumping out at the group?
A. No. Every Ghost Tour
is undertaken with an eerie Ghost
Host who imparts
the haunted heritage of the site. The presence of these
creepy characters is Ghost Tours only concession to
theatrics - there are no extras covered in sheets leaping
from the shadows to give cheap thrills on these tours.
Q.
Why
don't you get people to jump out at groups?
A1. The real spirits
and ghosts present at the sites visited do not like
it and would stay away. We try to create an atmosphere
which draws Them close through eerie story telling which
They like very much (They sense fear, you see).
A2. There is a risk of injury if clients were frightened
deliberately in a dark and unfamiliar place
A3. Many of the places we visit are sacred historic
places such as cemeteries and access is a privilege.
It would be disrespectful to have pretend ghosts leaping
out in a place where people died, were murdered or lie
buried.
A4. Because most clients do not want this. Pretend ghosts
annoy more people than delight.
A5. There is a strong focus on the history of each haunting,
not just scaring people silly. We do not apologise for
this as the tours appeal to a wide range of people.
A6. Ghost Tours assumes those attending possess some
imagination and an interest in the background of why
a spirit haunts a site, rather than attending a tour
just to get terrified. The tales that are told are often
intricate and do require your mental attention. Don't
worry though...it will be creepy.
Q. Do you still run Haunted Sleepovers at Boggo Road Gaol and other Haunted Sites visited on the Ghost Tours?
A. No. Ghost Tours achieved national media coverage on Channel 9's travel show "Getaway" with Australian icon and presenter Ernie Dingo when he spent the night on a Haunted Sleepover at Boggo Road Gaol in 2001. The Haunted Sleepover, which included a historic Ghost Tour and an eerie Ghost Hunt through the deserted and derelict prison, was the inspiration for tv's "Scream Test" - the sound recordist on the Getaway story took the idea back to Sydney and developed this project - unfortunately he failed to give credit to Ghost Tours or even visit Boggo Road Gaol!
Similar ideas to Ghost Tours' Haunted Sleepovers are now run at many other prisons and institutions around the world. These sites however have been adapted to allow for overnight stays.
Ghost Tours is unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately!) unable to allow overnight stays at Boggo Road Goal and other Haunted Sites visited on the tours as these sites do not meet the strict fire regulations for overnight accommodation since the laws were tightened. If you are disappointed that you missed out then tsk tsk Ghost Tours only ran them for ten years :)
There are many other haunted sites around Australia which offer the prospect of spending the night with a spirit... stay tuned to www.ghost-tours.com.au
Q.
Can
we take photographs?
A. Yes. However to enhance ghost story-telling and to
create atmosphere we ask that clients refrain from using
photographic cameras whilst hosts are speaking. Flash
cameras (and Torches) can cause blindness when shone
in someone's eyes in a dark environment.
Anyone found to be deliberately flashing torches/cameras
into another's face will be immediately removed the
tour, no refund granted. Video or sound recording devices
of any sort are not permitted.
Q.
Can we record the stories?
A. The ghost stories and tales told on Ghost Tours are copyright. Please write for permission. Permission is given on a case by case basis.
You will need to include the reasons for wanting to record the material, whether it is for personal, research, media or commercial purposes. You will need to be very detailed and also explain how you will protect the image, reputation and integrity of Ghost Tours, and ensure that the material you record is not illegally copied or distributed beyond your use.
The ghost stories and tales told on Ghost Tours provide the company with an income stream to conduct research to develop new Haunted Sites for tours and provide employment for local professional actors and tour guides. Please respect our commitment to cultural-heritage tourism and do not record and distribute material illegally.
For several years Ghost Tours has not allowed recording for personal use. This is because some clients unfortunately do not restrict their use of this material to research and personal use. Many times copyright material has ended up on the internet, poorly recorded and inaccurate - one client even decided to start doing their own private tours for a fee without any insurances, permissions or experience based on information he recorded from one of our tours. The same client did not see the problem when we politely asked him to stop, citing that Ghost Tours had given him permission to record it for his personal use and that these were his friends! Nice eh?
Ghost Tours does allow reporters and the media to film footage for promotional purposes but even then we restrict what they film to preserve the stories from mass-circulation and to maintain the atmosphere and suspense of the tour. Ghost Tours also allows student filmmakers some access to tours/stories.
Q.
Are tours suitable for disabled people?
A. Yes, but unfortunately
some sites visited do pose some difficulties depending
on the nature of your disability. Hearing and speech
impaired groups have undertaken Ghost Tours in the past
and greatly enjoyed the experience however those with
severe disabilities which prohibit walking distances,
negating steps and inclines cannot unfortunately be
catered for.
Please contact Ghost Tours if you would like to discuss
your special needs.
Q.
Are
there toilet facilities during a tour?
A. No. Unfortunately there are
no toilet facilities available during each tour. It
is advisable to use toilet facilities prior to commencement
of tour. There are no toilet facilities available on
site at either of our cemetery tours, therefore, the
earnest is on you using your own facilities or locating
public toilets BEFORE the meeting time.
Ghost Tours do not hold tour departures for late comers.
Q.
Do
we need torches?
A. Yes. Torches are essential – one (1) per person.
Limited torches to be hired for a gold coin donation the the Ghost Tours Trust Fund for clients
who do not possess a suitable torch, all proceeds go to the maintenance and restoration of the Haunted Heritage Sties we visit. Torch suitability
is at Ghost Tours discretion. Mobile phones do not provide
adequate lighting for safety and spot lights may cause
blindness to some individuals and detract from the atmosphere,
neither of these (or any other similar devices) are
considered suitable torches. If in doubt, please contact
the Tour Coordinator for torch suitability. Generally,
all hand held flashlights bought in supermarkets are
considered suitable. Torch sharing is not permitted.
We will not permit a person without a suitable torch
to undertake a tour. Clients are advised to supply their
own torches to ensure they are permitted to proceed.
Q.
Do
we have to wear enclosed shoes?
A.
Yes. Enclosed shoes are essential. No enclosed shoes,
no tour is our strict policy. Enclosed shoes offer some
protection against injury; High heels, sandals, slippers
and thongs do not qualify as enclosed shoes.
Q.
Are
the tours suitable for young children?
A. No. Young people
love horrible history and love to get scared. Ghost
Tours are especially popular for teenage birthday parties.
For their safety and well being, the presence of an adult
parent or guardian during a tour is requested. Ghost
Tours is committed to its younger audience.
However Ghost Tours are not suitable for children under 12 years. Parents and guardians are advised that these tours features strong content in the form of true historic ghost stories and tales delivered in a dramatic style. The stories include gruesome and macabre material including murders, crimes, violence, deaths, executions and suicide. The stories can be frightening, scary and distressing especially for young children.
Children under 12 will not be permitted on any tour
Q.
Why
is there an age restriction?
A.
From 31/03/2004 a minimum age restriction was applied
to all tours. Young children may be disturbed or frightened
by the strong content of tours which deal with concepts
including suicide, murder, death, the occult and the
supernatural. Children in the past have become frightened
during the course of tours and wished to leave. This
creates safety issues for the entire group. Younger
children have sometimes been known to break down,
cry and be unable to move, creating safety issues
for staff. In the interests of the safety of all,
this restriction has been put into place.
Since implementing the restriction it has served to
make children approaching their 13th birthdays even
more excited at coming to do a tour...
Q. It's raining, is the tour cancelled?
A. No. We do not cancel tours due to what most perceive as "bad weather". Rain, thunder and wind is what we term as atmosphere.... What better night to tell ghost stories than a dark stormy one? If Ghost Tours staff deem that it will be unsafe to proceed with the tour then you will be contact by 6.00pm on the day of your tour. If you receive no phone call assume it will still be undertaken and wear suitable clothing / footwear and bring umbrellas / raincoats.
Q. I can't make the tour, can I get a refund or transfer to another tour?
A. Refunds/transfers are granted solely at the discretion of the Ghost Tours’ Tour Manager. If a tour booking is cancelled by a client, or if any member of the tour group cancels, the following policies apply:
- The Tour Manager, must be advised of any change in group numbers in writing, by the person who booked the tour.
- Cancellation 0-5 working days of tour date – No refund/full tour price charged.
- Cancellation 5–10 working days of tour date – 50% refund/tour price charged (excluding credit card charges).
Note: Failure to attend the actual tour for any reason is deemed to be a cancellation. Refunds will not apply.
Q. How
safe are the tours?
A. Undertaking a Ghost Tour is at your own risk; Each
Tour Assistant has basic first aid qualifications
and has access to a mobile telephone in the event
of emergency. All possible steps are taken to ensure
clients physical safety. Ghost Tours prides itself
on running safe tours and reserves the right to change
tour itinerary to protect clients from injury. Tours
are carefully structured to minimize potential injury
to clients and there are rules to ensure the physical
safety of the Living. This means that wandering around
freely in the dark in an old cemetery or prison alone
is not permitted. Ghost Tours makes no apologies for
restricting clients movements to ensure they are returned
safely to their loved ones. Ghost Tours reserves the
right to change a tour itinerary without notice to
clients in the event of bad weather or other unforeseen
factors – danger, obstacles etc.
Spiritual safety is an issue for clients to take responsibility
for. The spirits of the sites visited do not follow
the living home...
They are already at home in their own dark places...
Q. How
fit must we be?
A. Ghost Tours expects
clients to have a sound level of fitness. Ghost Tours
strongly recommends that those with the following
medical conditions do not undertake a tour:
Pregnancy;
Strained / injury muscles;
Recent surgery;
High blood pressure;
Asthma;
Previous Heart attacks;
Difficulties with standing/walking distances;
Difficulties with ascending and descending stairs.
Q.
Can
we smoke during a tour?
A. No. Smoking is NOT PERMITTED
during a Ghost Tour.
Q. Can
we consume alcohol during or before a tour?
A. No.
Alcohol is NOT PERMITTED prior to or during a Ghost
Tour.;
Clients suspected of being under the influence of
alcohol will not be permitted to undertake a tour.
Clients suspected of being under the influence of
alcohol during a tour will be removed. No refund granted.
Q. Can
we take drugs during or before a tour?
A. No. Apart from essential medication, drug use is
NOT PERMITTED prior to or during a Ghost Tour.; Clients
suspected of being under the influence of drugs will
not be permitted to undertake a tour.
Clients suspected of being under the influence of
drugs during a tour will be removed. No refund granted.
Q. Can
we wander around each site on our own?
A. No. For safety reasons, clients are expected to
remain in the company of their group unless directed
otherwise by the Host.
Ghost Tours expects clients to respect the historic
nature of its tours, the sites visited and other clients
on the tour. These tours are unique and rare. They
offer something which cannot be experienced any other
way.
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