Creepy stories in Brisbane, on foot. I like how this Toowong Cemetery The Other Side tour turns the night into a guided walking story, with stops tied to legends like Jack the Ripper, hungry Chinese ghosts, Spook Hill, a crypt, and where Governor Blackall’s bones were laid. It’s run by haunted-historian Jack Sim, and it leans hard into the questions and myths instead of pretending everything is fact. One heads-up: the tour has strict requirements for gear and rules, so you’ll want to show up prepared.

My favorite part is the storytelling format. The pace is built for a night walk through the cemetery, and it feels more like an interactive history-and-haunt chat than a silent “follow the leader” stroll, especially in a small group capped at 26 people. Plus, you get a book in the price, listed at an RRP of $25, which makes the $39.45 ticket feel easier to swallow.

The biggest consideration is practical: you must bring your own torch (phone torch is fine) and wear flat, enclosed shoes, and you’ll need vaccination proof at check-in. If you want a casual, leave-it-to-chance outing, this isn’t that kind of experience.

Key points to know before you go

• Small group size (max 26) keeps the tour from feeling crowded and lets the guide keep control on dark paths.
• Possible Jack the Ripper grave location is part of the walking route, and you’ll be asked to judge the clues yourself.
• Spook Hill plus a crypt stop adds variety, so it’s not only names and dates.
• Phone torch works, but you still need a real light source you can use while walking.
• Book included (Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery by Jack Sim) helps you keep the stories after the tour.
• Steep hill walking means your shoes matter more than you think.

Toowong Cemetery at 7:30 pm: what The Other Side feels like

This tour starts at 7:30 pm at 26 Richer St, Toowong (and it ends back at the meeting point). The timing matters. By night, Toowong Cemetery shifts from a place you pass by into a place you actually notice: gateways, slopes, stone shapes, and the long lines of pathways start to feel purposeful. Even if you’re not a big believer in ghosts, the setting turns the myths into something you can physically walk alongside.

The route is built around a “both scary and curious” mood. You’re not just looking at graves. You’re moving through spots where stories cling: places tied to famous names, unusual legends, and a few details that get repeated for a reason. The tour also has a clear, focused length of about 2 hours 15 minutes, which helps you plan your evening without guessing how long you’ll be out.

And because it’s capped at 26 people, you’re less likely to lose the guide. I find that matters at night. In a larger group, you spend more time trying to see what’s happening and less time taking in the story being told right where you’re standing.

Why Jack the Ripper and Governor Blackall are central to the tour

This is a ghost tour that leans into questions. The big hook is Jack the Ripper: you’ll be guided to a possible grave site and asked to decide for yourself if it’s him. That approach is important. It keeps the tour from feeling like a single loud claim. Instead, it plays like a mystery walk where the guide points you at the strongest bits of the legend and lets you judge what fits.

Another name you’ll hear is Governor Blackall. You’ll also visit where the bones of Governor Blackall lie. That one shifts the mood slightly. It’s not just a “spooky story” stop. It adds a layer of real, old Brisbane presence. You start paying attention to how the cemetery is laid out, how memorials are placed, and how legends attach themselves to physical locations.

I like that the tour doesn’t treat history like a museum display. You’re walking through it. You’re seeing how the stories “live” in the ground itself—through paths, crypts, and the careful way certain areas are pointed out.

The ghost stops you’ll remember: hungry ghosts, Spook Hill, and a crypt

A strong ghost tour has variety, and this one does. The itinerary includes legends such as hungry Chinese ghosts and the strange local tale around Spook Hill, plus a stop connected to a creepy crypt. Those components help the tour avoid becoming repetitive.

Here’s what that means for your night experience:

• Hungry ghost stories bring emotion into the walk. Instead of only names, you’re listening for motivation: why people fear, why stories spread, and what people believed at the time.
• Spook Hill is the kind of stop that changes how you interpret the terrain. If you’ve ever felt weird in a place after hearing local lore, you’ll understand why a physical “weird hill” story works so well at night.
• The crypt gives you a darker, enclosed-feeling stop. Even with no supernatural proof, a crypt location naturally feels more intense because it’s built for remembrance in stone.

The guide stitches these stops together so you keep moving. And movement is part of the magic. You don’t just stand and listen for two hours. You walk, stop, listen, and walk again, which makes it easier to stay engaged.

Price and value: what $39.45 really covers

At $39.45 per person, this tour isn’t “cheap,” but it also isn’t overpriced once you look at what’s included. Your ticket covers GST and includes a donation to the Ghost Tours’ Haunted Heritage Fund. That’s one small piece that turns the ticket from pure entertainment into support for keeping the stories and sites respected.

The biggest value lever is the included book: Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery by Jack Sim (RRP $25.00). If you like reading after a tour, that matters. You’re not just buying a night walk; you’re also getting something you can reference later when the stories start mixing in your head and you want to sort them out.

There’s also the small group cap. Up to 26 people means you’re paying for access to the guide at night, not just admission to a dark location.

What’s not included is also clear: you’ll need your own torch. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a real cost if you don’t already have one. The good news is that a torch app on your phone is suitable, so you can avoid buying equipment.

Where you meet and how to handle the dark logistics

Meeting point is 26 Richer St, Toowong QLD 4066. Because the tour starts at night and walking involves steep hills, this is where preparation saves stress. If you’re the type who hates arriving late in the dark, I’d get there early enough to get your bearings and confirm you’ve got the right spot.

One practical note: the cemetery environment can be easy to misread at night. If the area feels hard to find once you’re standing near it, don’t assume you’re lost. Use your phone mapping app and zoom in on the exact address.

Also plan for the walking reality. The tour involves a moderate amount of walking up steep hills. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you do need to accept that there will be slope and uneven terrain. That’s why the footwear rules are strict, and why you should not treat them like suggestions.

What to bring: torch, shoes, and the rules that affect entry

This tour is strict about safety and access. You must wear flat-soled enclosed shoes. If you show up in thongs, sandals, or high heels, you’ll be declined entry, with no refund. So if you’re in Brisbane on a warm night and you planned to go casual, change the plan.

You’re also required to bring your own torch. A torch app on a smart phone is suitable, but make sure it’s something you can quickly turn on without fumbling. At night, speed matters.

Then there’s the rule people forget until check-in: vaccination requirements. All travellers must have been fully vaccinated to attend, unless you have a valid exemption or you’re under 16. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be shown at check-in, or you’ll be refused entry and there’s no refund.

If that sounds like a hassle, it is. But it also tells you the tour operator is treating this like a controlled activity with clear boundaries. If you match those boundaries, the night tends to run smoothly.

On top of that: service animals are allowed, and children under 10 aren’t permitted on any tour. If you’re bringing teenagers, note that children under and including 15 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

The guide style: theatrical storytelling vs your personal comfort

Ghost tours live and die by the guide’s delivery. On this experience, the vibe can be highly theatrical, with a performed voice style as part of the storytelling. If you love that kind of energy, you’ll likely enjoy it a lot. If you prefer low-key narration, you might find it takes a little getting used to.

I also like that the tour includes moments that feel more engaging than a straight lecture. In the stronger moments, you’re not just listening; you’re reacting to the story, asked to think, and prompted to notice specific details.

One more balanced note: there can be less friendly interactions at the cemetery entrance. That’s not the tour itself, but it can color the start of your night. If you go in knowing you might encounter a firm, no-nonsense gate moment, you’ll avoid getting thrown off before the real storytelling begins.

Group size, walking pace, and who this tour suits best

The tour is about 2 hours 15 minutes, and it’s not “sit and stay.” You’re out at night on a cemetery route with steep sections. If you’ve got moderate physical fitness, you should be fine, but if hills are a problem for you, consider carefully.

This is also a tour for people who like stories with some evidence-flavored detail. It asks you to decide for yourself on the Jack the Ripper question, and it points you toward places where the legend is said to connect. If you want only jump-scares, you may find the tone more curious than chaotic.

Who I think will enjoy it most:

• Anyone who likes local legends tied to real locations
• People who enjoy guided walking over staring at a screen
• Readers who want a follow-up book (the included Jack Sim volume is a strong bonus)

Should you book Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour – The Other Side?

Book it if you want an evening walk where the setting, the guide, and the stories all work together. I especially like that the ticket includes a book, and that the tour takes a mystery approach to the Jack the Ripper claim instead of insisting you accept one conclusion.

Don’t book it if you’re not willing to follow rules. The footwear requirement, torch requirement, and vaccination proof at check-in are not optional. Also, if steep hills and dark navigation stress you out, you might prefer a daytime history walk instead.

If you do book, go prepared: bring a working torch (phone is fine), wear flat enclosed shoes, and give yourself time to find the meeting point. Then lean into the fun part: listening for clues, noticing the locations, and letting the “decide for yourself” energy do its job.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour – The Other Side?

The tour lasts about 2 hours 15 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

The tour starts at 26 Richer St, Toowong QLD 4066, Australia.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $39.45 per person.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes, the tour includes a mobile ticket.

Do I need to bring a torch?

Yes. You must bring your own torch. A torch app on your smart phone is suitable.

What should I wear?

You must wear flat-soled enclosed shoes. If you wear thongs, sandals, or high heels, you will be declined entry.

Are there age limits?

Ghost Tours are not suitable for children under 10 years and will not be permitted on any tour. Children under and including age 15 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

Are there vaccination requirements?

All travellers must be fully vaccinated to attend, unless you have a valid exemption or are under 16. Proof must be shown at check-in or you will be refused entry.

What is the cancellation window?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.

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