Ghost stories hit different after dark. This 2-hour walk through Toowong Cemetery blends interactive storytelling with specific, unforgettable stops like a possible Jack the Ripper grave. I also love that you’re given a copy of Jack Sim’s book to keep the threads straight afterward; the main drawback is the steep-hill walking and the fact you must bring your own torch.

You’ll start at 7:30 pm and spend about 2 hours 15 minutes moving between highlights, including hungry Chinese ghost legends, weird Spook Hill, a creepy crypt, and the bones of Governor Blackall. The tour is run as a historic ghost experience led by haunted-historian Jack Sim, with guides who lean into story craft.

This is small-group night tourism (max 26), and you’ll need flat-soled enclosed shoes and proof of vaccination or a valid exemption. Kids must be at least 10 to be allowed, and anyone 15 or under needs an adult close by.

Key things that make this tour special

• Jack the Ripper gets treated like a real mystery, not a simple scare
• Hungry Chinese ghosts, Spook Hill, and a crypt keep the story variety high
• Small group size (up to 26) makes it easier to hear the guide and follow along
• You need your own torch; phone torch apps work
• You get a book copy by Jack Sim included with the tour price

Toowong Cemetery at 7:30 pm: the logistics that matter

If you want spooky storytelling without the chaos, this tour is built around a tight time window and a manageable group size. It starts at 7:30 pm at 26 Richer St, Toowong (QLD) 4066, runs for about 2 hours 15 minutes, and finishes back at the starting point.

The big practical stuff is easy to miss if you show up casually. You must wear flat-soled enclosed shoes—no thongs, sandals, or high heels—and you’re required to bring a torch (a phone torch app is fine). This is a cemetery walk, at night, on uneven ground, and you’ll be happier if your shoes feel stable the whole time.

Plan your arrival with weather in mind. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled for poor conditions you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. Also note that the tour requires proof of vaccination or a valid exemption at check-in (no proof means you can be refused entry, with no refund).

One more detail: mobile ticketing is used, so have your confirmation ready on your phone. That helps because you’ll want your time focused on the cemetery instead of sorting out screens and paperwork.

The route on the other side: what you’ll walk through and why it works

This tour is all about the specific vibe of Toowong Cemetery—older sections, tight story pockets, and locations where local legends cling. You’re not just strolling past headstones; you’re getting guided commentary tied to named stops, so the night has a clear structure.

Expect to cover a moderate amount of walking on steep hills. That matters because the tour is 2+ hours outdoors, and the “spooky” factor can feel like a lot more if you’re out of breath. If you can handle a hilly night walk, you’re in good shape; if not, choose your pace and take breaks when the group pauses.

The tour title, The Other Side, signals a different angle than the usual “ghosts and scares” approach. You’ll be hearing the haunted history of Toowong Cemetery through selected tales, including the ones most closely tied to Brisbane’s identity. It’s less about jump scares and more about the way stories get carried through time.

Jack the Ripper and the possible grave question

The first major hook is a question many people come for: is Jack the Ripper buried at Toowong Cemetery? Instead of giving you a neat answer, the guide leads you to a possible grave and frames it like a mystery you can weigh for yourself.

Why I think this stop is such good value: it turns a famous name into something local. You’re not just reacting to the legend; you’re learning how Brisbane got woven into a much larger ghost narrative. That makes the rest of the tour feel more grounded, because the scary part is also historical storytelling.

A second reason this stop lands well is that the tour doesn’t treat it like a one-note trick. You’re also moving through other haunting themes right after, so the Ripper stop works like an anchor point for the evening. You’ll likely remember the rest of the details better because your brain has something specific to attach them to.

Hungry Chinese ghosts: legends that sound eerie and human

Next up are tales of hungry Chinese ghosts. In ghost tour land, “ghost story” can mean anything from generic terror to a specific cultural legend with local roots. Here, the hungry element gives the stories a sharper edge—it’s not only about death, but about wanting, lingering, and the strange way old fears survive.

This is also where you’ll start noticing the rhythm of the tour. The guide uses each stop to build a theme rather than just repeating the same scare format. That’s one of the reasons the experience tends to feel fun instead of grim: the stories vary, and each new location adds a slightly different flavor of unsettling.

If you like ghost stories that feel tied to place, you’ll probably enjoy this stop. The cemetery setting makes these tales feel less like spooky theatre and more like something people have told and retold in Brisbane for years.

Spook Hill: the weird legend that gets your attention

Then comes Spook Hill, which is exactly the kind of name that makes you pause and listen. Even if you don’t know the legend beforehand, you can expect the guide to treat it like a real oddity worth discussing, not just a catchy tagline.

Why this stop is worth your energy: it shifts the tour from “who’s buried here” to “what this place does to people.” Ghost legends often attach to unusual physical features, and Spook Hill suggests there’s a local perception tied to the ground itself. On a night walk, that idea feels extra believable because you’re already moving slowly, seeing less than normal, and focusing on the space around you.

This is also a good place to slow down and pay attention to the guide’s pacing. The hill and the dark naturally make you more aware of footing and distance—perfect conditions for a story that depends on feeling out of sorts.

A creepy crypt: when the setting becomes the story

You’ll also visit a crypt, and the vibe is the point. Crypt stops tend to work on two levels: the architecture or location does the work for you, and the guide’s narration fills in the emotional details.

A practical note: crypt areas can feel tighter and darker than open paths. That’s another reason your torch matters. A phone light is fine, but don’t count on waving it wildly; use it to keep your footing steady and to follow the guide’s directions.

If you’re the type who likes a tour that’s more story-driven than theatrics, this part likely hits hardest. It’s the kind of stop where even people who aren’t chasing “scares” can appreciate the atmosphere and the local legends attached to it.

Governor Blackall’s bones: the human anchor inside the haunting

One of the most grounding moments is the stop connected to Governor Blackall’s bones. Ghost stories can drift into pure fantasy if you’re not careful, but this kind of location keeps the tour anchored to real people and real burial history.

I like this stop because it reminds you that cemeteries aren’t made for spooky movie plots. They’re made for remembering people, and the ghost talk becomes a way of coping with the fact that the dead are still part of the town’s landscape.

If you enjoy the historical side of ghost tourism, you’ll likely appreciate the balance here. The tour doesn’t throw history away to chase only fear. Instead, it uses the bones-and-burial context to give the legends a stronger base.

The guide makes or breaks it: Jack Sim’s style, and what you’ll feel on the walk

The tour is operated with haunted-historian Jack Sim, author of Ghost Trails Series and Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery. That matters because you’re not just buying spooky entertainment—you’re getting a structured story experience tied to named local tales.

What I find especially valuable is that the guides tend to treat the tour like an event, not a lecture. One of the strongest praised aspects is the storytelling and interactive approach, which helps you stay engaged for the full 2+ hours. You’re not only listening; you’re being pulled into the narrative as you move between stops.

Still, there are two things to keep in mind. First, the cemetery walk is in the dark and on hills, so if you’re tired or easily distracted by physical effort, you might not enjoy the “pay attention to every detail” feel. Second, dramatic delivery can be a mixed bag for some people—if you’re sensitive to over-the-top performance styles, you may want to mentally prepare for a more theatrical tone than a quiet history walk.

Price check: is $39.45 good value for this kind of night tour?

At $39.45 per person, this tour isn’t the cheapest way to spend an evening in Brisbane—but it’s also not priced like a premium theatre show. The best way to judge value here is to add up what you receive.

You get:

• A guided 2 hours 15 minutes nighttime walk
• Admission ticket included
• A donation tied to the Haunted Heritage Fund
• A book copy: Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery by Jack Sim (RRP $25.00)
• GST included

That book detail is the value lever. If you were considering buying the guidebook-style title anyway, the tour price starts looking a lot more reasonable. Even if you don’t read the whole book, having it as a takeaway gives you a way to connect names and stories later.

Also, the group size is limited to 26, which usually helps the experience feel less crowded and more listenable. In a cemetery setting at night, that clarity matters more than you’d think.

So yes, I think it’s priced fairly for what you get: a focused guided route, a souvenir book, and a small-group story night.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This is a good fit if you want:

• A night ghost walk with a clear route and named story stops
• Interactive, story-led guiding rather than silent wandering
• A mix of spooky legends and historical grounding

It’s not a great fit if you:

• Need fully flat terrain (the tour involves steep hills)
• Want a kid-friendly, low-intensity experience (children under 10 aren’t permitted, and under 15 must be supervised by an adult)
• Can’t meet the vaccination/proof-of-exemption requirement (proof is required at check-in, or entry can be refused with no refund)

It also fits better for people who can concentrate in the dark. You’ll be outside after sunset, and your enjoyment rises if you can stay present and follow the guide from stop to stop.

If you’re planning a first-time Brisbane trip and you like authentic local stories—especially the ones that grew out of real places—this is an easy “yes, do it once” kind of tour.

Practical tips to get the most out of the night walk

I’d handle the setup like this so your evening feels smooth:

• Arrive early enough to find the start at 26 Richer St without rushing.
• Wear flat-soled enclosed shoes and consider thicker socks if it’s cool.
• Bring a torch and test your phone flashlight before you leave.
• If you’re traveling with anyone who needs extra help on hills, plan your pace in advance.

One more small-but-real point: this is a mobile-ticket experience. Keep your confirmation accessible so you don’t waste time at check-in. Once you’re in the cemetery, the best part is the story flow—so protect it by sorting logistics early.

Should you book The Other Side tour?

Book this tour if you want a night walk that mixes famous-name legend (Jack the Ripper) with Brisbane-specific cemetery stories (hungry ghosts, Spook Hill, a crypt, and Governor Blackall). The strongest reason to go is the combination of storytelling that stays engaging plus the practical value of the included Jack Sim book.

Skip it if you don’t do well with hills after dark, or you’re not prepared for the rules around shoes, torch, and vaccination proof. If those checkboxes work for you, this is a fun, memorable way to see Toowong Cemetery as more than just a resting place.

FAQ

What time does the Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour The Other Side start?

It starts at 7:30 pm and runs for about 2 hours 15 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tour?

The meeting point is 26 Richer St, Toowong QLD 4066.

Is a torch provided?

No. You must bring your own torch. A phone torch app is suitable.

What should I wear?

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

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

Do I need vaccination proof to attend?

Yes. All travellers must be fully vaccinated or have a valid exemption. Proof must be shown at check-in, or entry can be refused with no refund.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 26 travellers.