Do you believe in ghosts? The team at Appi Ghost Hunts & Tours sure do, and they’d love to take you along for the ride.
Nestled within 200 acres of parkland sits Old Government House, Australia’s oldest public building. Constructed between 1799 and 1818 by convict labour, Old Government House was home to the first ten Governors of NSW and was used as their country residence, away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney town. The expansive grounds have stood the test of time and now belong to the National Trust and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I am no stranger to the paranormal; in fact, I would consider learning about it a hobby of mine. For as long as I can remember I’ve been interested in things that scare me, so have naturally been on multiple ghost tours. This, however, was no ordinary tour. This was a ghost hunt, where visitors were guided by experienced paranormal investigators to contact the other side.
The night began with a quick history lesson on the house and the tragedies that occurred within and around its walls. We were then split into groups and led to different areas of the house to start our investigations.
Upon stepping into the house, my chest felt immediately heavy, as if someone placed a weight on it.
My first experience took place in the dining and drawing room, using EMF (Electromagnetic Field) readers and audio recordings to measure any paranormal phenomena.
The group was seated in each room whilst one by one we asked questions of whoever may be with us, listening back on the audio recording for any noise. This had me on edge. Waiting in silence for something to happen, the tension was palpable, and I was trembling.
To my surprise, the group did make contact, with a spirit moving a ball which no one had stood anywhere near all night. This was an incredible start to the evening.
The next experiment focused on sensory deprivation and how that’s useful in channelling spirit activity. Guests were seated in a pitch-black room with headphones on, whilst those outside prompted any spirits to touch, whisper to or make themselves known to those inside.
Unfortunately fear got the better of me here and I decided to not take part – this hunt was scary enough! Those in my group however did report feelings of someone brushing their hair or as if someone was standing next to them… creepy.
The third activity was undoubtedly my favourite, using a spirit box as a means for spirits to communicate through radio signals. Conducted in the home’s cellar, this to me was the most interesting experience and revealed some details about past residents that matched with historic records.
Our final investigation involved spiritualistic tools such as a pendulum, Ouija boards and scrying mirrors, all of which were very popular in the time of Old Government House. Group members asked questions of those passed on, and had their reflections changed before their eyes as spirits tried to communicate who they were and why they were there.
Peta and the team at Appi Ghost Hunts & Tours operate an exceptionally well-oiled machine, with each member displaying true passion for what they do. Despite feeling a level of fear I never thought possible, this is an absolute must-do if you’re a fan of the paranormal.
A truly unique experience and like nothing I’ve ever done before, this will leave you utterly terrified and ready for more.
Visit https://www.appighosthunts.com.
Madeline Dantier is the author of the Experience Parramatta series, hosted by Parra News.