Guided Ghost Tour at Southport Cemetery
*From one of the parking lots before entering. I looked at this photo a few times. Maybe I'm seeing something thats not there, bad photography, poor lighting or is there a very small person or child wandering this place. I've turned the brightness up in this picture in the event you might be able to see it better?
Not too long ago I booked some tickets to join a guided ghost tour at Southport General Cemetery, Queensland. Both eerie and educational, it was a visit I certainly don't regret. This night we heard stories about the cemetery and it's own local legends. We took quite a few photos and had a few memorable experiences. Most of the photos were just morbid reminders that we very visiting the final burial place for many but a couple of them have left me thinking and wondering. I think I rather enjoy these little mysteries that have sprung from them.
So we entered and made our first stop at the grave of a woman that was potentially the woman who is often seen wandering the outskirts of the cemetery at night and hear the story of her demise. It was sad hearing about Jessie's death. Our guide is talking and I felt uncomfortable, I had a weird sensation on my left foot like I'm wearing a toe ring. In reality I'm convinced I have something in my shoe and it's annoying and I shuffle my foot a bit. He says to us all we will sit down and have a talk soon and I cant wait to take my shoe off and have a look. By the time we get there it goes away and I forget all about it, now distracted by the announcement the toilets are locked. Even though I don't need to go I know I'm here for a few hours and I'm wondering if I will get nervy and this will become an inconvenience.
*one of multiple creepy pics we looked at in review of what was normal post mortem many many years ago
We sit for a while and look at quite post mortem pics and as creepy as that sounds it has helped calm my nerves and we head on for several more stories and stops, one of which is the priests grave. Looking back I'm pretty sure someone was bumping or shaking the cage around it but I couldn't see anyone doing it. There's a bit of vibration there but at the same time I'm worried I'm calling out 'ghost' every stop we make and I remain skeptical, especially knowing I've even bumped it myself. Have I rattled my own cage?
*orb on the grave?
There were multiple other stops and stories on the way to my next creepy pic. I don't think I want to give the whole tour away though. You have to check some of it out yourself and hear it first hand. Quite a few people seemed to pick up pictures of large orbs. I got a few small ones. These I am sure of as I have very deliberately pointed the camera in the opposite direction of any torch lights. I would hate to ruin any potentially good photos by mixing in the reflection of any torches. I also took a few pics towards the outer boundaries of the cemetery in hope to catch someone wandering around who wasn't really there.
*another orb? Heres a pic of the same grave with and without the orb. There's nothing shiny or reflective there
I have to say this second part of the tour was the most interesting but really there is potentially and experience at any of these parts.
*memorial for the Holocaust victims
We get to the area by the place they have nick named the Gaza Strip with reference of course made to the religion and heritage divisions and burial places in the cemetery. Our tour guide is talking, again providing some history and even reference to the purpose of the water jug/basin down this end. I have pic I am pretty curious about that I had a good look at when I got home. The grave with the orb is next to 'Wood' is here too. Can you see something in the following random pic? I wasn't sure what to make of it.
*its a pretty tidy part of the cemetery. Just gravestones and flat bits. I don't think it's a bush.... I'll have to go back and have another look I think.
Anyways we travelled on this time with some divining rods, EMF etc. There's a few more stories and we stop at these large above ground burial chambers. Something loudly brushes against my pocket and I'm stunned but I actually say something this time because it impossible that anyone else has done it. They just aren't close enough. Next thing I know my daughter is asking me if I pulled her hair. No way. If anyone fakes anything at a time like this just about everything else will be even harder to believe. I also have no intention of leaving the group early if someone freaks out. There's no way it was me. At times for the rest of the tour she mentions that she feels tapped on the ankles. We keep interrupting our tour guide with our experience. Another member of the group captures a light around our feet on film. I may think its a torch light but that doesn't change the fact that I think everything else is real. I am utterly convinced.
*EMF meter- you betcha that I'll be getting me one of these!!
We journey on and I take a whole lot of other random pics, sometimes I think I have seen something and they aren't in the pictures. Are my eyes playing tricks on me or was there something in the corner of my eye. As we wander on more. My daughter feels the firm pressure on her shoulders as we try to find someones grave. We get side tracked and wander off and then rush back to the group. Time passes fast here and suddenly I wish we could stay forever. As we sit down again for another talk my daughter places her back against me. She isn't scared but she also doesn't appear very happy. She complains that she has the sensation of someone running their finger along her back. It sounds like she's had enough. It bothers me that I haven't felt this too. It's how the brain works I guess. I want a bit more personal space and when my daughter doesn't stop rubbing her back all along me I speak firmly over my shoulder to the nothingness behind us and thank whoever is there for visiting but they have to go now and say something along the lines about them having to stay here.
*I can't see anything in this pic but I was looking for something because I kept thinking I saw something moving out there. Oh well.
One wish at the cross road later and we then head on for the final few stops at the end of the tour. At this point in time it is getting pretty late but I'm keen to get home and get some kids to bed. Yes I thought the tour was child friendly but I'm also concerned that their own very superstitious beliefs are a gateway of their own to bringing home some kind of unwanted pet that may be a trouble later. We leave and discuss the water cleansing ritual mentioned to us during the tour today. The kids discuss it as fact and we plan a stop in our home town before home to do some water cleansing.
And there we have it.... an attempt to not give too much of the tour away while informing the experience of the visit, as weird as that sounds.... I'd love to say it all but it's best that you see and experience it all for yourself. In review I'm keen to go again, both with and without the tour. Next time I'll definitely bring some of my own tech, well thats the plan anyway. As for value for money? At about $40 its about the same cost as 3 large pizzas and sides. I'd say thats good value for money.
No regrets here, except maybe the wish at the crossroads thing.
It was great fun and very interesting.
I'm looking forward to the next adventure.
Until next time
-Mez