By Alesha Capone
Point Cook Homestead is a well-known historical site – but is also thought to be one of the most haunted properties in the western suburbs.
Lantern Ghost Tours conducts tours at the heritage-listed homestead on the third Saturday of every month.
This month, Star Weekly joined a tour by “ghost guide”, Ken, a veteran, having conducted more than 200 tours.
He starts out by joking he is not a psychic or out-of-work actor, but is intrigued by the history of the homestead, which was built by brothers Andrew and Thomas Chirnside between 1852 and 1857.
We visit the homestead’s stables, where racehorse Newminster was allegedly poisoned just before the 1876 Melbourne Cup.
Blame fell upon a young groom, Tommy, who was reported to have been seen shaking hands with a bookkeeper days before the race. Sadly, Tommy was later found hanging in the stables.
Later on, World War I flying ace Sydney Dalrymple purchased the homestead, which his young nephew, Maxwell, would often visit.
It is believed Maxwell’s spirit haunts a bedroom at the homestead.
Ken said the homestead’s former gamekeeper was also thought to haunt the property – and could possibly be the stern-looking man in an apron seen by some tour guests.
Ken said that he had seen a man in an old-fashioned waistcoat and boots walk behind an oak tree at the homestead and not re-appear, and a lady in Victorian clothing silhouetted in the homestead’s windows.
Tours of the Point Cook Homestead cost $36; children must be aged 12+ to attend.
Details: lanternghosttours.com
