Ghost hunting in Townsville

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You don't believe in ghosts? You may change your mind after venturing out on one of Dave Dennis' new tours around Townsville and the surrounding countryside.

Townsville Ghost Tours visit some of the historic city's oldest and eeriest places, reliving the stories of haunted locations by lantern and torchlight.

The tours by both day and night were devised by Dave Dennis after he spent six months researching the city's colourful past, hearing stories from local people including those employed at haunted sites.

Among them are old pubs, cellars and cemeteries, where he relates tales of disturbed spirits such as resident ghosts, crying children who aren't there, murderers and their victims.

(Children under 12 may cry in real life when they find the tours are considered too spooky for sub-teens).

The Haunted Townsville Coach Tour - $A65pp ($NZ84) - operates on Fridays and Saturday from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.

A guided Ghost Walk Tour ($NZ44) around the CBD is held from 5pm every Friday and Saturday, while a package combining the coach and walking tour with a meal and "ghostly cocktail" ($NZ178) is also available.

West of Townsville, there's a tour on Mondays at 9pm to historic Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms, one of the region's oldest buildings, built in 1866 but modernised since.

It was formerly the Eueka Hotel, a stopover for bullock teams and Cobb & Co coach passengers.

Another tour outside the city ($NZ209) departs at 4.30pm on Sundays to arguably North Queensland's best known "ghost town," Ravenswood, 130km southwest of Townsville.

Ravenswood once boasted a population of 5,000 after the 1868 gold rush in the area but it's now just over 100, mostly catering for the tourists visiting old deserted buildings.

If you dare, you can stay overnight ($NZ342 for the two days) in a haunted guest room.

Forthcoming attractions, Dave says, are a Crime Tour of Townsville ($NZ82) and a Cemetery Walk ($A44).

Details: call 0404-453-354 or email ghosttourswestnet.com.au. A website is expected to open shortly.

- AAP