Urban exploration (urbex) in Australia offers a mix of abandoned asylums, ghost towns, forgotten tunnels, and decaying industrial sites. These places tell the hidden stories of Australia’s past, attracting explorers, photographers, and history enthusiasts. Here are the top 10 urbex locations in Australia for those who love discovering forgotten places.
1. Aradale Lunatic Asylum (Victoria)
🏥 One of the largest abandoned asylums in Australia, Aradale was built in the 1860s and housed thousands of patients over its 130-year history. The empty hallways, rusted hospital beds, and eerie operating rooms make it one of the most infamous urbex locations in the country.
2. Wittenoom Ghost Town (Western Australia)
🏚️ Once a thriving asbestos mining town, Wittenoom was abandoned after the dangers of asbestos exposure were discovered. Today, it remains one of Australia’s most famous ghost towns, with deserted buildings, empty streets, and a toxic history that prevents redevelopment.
3. South Fremantle Power Station (Western Australia)
🏭 This massive abandoned power station, closed in 1985, is a graffiti-covered industrial ruin with towering structures and crumbling concrete walls. It’s a favorite among urban explorers, but its decaying condition makes it a risky adventure.
4. Callan Park Mental Hospital (New South Wales)
🏨 A former psychiatric hospital in Sydney, Callan Park is filled with abandoned wards, overgrown courtyards, and haunting remnants of its past. Some sections remain in use, but large parts are completely deserted, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
5. Monte Cristo Homestead (New South Wales)
🏰 Known as Australia’s most haunted house, Monte Cristo Homestead is a historic mansion with a dark past, abandoned rooms, and ghostly legends. It’s one of the most famous urbex locations for paranormal explorers.
6. Old Adelaide Gaol (South Australia)
⛓️ This historic prison, which housed thousands of inmates from the 1800s to the late 1900s, remains partially abandoned, with empty cells, execution rooms, and underground tunnels creating a chilling atmosphere.
7. The Abandoned Railway Tunnels (Various States)
🚇 Across Australia, there are numerous abandoned railway tunnels hidden beneath cities and forests. Some of the best-known include Old Helensburgh Tunnel (NSW), Victoria’s Tarilta Tunnel, and the disused tunnels near Brisbane. These locations are often dark, overgrown, and covered in graffiti, making them eerie yet exciting places to explore.
8. Atlantis Marine Park (Western Australia)
🎡 Once a marine-themed amusement park, Atlantis was left abandoned in the 1990s. The crumbling dolphin pools, overgrown slides, and the famous giant King Neptune statue remain as reminders of its past glory.
9. Farina Ghost Town (South Australia)
🏜️ This deserted outback town was once a major settlement, but harsh conditions and economic decline led to its abandonment. Today, crumbling stone houses, rusting equipment, and empty buildings remain as a haunting reminder of Australia’s past frontier towns.
10. Larundel Mental Asylum (Victoria)
🏚️ A former psychiatric hospital, Larundel Asylum was abandoned in the late 1990s, leaving behind graffiti-covered wards, empty patient rooms, and decaying hallways. Parts of the site have been redeveloped, but some sections remain untouched and eerie.
Conclusion
Australia is home to some of the best urbex locations, each offering a unique and mysterious look into history. Whether it’s an abandoned asylum, a forgotten ghost town, or a decaying industrial site, these places provide thrilling experiences for explorers. However, always prioritize safety and legality when visiting abandoned places.
