Haunted Highercombe Hotel

Highercombe Hotel Museum

Investigation at the Highercombe Hotel Museum

Recently, Eidolon Paranormal had the pleasure of investigating the Highercombe Hotel Museum, thanks to our friend Karina Eames. As far as we are aware, only one other group—our friends at Icey Paranormal—has previously conducted a spirit investigation at the site.

Historical Background

The Highercombe Hotel was built in 1853, when Tea Tree Gully was still known as Steventon. Although the township had a reasonable population, it was not large enough to sustain two hotels: the Highercombe Hotel and the Tea Tree Gully Inn directly across the road. As a result, the Highercombe closed its doors as a hotel just twenty‑four years after opening.

The Tea Tree Gully Inn prospered after the main road was diverted to pass directly in front of it, becoming a major stopping point for stagecoaches and horse riders.

The Highercombe building, however, found new life in other roles. From 1879 to 1963, the northern side served as the local post office and residence for the postmaster. From 1875 to 1934, the southern side housed the head teacher of the Tea Tree Gully Public School. Later, from 1930 for roughly twenty years, the southern portion was rented to the Hughes family as a private residence.

In the 1960s, the building briefly served as the library and office for the Tea Tree Gully Council. In 1967, it was bequeathed to the National Trust, beginning its transformation into a museum. In 2015, the site was renamed the Tea Tree Gully Heritage Museum and continues to be operated entirely by volunteers.

Haunting Theories and Reported Activity

Our research has uncovered no recorded deaths within the building that might directly support a haunting. However, the museum contains numerous personal effects—objects deeply connected to their

former owners. This lends itself to the theory of attachment, held by some paranormal investigators. The idea suggests that certain objects, cherished or significant during life, may retain a spiritual connection after death. The spirit, unable or unwilling to part with the object, remains near it. Several experiences within Highercombe seem to align with this theory.

One reported sighting involves a young girl seated before the fireplace in the large downstairs sitting room near the hotel’s entrance. Volunteers have glimpsed her briefly, sitting quietly as though warming herself by the fire.

Our Investigation

During our investigation, we experienced our own unexplained moment in an upstairs room. We were reading poetry that had been bequeathed to the museum as part of an estate. As Karina and Karen read aloud, another investigator observed a small white light pass between two team members before vanishing. At the same moment, several investigators felt sudden coldness and goosebumps.

We are still reviewing our data and intend to return for further investigation. The identity of any spirit within the former hotel remains unknown, but the building’s layered history and personal artefacts make it a compelling location for continued study.

 

The Haunts of Adelaide Turns 3

THOA turns 3 on Oct 22

A very big thank you to each and every one of you who has read, shared or commented on a Haunts of Adelaide topic over the past three years.

 This week on Thursday the 22nd, the blog hits three years of weekly articles - that's 156 articles about the ghosts, hauntings, UFO sightings, Bushrangers, Crimes, people, politicians and paranormal investigations of Adelaide, and South Australia.

In that time we have seen the blog (very early on I might ad) get added to the National Library of Australia's PANDORA archives, which aims to protect writings the Government of Australia deems important to the history of our nation.

 It has also seen the birth of its first book " The Haunts of Adelaide - History, Mystery and the Paranormal" by Allen Tiller (me ) - which is a collection of 30 stories some previously published on the blog (but with more details added) and some exclusive to the book itself.

Currently as I write this, I am working on the follow up book " The Haunts of Kapunda"...and after that, maybe a follow for Adelaide, or Port Adelaide, or the Copper Coast..maybe the Riverland? Who knows, there are endless possibilities for locations and ghost stories to be discovered, researched and written ab out in our great state!

Again, thank you for your support

Allen Tiller

Captain Johnstone’s Cottage – Murray Bridge

Captain Johnstones Cottage – Murray Bridge

 Owned and occupied by the family of Captain Adam Johnstone, the Captain’s Cottage Museum in Murray Bridge is one of the region’s most recognisable heritage properties. For many years, it has also carried quiet rumours of a lingering spirit.

Captain Adam Johnstone’s maritime career began in Europe, where he served under Captain Francis Cadell during his early years as a trader between Leith and the Baltic ports. He later joined his brother in whaling operations in the Arctic Seas, gaining extensive experience in northern waters.

Johnstone arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the brig Lady Emma, which also transported the first two Murray River steamers—the Albury and the Gundagai—in prefabricated form. He assisted in the construction of both vessels from the imported components and subsequently served as a crewman on the Gundagai, eventually earning the distinction of becoming its first officer.

Like many South Australians of the era, Johnstone left for the Victorian goldfields in 1851 in search of fortune, but soon returned to resume his work on the Murray. He later entered the service of Mr. S. Heseltine, captaining several of his vessels until Heseltine retired and sold his fleet. Johnstone then joined the firm of Mr. John Whyte, commanding two of his steamers—the Medindie and the Shannon—remaining with the company until Whyte’s death and the subsequent sale of his ships.

Captain Adam Johnstone passed away in 1905 at the age of 71. He was remembered as one of the most respected river men to have worked the Murray during its formative decades of steam navigation.

Although the Captain’s Cottage Museum is steeped in historical significance, documented ghost stories are scarce. Local lore suggests that a spirit is said to linger in the rear kitchen of the home. While some have speculated that the presence may be connected to Captain Johnstone himself, there is little evidence to support this. It is more plausible that the spirit belongs to a later resident of the property. As yet, its identity remains unknown.

For those who have visited the cottage, personal experiences vary widely. If any of you, regular readers, have encountered something unusual or unexplained at the Captain’s Cottage Museum in Murray Bridge, we would be interested to hear your account. You can share your experiences on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheHauntsOfAdelaide

© 2015 Allen Tiller