A Haunting at the Gawler Railway Station
Is the Gawler Railway Station haunted? Recently, I have had reports of a spectre
haunting the Gawler Railway Station. The first railway station was built here
in 1857. The first train arrived on 5 October 1857 and was described in the
Register as a ‘train of 13 first and second class carriages, plus three to four
open carriages carrying approximately 900 passengers. The carriages were profusely decorated with flags and banners, and the engine was garlanded
with flowers'.
The train departed at 9:15 am, accompanied by the strains of the National Anthem, and reached Salisbury by 10:00 am, arriving at Gawler at 10:50 am.
The 1857-built railway station was demolished, and a new one was built in 1879. The new station featured a booking office, waiting, refreshments, ladies' rooms, and station master and luggage departments.
The following is a historical sample of some of the deaths
that have occurred at the historic railway station.
In 1875, Station
Porter Charles Woods died at the station after suffering a fit and falling
from a train carriage onto the rails and stones below.[1]
In 1896, Porter, Donald McAuley tried to jump from the platform onto a moving
engine – something he had successfully performed many times before. This time,
McAuley slipped and went under the train. His right leg was instantly
amputated by a train wheel, while his left leg was shattered at the ankle.
Despite medical treatment, McAuley died just a few days later.[2]
In 1893, the Broken Hill express was
leaving Gawler, with Guard Peter Power standing on the footboard of the
breakvan. As the train left the platform, Power was struck by a water column,
causing him to lose balance and fall under the last wheels of the carriage. His
legs were almost severed at the ankles. Power was taken to the Adelaide
Hospital by train, but expired the following day.[3] In 1911, George White, an engine driver, died
suddenly at the Gawler Station. White was sitting on a seat talking to a fellow
employee when he suddenly leaned back and died.[4]
The
reported ghost is often seen sitting on the benches of the station. From the
description given, it appears to be male and dressed in an older style suit.
The entire apparition is grey in colour and stares south, as if waiting for
the train to arrive. It is now known who the apparition was in life.
Researched
and written by Allen Tiller ©2026
[1] 'ACCIDENTAL
DEATH AT GAWLER.', The Express and Telegraph, (15 December 1875),
p. 2.
[2]
'Accident at the Railway Station.', Bunyip, (30 October 1896), p.
3.
[3]
'Fatal Accident at the Gawler Railway Station.', Bunyip, (4 August
1893), p. 2.
[4]
'SUDDEN DEATH.', The Register, (18 January 1911), p. 5.
