Posted in Jack Sim

Norfolk Island Ghost Tours
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Regarded as a living hell for the convicts that were sent there, today Norfolk Island is the opposite. This small, green island, surrounded by deep ferocious seas is a paradise compared to what it once was.

The first convict settlement was established soon after the arrival of the first fleet to Australia in 1788: Through the 19th century the two more attempts to make Norfolk into an island prison ended in abandonment. The stories which came from those unfortunate enough to serve and be held on Norfolk were horrific.

The commandants were sadistic and cruel, and used their powers over life and death to try to crush the souls of the men and women sent there. Brutal floggings with whips, deprivation of food and water, punishing work regimes and regular executions by hanging created a type of convict that mainland Australia rarely saw.

For the convicts created here depravity and hopelessness was the norm.

These circumstances have been fertile grounds for folklore, ghost and crime stories. Norfolk has scores of haunted houses, buildings and ruins. Locals have long enjoyed sharing yarns and tales of the myths and legends of their island.

One of the most enduring ghost stories is that of the "Bloody Bridge" which we will be visiting on our Norfolk Island Ghost Tour in October. This stone bridge built by convicts was the scene of a horrific murder in which prisoners killed their overseer and disposed of his body by stuffing it into the stonework of the newly built bridge. There are several different versions told of the crime, but the bridge itself is an imposing and eerie place to visit and will be a highlight of the 3 day tour.
We will also visit the ruins and Kingston the island's Gothic graveyard and also take in world class museums and displays. It really will be a trip of a lifetime Norfolk Island's convict history and hauntings is equal to Port Arthur.

The Norfolk Island Ghost Tour will be conducted by Jack Sim, Director of Ghost Tours. Who has been gathering stories from the islanders and local historians.

ONLY 4 PLACES LEFT!

Whole Tour Includes:
Flights to and from Norfolk Island (Brisbane Airport)
Accommodation at The Castaway Hotel (Twin Share)
Island Tours
Ghost Tours
Museum Pass
Small Car Hire (Vehicle insurance included. Fuel at your own cost)
Buffet Breakfast each morning (except Saturday 31st October)
Lunch Monday 2nd November (Other days lunch not included)
Dinner for three nights
Free time

Tour Does Not Include:
Travel Insurance (speak to Go See Touring Staff when booking for more information, and a quote. Travel Insurance is highly recommended, as there are limited services on the Island)
Fuel for hire car (fuel at your own cost)
Some lunches
Spending Money

CLICK HERE
for more information
(Pricing, Daily Itinerary, etc)

Charters Towers Ghost Tours has been the talk of the town, with some great news articles being written up about the inaugural tour on the 24.05.2015. The first tour was taken by local history tour guide Erica Finlay and owner and creator of Ghost Tours pty Ltd Jack Sim .

Jack Sim has always been fascinated by ghost towns ever since he read the book "Ghost towns of Australia" by George Farwell. Farwell's book explored abandoned townships, ports and mining settlements around the country.

Charters Towers and Ravenswood were referred to in Farwell's book. "These towns seemed really exceptional, so I always wanted to visit them. In December last year I finally was able to come up to North Queensland and visit Charters Towers and Ravenswood. I was thrilled to hear some of the best ghost stories I had ever heard. Local people shared with me their experiences with the spirits of the town. It's through these stories that we will tell the history of these towns to visitors."

Ghosts have been seen, heard & felt on tours the inaugural tour was no exception. As the group wandered the darkened streets of Charters Towers they  visited the popular department store Target Country, reputedly to be haunted by its former owner, The Stock Exchange and the World Theatre . The World Theatre holds the blood stained table on which the Mosman street tragedy took place.

One of the local journalists from the Northern Minor Newspaper , Morgan Oss went along on the very first ghost tour last week . "It was a very informative, local history evening.  I learnt things about Charters Towers that I didn't know.  I was hoping to get some sort of experience on the tour & myself & 2 others who were with me had an experience at the top of the World Theatre.  I left feeling very happy that there was some " ghostly " action that night. The tourists & visitors to our town who go on the tour will get a one of
it's kind Charters Towers experience."

TO WATCH THE VIDEO CLICK HERE

On Tuesday 23rd December 2014, Jack Sim will be greeting fans and signing his books at Dymocks Carindale for Christmas.

Come and chat with Jack Sim and Jack will personally autograph any of your copies from the Murder Trails Series, Ghost Trails Series, Classic Crime or Boggo Road Gaol series from 5:30pm until late for the late night shopping this Christmas!

Jack will be also be available to answer your questions about any of the notorious cases from his books, as well as other famous Brisbane Crime Mysteries.

So come on down to Dymocks Carindale on the late night shopping and see Jack for his Christmas book signing!

On Sunday 7th December 2014 at 10am until 2pm, Ken Blanch will be greeting fans and signing books at Dymocks Carindale.

Ken Blanch, author of "Who Killed Betty Shanks", "The Rampage of Killer Kast" and "Slim Halliday: The Taxi Driver Killer" will be available to talk about and sign any of his crime and murder mystery books.

Ken will be also be available to answer your questions about any of the notorious cases from his books, as well as other famous Brisbane Crime Mysteries!

So come on down to Dymocks Carindale on Sunday 7th December and see Ken Blanch at his book signing.

Venue: Dymocks Carindale
Starting: 10:00 AM
Sunday 7th December 2014
Ending: 2:00 PM
Phone Enquiries: 33447264

On the 24th of February 1935 The Truth Newspaper reported that Gladys Hardgrave was found guilty of astute confidence tricks, after a dramatic legal fight. This short, slim woman with tear brimmed sparkling blue eyes stood weeping as she was sentenced to 37 weeks imprisonment. As she was led to the watch house cells she murmured "to think it has come to this".

At large in Queensland for little over a month, Gladys Hardgrave posed as a gentlewoman, robbing businesses in Brisbane, Caboolture and Southport of more than £123 (roughly $10,670). She was revealed to be a clever swindler, tricking over 7 stores, banks and business people, purchasing shoes, hotel rooms, clothing, handing them boomerang cheques and simply walking away with goods and money. Dud cheques fell like autumn leaves.

The C.I.B. Branch started their investigation, Detective acting Sergeant "Nobby" Clark, Detective Currey and Purcel were assigned to the task of catching this fraud.  They found her in one of the leading hotels in Sandgate, posing as a wealthy widow, with a trained nurse to attend to her 17 month old daughter.