The history and grandeur of old buildings across the Warwick district has inspired a supernatural interpretation in a new series by videographer Pete Murray now being promoted online.
Their physical presence and sheer beauty is one thing, but the series has looked deeper to discover a paranormal element.
Not surprisingly, the videos begin with Glengallan Homestead. Uninhabited for more than half its lifetime, it remains frozen in time.
Glengallan is a time-warp experience, presiding, as it has since 1867, over the fertile Glengallan Valley to Cunningham’s Gap in the Great Divide.
“People come back to the Heritage Centre after going through the house and tell us stories of how they felt a chill or how they saw someone at a window,“ explains Donna Fraser, Chair, Glengallan Homestead Trust.
Restored from ruin in 2001, the iconic Glengallan Homestead emerges from the ruins of the 1867 mansion as a unique heritage experience. “The building is a traditional Victorian style built of sandstone to last the testament of time, with the addition of the Queensland wrap around verandas,“Ms Fraser said.
Glengallan Homestead general manager Jonno Colfs recalls his first-time being in the homestead alone.
“I definitely felt something, a little bit spooked, a little bit eerie. I scooted out in quite a hurry. I try not to look at the windows as I walk across the lawn to the house as the last thing I want to see is movement in a window. It’s probably my imagination and reading too many Stephen King novels.”
Another standout of Warwick’s heritage assets is the Abbey Boutique Hotel. “Originally it was built as a convent in 1891,” explains owner and self-confessed building custodian, Mark Cairns. “In its hey-day it had some sixty girls boarding here and being taught by the nuns.”
“We instantly fell in love with the property and originally purchased it as a residence, but decided to renovate it to a boutique hotel,” said Mark. “When we first bought it, it was very spooky and very eerie. You do hear things at night. Things do move around a bit. We had person staying here the other night, he said he didn’t lock his door, but all of a sudden the lock was closed and the key had been turned in the lock“
“We do Murder Mysteries, where you and up to 25 to 30 friends can book out the entire property and we’ll host the Murder Mystery for you, including dining and spending the night.
“So are we haunted?” asks Mark. “Well, you definitely can hear everything in Warwick, it’s nice and quiet here and lots of things do happen here, but my wife definitely thinks not. It’s really up to people to experience for themselves. We’re just here to look after this magnificent historic building for the next generation and hopefully preserve her forever.”
Walking through Warwick’s CBD, you’ll easily spot another grand dame, the Criterion Hotel. Built in 1917, the hotel was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992.
Valerie Prentice, one of the hotel’s owners, explains, “I call myself the Spiritual Guardian of the Criterion Hotel, a custodian of the hotel. Back in 1917, Warwick was going to be the financial capital of the Outback, and Mrs Allman, a widow with three sons, invested a substantial amount of money rebuilding the hotel to be one of the most imposing and finest hotels in Queensland.”
“You need to remember this happened at a time when women couldn’t even vote. Being a publican was one of the only ways a woman could have power, it was a way to have status,” says Valerie.
Kate Allman is said to still have quite a presence in the hotel. “The hotel is a beautiful expression of that time, she embraces you, and she’s a rather demanding lady that needs attention and respect. You know when Mrs Allman is happy, and when she is not happy with you. Her presence can mainly be experienced in the kitchen and the Allman Room. People would walk past and see a strong stout woman in a Victorian dress walking to the (original historic) mirror” said Valarie. “I imagine she is quite a formidable woman.“
Southern Downs Mayor, Cr Vic Pennisi further adds, “We certainly have some tales to tell and share. I invite visitors to come and see for themselves, and explore this intriguing, beautiful location just west of the Great Divide, from the rainforests of Queen Mary Falls to our villages and farming lands through to the wine country of the Granite Belt. I encourage visitors to explore ahead of their visit by downloading the free Southern Downs and Granite Belt App from the App Store or Google Play.”
