26 Sep 2025

Do you know ghost stories of The Rocks?

The Rocks is Sydney’s historic heart—and it’s haunted. Beneath the cobblestones, laneways, and charming façades, chilling tales from the city’s colonial past linger.
Do you know ghost stories of The Rocks?
From murders and tragic accidents to mysterious deaths and restless spirits, these iconic sites offer a spine-tingling glimpse into the city’s darker history.

Cadman’s Cottage

Today, Cadman’s Cottage is a quaint harbourside spot with stunning views—but its past is far from peaceful. In November 1844, Jean Videll tried to smuggle his murdered boss, Thomas Warne, in a chest to dump at sea. The plan failed when a boatman reported him, and Videll was arrested, leaving the cottage forever marked by its grim history.

Gannon House

Ex-convict Michael Gannon made coffins for a living—and eventually became an undertaker in the rear of Gannon House. Today, the La Renaissance Café occupies the spot where he once tended to the dead, and the building now hosts the Gannon House Gallery. From coffins to contemporary Australian and Indigenous art, the transition is hauntingly intriguing.

Reynold’s Cottages

The Reynolds family endured tragedy inside these historic walls. In 1838, William Reynolds’ son was accidentally shot while pigeon-shooting, leading to an amputation and his eventual death. William Reynolds himself later fell from a ladder and died. Visitors report seeing shadows and sensing lingering spirits, suggesting the family’s pain still echoes through the laneways.

The Old Coroner’s Court

Nicknamed “The Dead House,” 102–104 George Street was Sydney’s hub for unexplained deaths for nearly 120 years. Among its most notorious cases is the 1935 ‘shark arm murder,’ where the arm of police informer Jim Smith was vomited by a tiger shark. Evidence is said to have been hidden in a chimney, while the only witness later turned up dead—cementing the court’s eerie legacy.

The Russell Hotel

Sydney’s most haunted hotel, The Russell has served as a hospital and sailors’ hostel. Its most famous spirit is an unnamed sailor murdered by a woman in Room 8. Staff report ghostly footsteps across creaky floors at night. For thrill-seekers, listening carefully might reveal a spectral presence still haunting the building.
From grisly murders to tragic accidents, The Rocks’ historic buildings are alive with stories that blur history and legend. Whether you stroll its laneways by day or by night, these sites offer a chilling yet fascinating look at Sydney’s haunted past.