Adelaide Arcade

Take the free Adelaide Arcade History Tour

Explore an intriguing slice of South Australia’s history with a free self-guided history tour of the Adelaide Arcade. You’ll learn not only of the Adelaide Arcade’s architecture, design, and purpose, but you’ll also discover stories of a bygone era and learn about its journey from 1885 to the present day.

To get the full experience, we highly recommend a visit to Adelaide Arcade, where you can follow the tour with a printed brochure or follow along with the audio-visual tour on your mobile device.

Start the Self Guided History Tour here .

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Adelaide Arcade 112/118 Grenfell Street, Adelaide South Australia 5000

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Adelaide Arcade, [B7496], 1886, State Library of South Australia

Adelaide Arcade Guided History Tours

Discover the rich history and grandeur of Adelaide Arcade through a guided tour that takes you on a journey from its inception in 1885 to the present day. Immerse yourself in this iconic landmark’s architecture, design, and purpose, and hear fascinating stories of a bygone era that add to its charm.

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Adelaide Arcade

At a glance.

Adelaide Arcade was opened in 1885 and was hailed as the most modern shopping precinct in the Southern Hemisphere. With its prominent position between Grenfell Street and Rundle Street (subsequently Rundle Mall) it has continued to be a popular shopping hub to this day.

Construction

The early 1880s were a time of economic boom in South Australia, and the area around Rundle Street was established as the commercial hub of Adelaide. As such, when the adjacent properties of Mr Gay’s Furniture Warehouse and Barker’s and Chamber’s Horse Bazaar burned down in 1884, the owners decided to replace them with a grand new shopping arcade in the most modern style. 

The building was designed by Latham Withall and Alfred Wells, contemporaneously with their celebrated design of the Jubilee Exhibition Building. The Arcade’s most prominent features are the domes at each entrance. These domes are decorated with an unusual version of the Australian Coat of Arms. While an official coat of arms was not adopted by Australia until 1908, almost 25 years after the construction of Adelaide Arcade, multiple competitions had been held by that point to design one. The designers of the Arcade chose the example that they thought was most likely to win, but did not in fact manage to guess correctly. While the Arcade’s Arms bears a great resemblance to the eventual national design, the kangaroo and emu are actually on opposite sides. 

The Arcade’s foundation stone was laid on 6 May 1885 by Adelaide Mayor William Bundey. Even at this early point, there was an acknowledgement that Adelaide was falling on hard times, as the Mayor expressed his hope that the construction of this new retail locale was a sign of imminent economic revitalisation. 

In August 1885, it was announced that the Arcade would be extended to the east in the form of Gay’s Arcade. This new arcade was designed by James Cumming, a prominent Adelaide architect, in an Italianate style. While theoretically a separate building, it has in practice been subsumed into Adelaide Arcade for shopping purposes. Claims that the entire structure would be completed by 1 December were ridiculed by the public. While this lofty target was indeed missed, it was only by less than two weeks. Contemporary writers marvelled that this deadline was only overshot by the unfortunate delay of a shipment of lamps. 

On 12 December 1885, Adelaide Arcade was officially opened in a ceremony led by Governor Sir William Robinson. Rundle Street was closed to traffic and was crowded with the public hoping to get a view of the ceremony. The police presence was strong, as there were fears that unemployed men might start a riot. These fears seemed briefly founded when the crowds loudly booed the arrival of the Governor, but they calmed down once he was inside. The ceremony was relatively informal, and is remembered today mainly for its performance of the Adelaide Arcade Polka, a musical piece composed specifically for this day by Signore Raphael Squarise. This song can be heard today at the on-site museum of the Arcade. Speeches given at the time were optimistic that the successful construction of the Arcade represented an bright economic future for South Australia. The Governor was once again booed upon his exit from the ceremony, leading one newspaper to decry that ‘[i]t is rarely that South Australian assemblages show such bad taste’. Upon the ending of the ceremony, thousands of members of the public thronged through the Arcade, marvelling at the modern wonder of electric lighting.

The Arcade itself comprised 50 shops, each with an upper level workshop accessible by an interior staircase. The building was made of 2 million bricks, as well as 50,000 panes of glass so large that they needed to be specially made and shipped from London. The Arcade was one of Adelaide’s first buildings to utilise electric lighting; the electricity was generated by a large engine held in one of the storerooms. Sixteen lamps along the central corridor lit the entire Arcade. The floor was tiled with Carrera marble. The highlight of the building was the Turkish baths, set in the south-eastern corner. Designed with Orientalist luxury in mind, a ‘normal’ warm bath cost one shilling, while a full Turkish bath cost four. The initial estimate of the cost of the construction of the Arcade was £30,000. In reality, though, the final cost was closer to £60,000. 

Operation of the Arcade

Irrespective of the Governor’s or anyone else’s wishes, Adelaide Arcade did not solve Adelaide’s economic woes. The proprietors of the Arcade struggled so significantly to find tenants for their new storefronts that they resorted to offering a full year’s lease rent-free. This ploy seems to have worked, as the Arcade has been in consistent occupation since then. 

One of the most notorious events in the Arcade’s history occurred shortly after its opening. The Arcade Beadle (a caretaker) Francis Cluney was popular with the storekeepers and shoppers of the Arcade. He was known for his military dress and manner, having fought for the British Empire in the Crimean War. On 21 June 1887, at about 8.15pm, the lights suddenly went out. Upon investigation of the engine room, Cluney’s mangled body was found stuck in the machinery. Contemporary news reports were very graphic in their descriptions of the event, and this tragedy has stuck in the public consciousness.

Over the decades, Adelaide Arcade slowly lost prominence as the pre-eminent shopping centre of Adelaide. It nevertheless continued regular operations until 1935, when significant renovations were undertaken after a transfer of ownership of the complex. The new owners, Alfred Netter and Alexander Solomon, sought to boost sales through a modern overhaul of the building. Grand plans were made for aquariums, milk bars and ‘penny in the slot machines’, though in practice the main change was a remodelling of storefronts, an upgrade to the lighting, and the installation of telephone boxes. This visual overhaul was apparently very successful, and the somewhat flagging fortune of Adelaide Arcade was revitalised.

There was another, more fundamental, overhaul to the stores in 1968. An interior walkway was added on the second floor, and the number of shops was thereby doubled from 50 to 100. The interior staircases were removed from each store, and the former workshops were remade into separate shops themselves. In 1970, the original marble tiles had become worn down and were replaced.

In 1976, Adelaide Arcade enjoyed the boon of the creation of Rundle Mall, outside the Rundle Mall end of the Arcade a fountain was installed and during the launch celebrations was filled with champagne, enjoyed by Premier Don Dunstan. In 1980, however, tragedy struck. A fire caught hold in Gay’s Arcade and subsequently spread to the main section of Adelaide Arcade. Gay’s Arcade was completely gutted, and Adelaide Arcade suffered over $2 million in damage. Nobody was injured in the blaze, though in the course of evacuating a pet store ‘[a] detective was bitten by a reluctant parrot and a police sergeant was kicked by a kangaroo in the operation. These were the only injuries reported in the blaze’. The entire arcade was closed for trading for a week. Shortly after this unfortunate event, the heritage of Adelaide Arcade was safeguarded through its inscription on the Register of the National Estate. 

Apart from its shops, the building often known to the public through its association with the paranormal. It is claimed to be Adelaide’s most haunted building, with up to five resident ghosts, and ghost tours are a popular way to explore its history. The most famous supposed spirit is that of Beadle Cluney, no doubt due to the tragic and grisly manner of his death. The other popular haunting figures are Sydney Kennedy Byron and his mother Bridget. In 1902 Sydney died at age 3 while sleeping in his home, one of the Arcade stores, most likely of gas inhalation. Bridget claimed that he must have turned on the gas himself, but she was accused of murder. After a sensational trial in which it was determined that it could not be known who turned on the gas, she was allowed to go free. Nevertheless, she ended her own life later that year after enduring months of vilification by the Adelaide public. Both Sydney and Bridget are popular with psychics and mediums who visit the Arcade. Regardless of these grisly associations, Adelaide Arcade remains a popular shopping destination as Adelaide’s only remaining 19th century shopping arcade.

By Alexander Parsons, History Trust of South Australia

Alexander Parsons, History Trust of South Australia, ‘Adelaide Arcade’, SA History Hub, History Trust of South Australia, https://sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au/places/adelaide-arcade, accessed 4 June 2024.

Catherine Manning's picture

Hi Patricia, I'm afraid that's one I don't know. It might be possible to find the business in one of the directories held by the State Library of South Australia with a little more digging - https://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/c.php?g=410329&p=2794474

Patricia waite's picture

During the 60s near shop 9 there was a ladies clothing shop with a stairway to a machinist room upstairs, can you tell me the name the business that was there.

Add your comment

Adelaide Arcade , ‘ History ’, accessed 12 July 2018.

The History of Adelaide Arcade, (Adelaide: Adelaide Arcade, 199?).

Jensen, Elfrida and Rolf Jensen, Colonial Architecture in South Australia , (Adelaide: Fine Arts Press, 1980).

Killalea, Debra,  news.com.au , ' Adelaide Arcade 'Haunted' by Caretaker Ghost Francis Cluney ', 23 June 2014, accessed 12 July 2018.

Marsden, Susan, Paul Stark and Patricia Sumerling, Heritage of the City of Adelaide: An Illustrated Guide , (Adelaide: Corporation of the City of Adelaide, 1990).

Timotheou, Stephanie, adelaidenow.com.au,  ' History Festival unleashes Adelaide Arcade's Dark Past ', 24 April 2018, accessed 12 July 2018.

Adelaide Observer , ‘ Opening of the Adelaide Arcade ’, 19 December 1885, p33. 

The Advertiser , ‘ Adelaide Arcade to be Modernised ,’ 30 April 1935, p18. 

Evening Journal , ‘ The Adelaide Arcade ,’ 7 May 1885, p3. 

Evening Journal , ‘ Fatal Accident at the Arcade ,’ 22 June 1887, p3. 

News , ‘ Big Transformation Wrought at Adelaide Arcade ’, 10 July 1935, p6. 

The Register , ‘ Sale of the Adelaide Arcade ,’ 13 December 1919, p8. 

South Australian Register , ‘ The Adelaide Arcade ’, 30 April 1885, p6. 

South Australian Register , ‘ The Adelaide Arcade ’, 11 December 1885, p7. 

South Australian Register , ‘ Mr P. Gay’s New Arcade ,’ 14 August 1885, p5. 

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adelaide arcade history tour

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adelaide arcade history tour

Adelaide Arcade

Things to do adelaide , adelaide , south australia.

Beneath its stunning architecture, Adelaide Arcade offers a unique retail experience where quality and personalised service is second nature.

Enjoy the ambience of our heritage-listed building and escape the ordinary. Discover luxury brands, specialist services, and premium products from local retailers and artisan vendors. Indulge in delicious treats, exquisite jewellery and bespoke offerings.

Explore the vibrant history of Adelaide Arcade, which was built in 1885. Immerse yourself in the fascinating past of this iconic location by taking the free self-guided history tour and visiting the on-site museum.

Located in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD, opposite the fountain in Rundle Mall.

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adelaide arcade history tour

Adelaide Arcade Ghost Tour

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Adelaide Arcade Ghost Tour - Adelaide Arcade Ghost Tour

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Is the Arcade really haunted? Many who work and visit there, claim it is! Come on an Adelaide Arcade Ghost Tour and explore those ghost stories for yourself… after dark!

Why would the Adelaide Arcade be haunted? How about three terrible deaths since it opened in 1885. As the oldest shopping Arcade in Australia, it certainly has seen it’s share of tragedy.

1887: Francis Cluney, the caretaker of the Arcade met with a tragic and horrific accident. 1902: Death from gas inhalation of a small boy. Was it an accident, or was he murdered by his mother? 1904: A young lady, shot in the back by her husband. Her husband felt the end of a rope in the Adelaide Gaol.

Join Haunted Horizons and hear about the dark side of this beautiful shopping complex.

  • 2-hour ghost tour

Adelaide Arcade, Rundle Mall Entrance (by the fountain), Adelaide City, South Australia.

Please check the booking page or tour operator's website for dates.

There are currently no dates listed for this experience. Please make an enquiry by pressing the Send email button above.

Minimum age is 15.

No alcohol allowed. Anyone under the influence will not be allowed on the tour and no refund will be given.

The tour is mostly undercover.

  • Sensible flat, enclosed footwear
  • Water bottle in hot weather

This is a walking/standing tour, with very little chance to sit. Not recommended for those with walking difficulties.

There are also some stairs to negotiate. Unfortunately not all areas are wheelchair accessible.

Tickets are non-refundable.

This is a shopping centre in the middle of the city. The lights of the venue will be on, until we get to the Tea Rooms. It can also be noisy at times due to its location.

There are no public toilets at the Adelaide Arcade.

Adelaide Zoo 4-Hour Ghost Tour/Ghost Hunt

All prices, availability and tour and product information are subject to change without notification, and while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the prices, availability and tour and product information displayed on this website they are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Ghost Tour Bookings is not a provider of tours, experiences or products and has no responsibility for any tours, experiences or products provided or not provided by the tour operator, supplier or any other party. The tour operators and suppliers provide services and products directly to customers.

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Adelaide's Haunted Horizons

Haunted Adelaide Arcade – Murder, Tragedy & Ghosts!

Haunted adelaide arcade.

Adelaide Arcade Ghost Tours - Haunted Horizons

INVESTIGATION BY HAUNTED HORIZONS

“i am sorry, i don’t believe in such things.  but i can tell you now the adelaide arcade is haunted…” ~ paul, who worked in the adelaide arcade at night.

At Haunted Horizons we are very lucky to be able to carry out tours at some of the most fascinating and interesting buildings in Adelaide.  But there can’t be a more stunning building than The very haunted Adelaide Arcade.  If the walls of this shopping complex could talk, not only would it be buzzing with all the daily goings-on there, but also tales of murder, accidents and a variety of ghostly activity.

On the 12 th of December 1885, Adelaide Arcade was officially opened.  Now you would think that with it being not only the first shopping arcade in Adelaide but the oldest shopping arcade in Australia, that there would be a lot of ‘pomp and circumstance’ involved.  But no, it was a relatively quiet affair, apart from the massive crowds outside wanting to see the event unfold.  There were concerns at the time that some unemployed men would spoil the opening but, apart from a bit of booing at Governor Sir William Robinson who lead the ceremony, it all passed peacefully.  It did, however, have its own piece of music composed for the occasion ‘The Adelaide Arcade Grand Polka,’ which can still be heard being played on the piano accordion in the Arcade’s museum today.

The 1880s was a boom era for South Australia and the Arcade really shows off this moment in time.  This opulent building took 200 men only 5 months to build.  It contains marble from Kapunda, floor tiles from the UK, over 2 million bricks, 50,000 square feet of imported glass and some absolutely beautiful plaster and metalwork (most of which unfortunately goes unnoticed today).   It originally had 3 fountains down the middle of the walkway and even a Turkish bath in the South-Eastern corner.  The cost of the baths was: 1 shilling for a warm bath; and 4 shillings for a Turkish bath and Mondays were ladies only.

Originally the shopping arcade consisted of approximately 50 shops on the ground floor, with accommodation or workspace on the top floor, accessed by a beautiful internal staircase.  In 1968 most of these staircases were removed and a balcony added to the top floor.  Now the Arcade has around 100 shops for Adelaide’s eager shoppers to explore.

Adelaide Arcade shops each had a gaslight outside of their shops, but the building was famous for being one of the first buildings in Adelaide to have electric light which was run by a huge generator.  The lights were the responsibility of a gentleman called Henry Hardcourt.

Haunted Adelaide Arcade - Haunted Horizons

Former occupants and hauntings

Francis Cluney

The haunted Adelaide Arcade has seen more than its fair share of tragedies, starting with a gentleman called Francis Cluney who was the Beadle or caretaker there.   Unfortunately, he lost his life in a horrific accident only two years after the building opened.  He was left in charge of the electric lights whilst the gentleman who should have been in charge, Henry Hardcourt, went off to ‘moonlight’ elsewhere.  The lights began to flicker and Francis went to see what the problem was, shortly after the lights went out.  The reason the lights weren’t working was that Francis’ body was now wedged firmly in the machinery.  It is rumoured by psychics that he was pushed to his death by some ‘larrikins’ who had earlier threatened to put the light out, but there is no supporting evidence.   In fact, evidence from the inquest states the contrary and that he died from a tragic accident after clothing got caught up in the machinery. He died instantly with horrific injuries to his body, all of which were reported in the newspapers at the time.

Francis’ presence has been noted often, especially by new residents, a bit of a ‘welcome to the Arcade’.  He has been known to knock things over in shops, interfere with electrical items and even appear as a full-bodied apparition, wearing the long coat he was renowned for!  Francis may still be diligently carrying out his duties to this day and just letting everyone know that he is still around.

Thomas Horton

Although  Thomas Horton was not a resident at the Arcade, he did contribute to more tragedy there.  Thomas Horton was a bootmaker by trade and also a talented juggler.  He had recently married a young lady called Florence (Florrie), but things were not going well for them.   Thomas was a jealous and violent man and Florence could take no more so eventually left him. Only three months after their wedding, he shot and killed his now estranged wife whilst in Arcade Lane, which ran between Adelaide and Regent Arcades.  She was taken to a nearby shop but had already passed away.  After initially running away and presumed dead, Thomas was caught a few days later up in the Adelaide Hills and taken to the Adelaide Gaol.

At his trial for Florrie’s murder, his mother stated that as a child, Thomas had fallen 13 feet out of a tree, suffering severe head injuries.  She thought this could be the reason why he acted the way he did.  But the most damning thing for Thomas at his trial was a letter written by his deceased wife and stating that if anything should happen to her, it would be by the hand of her husband, Thomas.   It told of her unhappy life with Thomas and about the beatings and accusations.  Thomas was found guilty of Florrie’s murder and sentenced to hang by the neck until dead at the Adelaide Gaol.  His body remains there to this day, a final punishment.

Sydney Kennedy Byron

Another sad tale to be told is about Bridget Kennedy Byron who shared a shop at the Arcade with her husband, Professor Kennedy.  She was a fortune teller and palmist and he was a phrenologist. They had marital issues and he left her for another, taking with him their toddler son Sydney.  Devastated, Bridget hired a private investigator and eventually, her son was returned.  But then tragedy struck which resulted in Sydney sadly losing his life, with Bridget initially being blamed.

Gas could be smelt in the Arcade and it was traced to Bridget’s shop.  Inside they found little Sydney, life extinct, and his mother unconscious.   Bridget was arrested for his murder and taken to the Adelaide Gaol.  At her trial, it was found that there was not enough evidence and it was thrown out of court.  Things didn’t end well for Bridget as she turned to drink and, a few months later, she was found dead in the West Parklands; she’d been poisoned.  Who poisoned her?  We may never know.  Mother and child are buried together at West Terrace Cemetery although their final resting place bares only Sydney’s name.

It has been rumoured that female ghosts or spirits walk the floors of the Arcade which have been picked up on by psychics and mediums, but we haven’t had a verifiable sighting reported to date and in our many official investigations there, have had no response from a female.

There have been reports of tenants hearing children running around the Arcade at strange hours of the day and night, no children can be found!  One is possibly little Sydney, the other is unknown …. as yet!

Happenings on our tours and investigations

Haunted Adelaide Arcade

The upstairs storeroom can have guests feeling very uneasy as footsteps can sometimes be heard behind them, along with heavy breathing or sighing (all of which we have managed to catch on video!)  Our Paranormal equipment has lit up when asked, we’ve had relevant answers to our questions come from various devices!

The Tea Room is a very dark and creepy place to be.  Originally called ‘The Tea and Coffee Salon’, the beautiful but eerie staircase is still the focus of the room and the fact that it seemingly leads to nowhere adds to the atmosphere.  During tours, we have had reports of guests being touched, a tug on their coat sleeve, and a hand grabbed, as though by a child.  Figures have been seen as darker than the dark.  Our investigations have also experienced equipment going off on cue, the Paranormal Musical Box playing overtime, and we have even captured the voice of a child on our digital recorder and possibly confirming that Bridget Kennedy Byron was innocent!

It’s not just in these areas where activity has been reported!  The upstairs staff toilets have a cubicle that few will enter.  Francis Clooney has been seen in numerous parts of the building, day and night, looking into shop windows and watching shoppers from the balcony above.  Children have been heard running around the haunted Adelaide Arcade in the early hours of the morning!

Our tours at the beautiful Arcade are always accompanied by security guards and they love to share their personal experiences with the tour group.  Hearing first-hand from someone who has experienced the activity just adds to the atmosphere of the building.  Tenants, workmen and cleaners tell us their ‘paranormal’ stories and we, in turn, share these stories with our guests.

My aim for this tour is to not only tell the history and hauntings of this building but to encourage guests to visit the Arcade during the day; to sit and have a coffee at one of the cafes and then wander through the shops.   Visit the museum, take in the beautiful surroundings and admire the architecture.  Look around …. you never know who may be looking back at you!

To hear more about the very haunted Adelaide Arcade, why not book one of our fortnightly tours.   We also have 3-hour paranormal investigations at the Arcade.

Written by Kag Allwood Lead Investigator/Guide at Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons

Kag has extensively researched the Adelaide Arcade for many years and now is the lead guide, conducting The Ghost & Dark History Tours there.

Kag Allwood - Blogger Haunted Horizons

For more information on our tours at Adelaide Arcade Dates and bookings – Book now

For more information on the Adelaide Arcade visit their website – https://adelaidearcade.com.au/

Copyright – Adelaide Haunted Horizons 2019

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Ghosts of the Adelaide Arcade

History of Adelaide Arcade

Adelaide Arcade is Australia’s oldest shopping arcade, being built in 1885. It originally held 50 stores and today is home to more than 100. Residing in Rundle Mall right in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD, the arcade is part of the city’s premier shopping destination.

The Haunted Adelaide Arcade at night.

Adelaide Arcade is a beautiful, inviting building greeting shoppers with a coat of arms but concealing a dark and devastating past. The arcade has seen an abnormal amount of death for a shopping destination throughout the years and not all of those who lost their lives within the arcade have been able to cross over.

Adelaide Arcade is haunted.

The Haunted Adelaide Arcade

Not only is Adelaide Arcade Australia’s oldest shopping arcade, it is also its most haunted. Three known deaths within the arcade have resulted in three alleged hauntings.

Bottom floor of Adelaide Arcade.

The first and most gruesome death occurred in 1887. The then care taker of the arcade, Francis Cluney, died in somewhat mysterious and tragic circumstances. Francis’ body was brutally mangled by machinery in the engine room, which powered the then rare electric lighting within Adelaide Arcade. The cause behind Francis’ death has remained a mystery. Some believe that his death was accidental, caused by slipping over on the floor, while others believe Francis may have been murdered by a group of teens he’d had an altercation with shortly before his death.

Adelaide Arcade's coat of arms.

Local newspapers picked up the story of Francis Cluney’s death only to sensationalize and report gruesome details of the incident. Below is an excerpt from one of these local newspapers:

Top floor of Adelaide Arcade.

Francis is thought to still walk the halls of Adelaide Arcade despite his horrific death. His ghost has been sighted by multiple security guards and store staff on numerous occasions, unexplained footsteps have been heard and what is thought to be an apparition of Francis’s ghost has even been documented on security camera footage . Those who work in the arcade’s dry cleaning store, formerly the place where the generator that killed Francis sat, have stated that daily paranormal events occur within their store.

The Underground Tea Rooms of the Adelaide Arcade

Yet another death, surrounded in mystery occurred within the arcade. Similarly to Francis Cluney it is unknown if this death was accidental or the result of a murder. In 1902 the toddler of a young couple who lived within the arcade fell victim to asphyxiation from coal gas poisoning. Sydney Byron was just 3 years old when he died within the arcade. Sydney’s death was ruled accidental and his mother was found innocent of smothering him, only to die herself months later.

Strange blue mist in haunted Adelaide Arcade.

The ghost of a young child, believed to be that of Sydney has been sighted by people within Adelaide Arcade. He will usually appear and then disappear quickly after. Children have also been heard eerily playing inside the empty shopping mall.

Adelaide Arcade bridge.

The final ghost haunting the Adelaide Arcade is thought to belong to Florence Horton. She was murdered by her husband in 1904. Thomas Horton shot Florence several times in the back just in front of the Adelaide Arcade. The injured woman was carried inside to die of blood loss within shop 50 of the arcade, where she is thought to haunt to this day. Thomas Horton was later executed at the Old Adelaide Gaol .

Visiting the Adelaide Arcade at Night

Visiting the Adelaide Arcade

In the heart of South Australia’s best shopping destination, sits the beautifully elegant Adelaide Arcade . The building is home to many great stores and it is popular amongst shoppers, who are generally unaware of the dark history the arcade holds.

Adelaide Arcade museum.

Just off of Adelaide Arcade’s interior sits Gay’s Arcade, which features a free two story museum sharing the history of the building. Be sure to look out for the newspaper clipping which details Francis Cluney’s death on display. To explore the building’s paranormal history more in depth, night time ghost tours are offered through Haunted Horizons . These give a history of the building’s relationship with death and talk about the resident ghosts in depth. It also takes visitors into the arcades normally closed off underground tea rooms, said to be very haunted.

If you’re interested in other haunted places in Adelaide you can take a ghost tour of, check out my blog on Z Ward .

Thanks for reading!

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adelaide arcade history tour

Amy is a world traveller and explorer of creepy locations. She has visited some of the most famously haunted places around the world in search of evidence of the paranormal. Follow Amy's Journey:

Comments (4)

As a resident of Adelaide, I often come into the city and the Adelaide Arcade. After visiting at night a few times, I have always felt weird walking around in the Arcade and it definitely feels haunted. One time I thought that someone was behind me as it felt like someone was behind me, but nobody was around me which felt really weird. I read your blog post about the adelaide gaol and it sounds interesting, I have been there before and it definitely felt haunted, there was a weird feeling going inside it. There is also a bell there that I heard ringing, but weirdly there was nobody around that building and it wasn’t windy at all. I just discovered your blog posts today and will check out as many as I can, Adelaide is quite underrated for haunting experiences so it is great that you are writing and visiting about Adelaide!

That is so true – Adelaide really is underrated. It has so many amazing haunted locations rich in history. I’m very lucky to be an Adelaide girl myself, loving the local haunts.

is there a way to still get down there? I called the Arcade Manager who said they had no problem with me entering so there has to still be an entrance right?

Only on a tour – you should check out the ghost tours by Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons. They take you down there.

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Charly Bliss Will Hit the Road But Not Before ‘Calling You Out’

  • By Tomás Mier

Charly Bliss is ready to hit the road. On Thursday, the Eva Hendricks-fronted band announced that it will be going on tour later this year to support their album Forever , out Aug. 16. The group also released the video for their track, “Calling You Out.”

The video sees the group performing the song from a rooftop, as the group’s members perform into a fisheye lens, referencing the Beastie Boys’ “ Shake Your Rump ” video.

The group will hit the road on Sept. 5 in D.C. before making their way across the United States and Canada, stopping in Chicago, Saint Paul, Los Angeles, Austin, and Nashville.

The group announced their new album at the beginning of this month, teasing it with the saxophone-solo-featuring power ballad “Nineteen.”

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Charly Bliss 2024 Tour

Sept. 5 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club Sept. 6 – Cambridge, MA @ Royale Sept. 9 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg Sept. 11 – Toronto, Ontario @ Adelaide Hall Sept. 12 – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Blind Pig Sept. 13 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge Sept. 14 – Cudahy, WI @ X-Ray Arcade Sept. 17 – Saint Paul, MN @ Turf Club Sept. 18 – St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House Sept. 20 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater Sept. 23 – Portland, OR @ Mission Theater Sept. 24 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile Sept. 26 – San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club Sept. 29 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex Sept. 30 – Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room Oct. 1 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge Oct. 4 – Austin, TX @ Parish Oct. 5 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada Oct. 7 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Hell) Oct. 08 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In Oct. 10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts

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COMMENTS

  1. Take the free Adelaide Arcade History Tour

    Explore an intriguing slice of South Australia's history with a free self-guided history tour of the Adelaide Arcade. You'll learn not only of the Adelaide Arcade's architecture, design, and purpose, but you'll also discover stories of a bygone era and learn about its journey from 1885 to the present day.

  2. Adelaide Arcade Guided History Tours Tickets, Adelaide Arcade, Adelaide

    Discover the rich history and grandeur of Adelaide Arcade through a guided tour that takes you on a journey from its inception in 1885 to the present day. Immerse yourself in this iconic landmark's architecture, design, and purpose, and hear fascinating stories of a bygone era that add to its charm.

  3. Adelaide Arcade Tour

    The Adelaide Arcade tour, commences and concludes at the corner of Adelaide Arcade and Rundle Mall. The tour looks at a number of murders, preventable and tragic deaths through the streets of Adelaide, including Pirie Street, Gawler Place, King William Street and Rundle Mall. The tour goes for approximately 70 - 80 minutes.

  4. Adelaide Arcade History Tour

    Adelaide Arcade History Tour. Activities + Tours , History. Adelaide Arcade. Adelaide SA 5000. When Adelaide Arcade was first opened in 1885, it was hailed as the most modern shopping precinct in the Southern Hemisphere. Despite modifications, renovations and even a fire, Adelaide Arcade and adjoining Gay's Arcade remain true to their original ...

  5. Adelaide Arcade Guided History Tours

    Discover the rich history and grandeur of Adelaide Arcade through a guided tour that takes you on a journey from its inception in 1885 to the present day. Immerse yourself in this iconic landmark's architecture, design, and purpose, and hear fascinating stories of a bygone era that add to its charm. Presented by Adelaide Arcade.

  6. Adelaide Arcade History Tour Promo Video

    Adelaide Arcade has a free self-guided tour so that you can discover and explore the history of the iconic Adelaide Arcade.The tour will take you back to 188...

  7. Adelaide Arcade History

    Adelaide Arcade was opened in 1885 and was hailed as the most modern shopping precinct in the Southern Hemisphere. With its prominent position between Grenfe...

  8. Adelaide Arcade History Tour

    History Stories - Despite modifications, renovations and even a fire, Adelaide Arcade and adjoining Gay's Arcade remain true to their original ambience and style to this day and are rich with history and stories of yesteryear — including ones of multiple ghosts who call the Arcades home. The best part is that you can enjoy this self-guided history tour either in the Arcade or from the ...

  9. Adelaide Arcade

    Explore the vibrant history of Adelaide Arcade, which was built in 1885. Immerse yourself in the fascinating past of this iconic location by taking the free self-guided history tour and visiting the on-site museum.

  10. Adelaide Arcade

    Adelaide Arcade was opened in 1885 and was hailed as the most modern shopping precinct in the Southern Hemisphere. With its prominent position between Grenfell Street and Rundle Street (subsequently Rundle Mall) it has continued to be a popular shopping hub to this day. Construction The early 1880s ..

  11. Adelaide Arcade

    Explore the vibrant history of Adelaide Arcade, which was built in 1885. Immerse yourself in the fascinating past of this iconic location by taking the free self-guided history tour and visiting the on-site museum.

  12. Adelaide Arcade Ghost Tour

    Come on an Adelaide Arcade Ghost Tour and explore those ghost stories for yourself… after dark! Why would the Adelaide Arcade be haunted? How about three terrible deaths since it opened in 1885. As the oldest shopping Arcade in Australia, it certainly has seen it's share of tragedy. 1887: Francis Cluney, the caretaker of the Arcade met with ...

  13. Adelaide Arcade Archives

    Take a ghost tour of Australia's oldest and most haunted arcade. Bath in her history and learn of past residents, still there today! Take an exclusive visit under the arcade into the blackness of the creepy and very haunted tearoom!

  14. Rundle Mall • History

    The iconic Adelaide Arcade boasts its very own museum, showcasing its colourful and extensive history.

  15. Home

    Some of the stories about murders within Adelaide include the story of one of Adelaide's serial killers who was hung at the Adelaide Goal after committing five murders, the world-famous juggler who killed his wife at Adelaide Arcade, and the murder of a Police Inspector at Government House.

  16. Adelaide Arcade Ghost Tour

    Adelaide Haunted Horizons were the official investigators of the Adelaide Arcade. We have over 30 years of experience, researching the paranormal and the history of South Australia. We have the real stories, the major research, the video/audio and, you will see this too when on our tour.

  17. Adelaide Arcade, Adelaide

    Adelaide Arcade: Our most recommended tours and activities. 1. Adelaide: City Highlights Walking Tour with Guide. A must-do when visiting the South Australian capital, Welcome To Adelaide is the only walking tour of its kind in the city. This tour provides an orientation of Adelaide's main streets and key landmarks across a breezy 90 minutes.

  18. Haunted Adelaide Arcade

    Haunted Adelaide Arcade; her deaths, her tragedies and her ghosts. Find out why the oldest shopping arcade in Australia would also be the most haunted!

  19. Adelaide Arcade is Australia's Oldest and Most Haunted Shopping Arcade

    Three deaths within Adelaide Arcade have created three ghosts. Making Australia's oldest shopping arcade, also its most haunted.

  20. Charly Bliss Announces 2024 Tour: See the Dates

    Charly Bliss have announced the dates for their upcoming tour and dropped the new single "Calling You Out."