As a kid growing up in The Riverina, there were few landmarks as fabled as Monte Cristo homestead, aka ‘Australia’s Most Haunted House.’ During guided tours of the property, owners Reg and Olive Ryan would share tales of all the things that had taken place there; a combination of horrific historic stories and spooky paranormal experiences. Days after visiting, I’d find myself jumping at every imagined sound, expecting to see a ghost.
As a kid, I thought the Ryans were pretty cool. Not only had they completely resurrected the grand but dilapidated homestead, they lived with actual ghosts, and didn’t even seem phased by it. Sadly, Reg and Olive Ryan died in 2014 and 2024, respectively. And now, for the first time in 63 years, the house is up for sale. So anyone want to chip in with me to buy it? Just joking, but wouldn’t it be kinda cool?
Take a look inside the Monte Cristo homestead
Image credits: Ray White Junee via realestate.com.au
Who owns the Monte Cristo homestead?
The Ryan family purchased Monte Cristo in 1963 for £1000. It had been unoccupied for over a decade and had fallen into a state of disrepair after years of neglect, vandalism and exposure to the elements. Reg and Olive restored the house themselves. In an interview with Domain, the couple’s son Lawrence, said Reg would often restore the house and its outbuildings late at night after a full day’s work.
Before the Ryans, the home was owned by the Crawleys, a wealthy pioneering family who built the late Victorian homestead in 1885 and remained in residence until Elizabeth Crawley’s death in 1948.
Image credits: Ray White Junee via realestate.com.au
What happened at Monte Cristo homestead?
One of the earliest strange events the Ryans experienced at Monte Cristo occurred when they were driving towards the house at night and noticed light pouring out of the windows and doors. It was highly unusual, especially considering the house wasn’t hooked up to electricity.
Lawrence also explained that he never liked living in the main homestead and after 13 years of age, refused to sleep in the house. “I hated [my] room and had always felt like I was being watched,” he said.
For a more in-depth history of the house, visit The Monte Cristo Documentary website.
BHG’s own spooky Monte Cristo encounter
Better Homes and Gardens’ chief sub-editor Jo McKinnon, lived in Junee as a child. She recalls a similar story her dad often told about the spooky property. While driving home late at night, he looked up at Monte Cristo and saw the house bathed in light – he assumed the Ryans were having a great big party.
Later that week, he bumped into Reg in town and asked ‘How was your party the other night?’ He was shocked when Reg told him there was no party!
Want to live here?
The owners of Monte Cristo homestead are currently accepting expressions of interest. The home is represented by RayWhite Junee and you can view the full listing on realestate.com.au.
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