Australia just got another big spider – and it lives in Kambah. Photo: Sophie Jenkins.
Looking for places to stock up on lollies this Friday? Or just a poor night’s sleep?
It turns out there is no shortage of Canberrans who have scarified their houses for Halloween this year.
Here, we’ve compiled the top five you won’t want to miss. Or maybe you will. That depends on how much you like jump scares. And enormous inflatable spiders.
1 Samson Place, Kambah
Yep, we weren’t lying. Sophie Jenkins has legitimately pumped up a 10-metre-wide spider she ordered from China last year.
You can read our previous story on her efforts here, but she describes this year’s as “one of the biggest displays you’ll see in Canberra for sure”.
“Lots has changed on the property since last year so you can expect a big display,” she says.
Yikes. Photo: Sophie Jenkins.
“I have lots of new additions, themes and landscapes – as well as some old favourites who have returned. I have decked out the entire house, inside and out!”
The front garden is open all week for general viewing, while the full-house walkthrough is a one-day-only event, on Halloween itself. The public is invited to one of two sessions, from 6 am to 9 am and 2 pm to 11 pm on 31 October.
“Last year we made 470 lolly bags and ran out within the first hour,” she says.
“So this year we spent two full days preparing 3050 hand-made ‘trick or treat’ bags! First in best dressed!”
Halloween House decorations, Wanniassa. Photo: Halloween House.
Osmand Street, Wanniassa
Every year, Wanniasssa’s Connie and Ian Warburton concoct a different theme for their “Halloween House”, from pirates to a haunted forest. This year, it’s leaning into the haunted house aesthetic – think characters that look like they might come from either The Conjuring or Friday Nights at Freddy’s.
“This year we have a yard display, haunted house walkthrough, slime station with prizes, and a Halloween maze,” their Facebook page reads.
The property is open for visitors from on 31 October, from 4:30 pm to 10 pm, and then all next week from 1 to 7 November, 6 pm to 9:30 pm.
Halloween house, Page. Photo: Halloween and Trick or Treat Canberra ACT Group, Facebook.
Earl Place, Page
This one, located in the Birchgrove Complex in Page, is described as a “child-friendly display”, and with ample treats.
“The majority of my display is activated by sound or movement. I will also have inflatables out. There is a mummy that will crawl towards you if you lift its arms up and drop them (it has crawled down our driveway before).”
You’ve been warned!
ACT Labor MLAs Caitlin Tough and Taimus Werner-Gibbings with Harriett and mother Melissa. Photo: Caitlin Tough, Facebook
‘Witch’s Lair’, Tarlton Place, Bonython
There’s a heartwarming story behind the “witch, ghouls, lanterns, ghosts, scarecrow, spiders, skeletons, and huge black cat”.
It’s the home of Bonython Primary School student Harriett, who was diagnosed as a baby with the first combined case in Australia of Prader-Willi Syndrome and Cystic Fibrosis.
Countless medications, therapies and surgeries followed, but the conditions still “impact almost every part of Harriett’s body and wellbeing, and her opportunities for participation in activities most parents and kids take for granted,” according to local ACT Labor member and advocate Caitlin Tough.
Harriett was diagnosed as a baby with the first combined case in Australia of Prader-Willi Syndrome and Cystic Fibrosis. Photo: Bonython Primary Parents and Citizens Association, Facebook.
“Harriett and her family were 2022 Make a Wish recipients – travelling to Queensland to a butterfly sanctuary to fulfil a dream of seeing a Ulysses butterfly … Harriett lights up when she talks about the experience,” Ms Tough wrote on Facebook.
Accordingly, the family’s Halloween decorations this year raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help other critically ill children across Australia.
It’s open from 5 pm, Friday.
Halloween house, Condor. Photo: Halloween and Trick or Treat Canberra ACT Group, Facebook.
Templestowe Avenue, Condor
A pumpkin patch, swamp, spiders, a spooky walk and “Poppa the clown” are all the horrors this house on the ACT’s south promise.
“Our spooky walk through may not be suitable for everyone, so please consider this before you enter, as there will be animatronics, flashing lights, a fog machine, and it can be very loud,” the owners note.
Open to visitors from 4 pm on 31 October, with lolly bags, “non-food treat bags” and dog treats available too. Donations via QR codes go to Red Nose Australia.
Surely we’ve missed some. Put your recommendations in the comments so others know where to find them!
Visit the Halloween Houses website or the Halloween and Trick or Treat Canberra ACT Group Facebook group for other locations.
