First published 12 Nov 2026, 12:51pm
A grand old mansion lying empty and unloved has been crowned the most iconic enchanting listing on realestate.com.au.
Who doesn't love a home that's a little spooky, at least to admire from a distance? It helps if it has a mysterious history, a touch of tatty charm, and plenty of big, dark, empty rooms.
Monte Cristo Homestead, the circa 1885 estate at 1 Homestead Lane, Junee ticks every box, and won the latest realestate.com.au 'iconic listing' social media poll, which asked viewers for the most enchanting and spellbinding home with a touch of spooky mystery.
An old mansion in regional NSW dubbed Australia's most haunted house has been voted the most enchanting home on realestate.com.au. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It stands on a hilltop, looming above the Riverina town and is widely billed as Australia's "most haunted house".
The commanding Victorian-era manor was built by local farmer Christopher William Crawley, who died suddenly from blood poisoning in 1910 — which is when the haunting rumours are said to have begun.
The grand old house is said to have 10 resident ghosts. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
His wife Elizabeth stayed on, and apparently rarely left the house until she died in her 90s in 1933. The last Crawley left in 1948, and the empty house fell prey to vandals, squatters and the ravages of time.
Olive and Reg Ryan bought it in 1963 for £1,000. The home was derelict and bat-infested, and they restored it, though they say they noticed strange goings-on from day one.
Once home to colony of bats, the property proved so spooky that animals refused to enter. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Their cat and dog refused to enter the house, their chickens mysteriously died, and lights would sometimes switch on by themselves.
Nevertheless, the Ryans raised their children at Monte Cristo and opened it up as a museum and tourist attraction, with regular ghost tours.
Guides say about 10 phantoms haunt the house, including former servants, Crawley children, and even Mr and Mrs Crawley themselves.
The property includes a grand ballroom, where ghosts presumably waltz at midnight. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
With Reg and Olive now gone, the iconic Riverina estate is closed and their children are keen to bid farewell, listing the property around a year ago for $1.9m.
Taking on Monte Cristo is a daunting prospect. There are 18 bedrooms, five bathrooms, multiple kitchens, high ornate ceilings, wide verandahs, original fireplaces, a ballroom, two reception halls, and an indoor pool, plus several outbuildings, all spread over 2.47 hectares.
The double-storey property also comes with antique furniture, artworks, a large doll collection plus several lifetimes of paraphernalia.
A spooky doll collection comes with the home. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Agent Jason Barrett of Ray White Junee said it was taking some time to find the right buyer to take on the project.
"It's a lovely grand old building, but there hasn't been a lot of maintenance done, unfortunately. And it is so much more than just a home and a lot of people don't have a use for the ballroom and the stables."
The ghosts, at least, have behaved during inspections.
The property operated as a museum with regular ghost tours. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
"I believe that they must be comfortable in trying to attract the new owners because there's nothing that's been sending a shiver down spines, so to speak," Mr Barrett said.
He says the home offers buyers the chance to create a landmark private family compound, a boutique accommodation venture, a tourism business or a heritage restoration project (subject to approvals).
The runners-up were also an enchanting crew.
With creeping vines, wonky windowframes, peeling wallpaper and deep cracks in its walls, Mandalay at 24 The Strand, Williamstown in Melbourne has been lying empty for years, no doubt creeping out locals.
The property was owned by a series of sea captains. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
This Georgian manor was built in 1858, has been in the same family since 1945, and is now begging for a spectacular renovation. It's listed for $4.3m to $4.73m.
Across the city, the Queen Anne-style home with grand turrets at 139 Park Street, Moonee Ponds occupies an imposing stance from its elevated corner position.
The grand turrets and imposing facade create quite an impression. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
This modern landmark is offered for $3.795m to $3.995m.
The final runner-up was less spooky, more spectacular. The 1883 Heritage-listed Baddow House enjoys almost two acres of land on the banks of the Mary River at 366 Queen Street, Maryborough on Queensland's Fraser Coast.
The sprawling mansion has potential as a wedding venue or accommodation. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
But while the renovated interiors are grand and elegant, the riverfront setting would be very dark and quiet come nightfall.
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