11 Graveyards in Australia You Don't Want To Miss!

Australia has 6,300 cemeteries; of course, it would be impossible to cram a visit into all of them over the course of a year and a bit. Without counting specifically, I think I visited around 30 on my stay here.

Today, we're going to look at some of the most notable, picturesque, and quirky cemeteries that I visited, and one for good luck.

We are starting off strong with my personal favourite cemetery in Australia, Old Ingham Cemetery. Although statistics say that the first recorded burial here was in 1888, Find a Grave shows us that the oldest death date here was in 1808. 

Queensland's Old Ingham Cemetery contains many figures of Irish and Italian heritage. This is where my interest peaked. If you've read my about me page, you will know that my interest in cemeteries started in Monfalcone, Italy, where my mother's side of the family are buried, now including my grandparents who lived most of their lives here in Bradford, UK.

The graves in this Australian cemetery strongly reflected aspects of the Italian cemetery, but it was more contained, and I thoroughly (and emotionally) very much enjoyed my visit.

My trip to this cemetery was inspired by a TV show that I was watching at a hotel in Brisbane. The show focused on the town of Walhalla, and briefly touched on the ghost that haunted the cemetery. "I need to go there", was my instant response. Thankfully this town wasn't far from the route we were taking on our trip, and I am SO grateful that I got to go.

This cemetery has been around since the 1860's, just 10 years after the town itself was founded. But my golly, what a beautiful place this is - as I keep saying, it's like it was taken straight from Switzerland!

I visited Leonora Cemetery after my trip to the Gwalia Ghost Town. Admittedly, I don't know why, but I didn't expect the souls of the Sons of Gwalia Mine to be resting here. That is exactly why this has made it onto my list.

These grounds don't contain any breath-taking monuments, but they do state the cause of death. In some cases, this gives you an insight into that person's life, which I'm all for, as heart-breaking as some of them are.

Situated in Cairns, Queensland is the McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery. Established in 1887, this is known to be the oldest modern cemetery in Cairns, and it has some interesting people in here. Unfortunately, none of them appear to have the surname McLeod. 

One notable grave to visit in this cemetery is that of George Lawson. But first, you will have to pay a visit to Yorkey's Knob - a place that he founded. Sadly, I only noticed Lawson was buried here when I left Cairns. 

A graveyard located in quite easily my most favourite town in Western Australia. I was instantly quite drawn to Fremantle during my 16 months here. One of my first visits granted me a visit to The Roundhouse, and I later toured Fremantle Prison - both very rich in convict history... evidently.

Fremantle has some impressive monuments. Included is a particular entrance that leads to the grave of former AC/DC frontman, Bon Scott. This was the first grave I have ever witnessed that was populated by visitors other than myself. 

Upon first glance, this is just an ordinary church burial ground. However, when you research each grave, you'll soon find that the majority are all connected, one way or another. 

This is the final resting place of the Bussell family. Another fun fact is that St Mary's Anglican church is the oldest stone church in WA - it was first consecrated in 1848.

My visit to West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide, my aim was to find the grave of The Somerton Man - an unknown murder victim. Little did I know (because I never research prior, just after) that this gentleman had recently been exhumed for identity testing. Also, the University of Adelaide say they are absolutely sure that the gentleman has been identified as Carl Webb, 73 years after he was found.

Sadly we got to this cemetery pretty late, so we didn't have much time to look around. However, I recommend visiting this incredible place. 

Bendigo wasn't on my list at all when travelling around Australia. However, would you believe that a toilet break brought us here? Whilst driving there, we drove past Bendigo - so I knew I had to go back here. 

When I paid it a visit, I came across the grave of William Napier, who wasn't only a native of Bingley, my hometown, but he also had a Victorian Cross! It's things like this that remind me why I absolutely love discovering graves. 

When I first visited this place, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. Pinnaroo Cemetery is one of the most unique burial grounds I have ever had the pleasure of experience. This place is HUGE!

At Pinnaroo Cemetery you will find: