About three years ago, the Stroud Historical Society starting talking about running ghost tours as a way of boosting tourism in the region.

According to society secretary, Pauline Ibbetson, the idea didn’t go very far, as the group thought they would have to run the tours themselves, using volunteers.

It was during some recent work with the University of Newcastle that it was suggested the society contact the director of Newcastle Ghost Tours, Renata Daniel to discuss options.

Since making that contact, the idea has been given a new breath of life.

At this stage, the society is looking to run four tours a year with the assistance of Renata, covering off on places like Quambi Schoolhouse and the Courthouse, St. John's Church graveyard and Silo Hill.

Renata has been doing a bit of research into the history of Stroud, learning about a woman who raised her children in Quambi without sewage or electricity and the unsolved double murder from 1878. 

They have also been asking members of the community to share any ghost stories they know from around town. The hope is the more they do the tours the more stories they will uncover.

Works are underway to get details finalised with MidCoast Council with a plan to start up the tours in the new year.

Renata has been running ghost tours for around eight years and has her own following.

She said the people who come on the tours are always looking for new places to explore.

If you know of any ghost stories about Stroud, feel free to contact the Stroud Historical Society at stroudhistoricalsociety@gmail.com and let them know about it.