The Luna Park Ghost Train Fire: Sydney’s Most Tragic Mystery
The 1979 Ghost Train fire remains one of the most significant events in the history of Luna Park Sydney. On the night of 9 June 1979, fire tore through the popular ride, killing seven people. In the decades since, the tragedy has moved from news headline to one of Sydney's most enduring mysteries and ghost stories. It's one of the stories in our guide Supernatural Sydney.
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What Happened: The Investigation and Evidence
The fire broke out at around 10pm while the ride was in full operation. Despite investigations over the years, several questions remain unanswered.
- The cause: The 1979 coroner's inquest found the cause couldn't be conclusively stated, though the most probable explanation was litter set alight by a cigarette or match discarded by a rider. In 2021, the ABC investigation Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire alleged the fire was deliberately lit, reigniting calls for a new inquest. NSW Police completed a review of the case in 2024. That lack of closure keeps the fire at the centre of Sydney's ghost stories.
- The victims: The fire claimed the lives of John Godson and his two sons, Damien and Craig, as well as four students from Waverley College: Jonathan Billings, Richard Carroll, Michael Johnson and Seamus Rahilly.
The Masked Figure Photograph
One of the most discussed pieces of evidence is a photograph taken earlier that evening. It shows young Damien Godson beside an unidentified man wearing a horned, ritualistic-looking mask, who had asked to pose with him before the ride. It's believed to be the last photo taken of Damien alive.
- Identification: The man in the mask has never been identified.
- Why it lingers: In Sydney's haunted history, this image is endlessly analysed by people drawn to the overlap between tragedy and unexplained coincidence.
Is Luna Park Haunted? Reported Paranormal Activity
After the tragedy and the later redevelopment of the park, staff and visitors have reported unexplained experiences near the site of the former ride.
- Sounds and smells: Claims of the scent of smoke in the air during the winter months, and muffled sounds of activity when the park is closed to the public.
- Atmosphere: Visitors near the memorials often describe a distinct change in the air, from a sudden drop in temperature to a localised sense of heaviness.
The Site Today and the Memorials
Luna Park still operates at 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point.
- The memorials: A plaque listing the victims' names is on the outside wall of the Big Top Sydney, and bronze sculptures in neighbouring Art Barton Park, including one by Michael Leunig, are dedicated to those who died. They're places for quiet reflection, so please treat them that way.
- Remember the families: This is a real tragedy that families and the Waverley College community still live with. Visit respectfully, and keep ghost-hunting out of the memorial spaces.
- Researching the event: For the administrative and legal history of the fire, the State Library of New South Wales holds extensive newspaper archives and government records from 1979.
Luna Park Ghost Train Fire FAQs
When was the Luna Park Ghost Train fire?
The fire broke out at around 10pm on 9 June 1979, while the Ghost Train at Luna Park Sydney was running.
How many people died in the Ghost Train fire?
Seven people died: John Godson and his sons Damien and Craig, and Waverley College students Jonathan Billings, Richard Carroll, Michael Johnson and Seamus Rahilly.
What caused the Luna Park fire?
It has never been conclusively established. The 1979 inquest pointed to a discarded cigarette or match as the most probable cause, while the 2021 ABC investigation Exposed alleged the fire was deliberately lit.
Is there a memorial to the Ghost Train fire victims?
Yes. A plaque with the victims' names is on the Big Top Sydney's outside wall, and memorial sculptures stand in Art Barton Park next to Luna Park.
More Haunted Places Near Luna Park
The Supernatural Sydney guide covers the history behind Sydney's most prominent urban mysteries. Across the harbour, try these:
