General News
8 February, 2026
Spend the night with spirits at Evans Hotel Bealiba
Considered one of the most haunted places in Victoria, past owners, former residents and inherited items with haunted handlers all lurk in various places around the old pub.
OWNERS of the Evans Hotel Bealiba, John Maher and JoJo Naughton, have always got company in their bed and breakfast.
There’s always at least 13 occupants.
But not the kind you’d expect.
Considered one of the most haunted places in Victoria, past owners, former residents and inherited items with haunted handlers all lurk in various places around the old pub.
But they’re all friendly, says Mr Maher.
“From what we can tell, they’re all happy if you treat them well,” he said.
“They’re just good fun to have around.”
And while some would think the two had a few screws loose - and they can see how you could think that - they were also non-believers.
“We had heard a few stories when we bought the place, but didn’t think anything of it,” Ms Naughton said.
“Then weird things started happening and we couldn’t explain them away.
“Trust me, we try to dis-prove everything, but there’s some things we just can’t.”
The Evans’ “spooks” have wreaked a lot of havoc across the building and even outside, keeping guests and ghost enthusiasts on their toes.
“We had one woman come out in the morning and we asked how her night was,” Mr Maher said.
“She said she had been woken up by things moving on the walls and we thought that was strange, but then she said electronics in her suitcase came on randomly and she couldn’t get them to turn off.
“And then the stories just kept coming.”
From ghostly faces and hands that can’t be explained, the sounds of horses and carriages up and down the driveway to ‘hellos’ in the middle of the night, the stories were becoming endless.
“People will often see the original owners George Evans and his wife around, a young girl named Elizabeth can walk past occasionally and we even have two little boys who can lock people in the toilets,” Mr Maher said.
“It keeps us entertained, that’s for sure.”
It wasn’t until a paranormal group from Melbourne contacted the couple that they realised how many people were interested in meeting their ghouls.
“We have people and particularly ghost groups coming every couple of weeks to do a tour or even stay for a nice meal that night or for breakfast. Ms Naughton said.
And while the couple is looking to sell to make way for their other ventures, they won’t stop yet.
“We enjoy sharing this experience,” Mr Maher said.
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