Haunted house

A lot of fun, SCARY! Knew what it was going so go in with an open mind to be scared and engage in the experience to get the most out of it.Definitely would not go back a 2nd time to be stressed for the whole session though!! (Session lasts about 15 mins)Photo/video package offered at the end as a separate product for $30 (digital copy)

Very disappointing. $30 ticket, the tour was on full volume and still too quiet so you couldn't hear it. Half the rooms and areas were closed off and fenced off for repairs. So basically only saw half of the prison. Not worth the visit.

If your a fan of horror films or want a good scare, then I’d highly recommend the Fear Factory. There are some really memorable moments. It’s pitch black in there, and the actors and effects create an authentic scary atmosphere. The whole experience takes around 20 - 25 minutes. The staff at the front desk are great too!.

10/10 - a great experience! A really good value for money, fun activity ... which will get your heart racing and deliver plenty of jumps and laughs! Did this activity with friends before dinner and it certainly provided us with plenty to chat about and discuss for the next few hours. The photo package was worth the money and we're glad we stopped by and took the leap of faith" or "bit the bullet" - it is scary in parts but also exciting and a lot of fun!"

I enjoyed the historical authenticity of the prison but the way that the tours are structured needs improvement - as far as I can tell, the audio recordings date back to 2008. Another board sits on the garage outside with reviews dating back to 2011. Large areas of the prison are closed off as well making some parts of the tour inaccessible.The escape rooms seem like they'll breathe some life into the prison which will help with restoring the rest of the place, but for now it all feels a bit disjointed and in need of innovation.

Location of West Auckland ‘legend’ “The Haunted House”. A concrete house built in 1912 by Tom and Samuel Hall (relatives who owned the land) known as “Sylvan Heights”. Many photos exist at Auckland Library, Swanson Heritage and online with Swanson Heritage noting only the chimney stack remains at 1014-1016 Scenic Drive, Auckland after a major collapse of the house in the 1980s. Many locals remember the ruin well with many photos taken in the 1950s…some showing tourist buses at the nearby tearooms (DeVines and later Cassels at 1012 Scenic Drive). On a Facebook page by Timespanner a relative of family who lived at Sylvan Heights suggests there was a fire in the house that resulted in the death of a boy and that a book exists that details that historical event. Photos do however, not show a burnt ruin. Another poster suggests only happy memories. There is a story of young Gilbert Hall (son of Tom or Samuel) at 14yrs old taking a horse and cart with building materials from Mt Albert to the build site and then enlisting young in WW1 and being killed. Some note Samuel Hall also lost his life in WW1 and Sylvan Heights was abandoned by 1924. Whether that was due to the death in WW1 of Gilbert, Samuel or both or simply due to not gaining income from the property is unknown. Certainly by 1926 when the tearoom opened the house was abandoned. Locals certainly know of this location due to the ruin. Many photos are filed as “The Haunted House”,Swanson.

Hello, just reading the reviews on this website, and wanted to add some information. Samuel Hall (who built the concrete house, with his brother in law Tom Hill) was my great great grandfather and Gilbert Hall was his son. Samuel didn't die in the war, he died in 1931 (born 1851 in Ireland) in Mt Albert, Auckland after the family left the house in 1924. There is a book The Empty Concrete House on Scenic Drive" written by Ben Copedo that gives a lot more information about my family and the house. It may still be available from the West Auckland Historical Society."

Saw this on the TV (Heritage Rescue) and looked an interesting place to visit while on holiday. We hired two different audio guides and shared. I did get a little monotonous, so stick with just the one 'tour'. Lots of history and the escape room looked like it could be fun (maybe next time). A few of the old signs (we saw on the TV show) had been put back up and as these were designed for kids not sure if that was a good or bad thing (not sure I'd take a young child to it as could be quite scary ). However the history was amazing and I think if it (or you just did that) stuck to that and the ghost / spooky side it would be a much better place. It certainly did have a edge to the feel and think a night tour which just adults would be 'interesting'

Very creepy & interesting. Did the historical ghost tour, could not even go into some of the spaces. The staff kindly let us in just before closing.

Great fun. Very scary!I would love for Gergo to come here and see him have a minor heart attack!