Wandering Spirits of Wakehurst Parkway

Length of Road
The Wakehurst Parkway runs for 14km (9 miles)
Construction History
Works for the road were approved in 1939, and construction began in earnest. Works were halted in 1942 because of World War 2. Construction recommenced not long after the end of the war and was finished soon after. The road was opened to traffic in March 1946
Origin of Name
The name was given in honour of Lord Wakehurst. Lord Wakehurst was governor of New South Wales from 1937 to 1946, the longest governorship in New South Wales’s history.
Grizzly Tales and Murders
Stephen Dempsey was murdered at Deep Creek in 1994, which is situated just off the Parkway. He was murdered by Richard Leonard who shot him with a compound bow. After Leonard had killed Dempsey, he hid the body in the creek until the evening when he returned and dismembered him. Dempsey’s remains were then taken to Leonard’s house and kept in a freezer. Several months later the remains were dumped in Pittwater

Haunted History
The road is said to be particularly treacherous, with many accidents occurring over the years. Legend has it one of the causes of car crashes in this section of the parkway is a spirit of a young lady known as Kelly. Kelly is seen on the side of the road, but more terrifyingly has been seen in the backseat of passing motorists. If Kelly is not immediately told to leave the car legend, has it that she will take control and steer the car off the road. Kelly has been described as looking like a nun or a bride in her gown. A local filmmaker Bianca Biasi who created the documentary series “The Space Between” and also runs the Wakehurst Parkway Ghost Facebook page and is working on a film about the highway theorised that Kelly could possibly be a worker from the Manly Quarantine Station. The uniforms worn there could very well appear like a wedding dress or a Nuns outfit. Drivers have experienced problems with electrical systems malfunctioning. A nun has reportedly been seen on the parkway. Screams have been heard in sections of the road and bloody figures have also been witnessed walking the road. This is a small selection of sightings on the Parkway – Use the links below to find out more. All information provided is found and researched from online sources. Please contact us if we have provided inaccuracies within the data. Thank You
THIS ROAD IS DANGEROUS. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL EXPLORING AND DRIVING ON THE ROAD. USE COMMON SENSE AND EXTREME CAUTION WHEN VISITING LOCATIONS NEAR OR ON HIGHWAYS.

References & Links:
Bianca Biasi
https://m.facebook.com/Wakehurst-parkway-ghost-1262840577217426/
https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/the-space-between-2020/40722/
Links:
Monument Australia
https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/government—state/display/22998-lord-wakehurst
9 News Australia
https://www.9news.com.au/national/haunted-roads-wakehurst-parkway-sydney-northern-beaches-ghost-kelly-halloween/20144f16-45d4-4f68-b5cd-d8866e4f4723
Daily Mail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9615045/Wakehurst-Parkway-Ghost-hunters-explore-Sydney-highway-locals-say-haunted-slain-hitchhiker.html
Dangerous Road
https://www.dangerousroads.org/australia-and-oceania/australia/4909-wakehurst-parkway.html
Northern Beaches Council
https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/council/news/seven-local-stories-to-give-you-spook-halloween