LUNA PARK, located in the bayside suburb of St. Kilda on the outskirts of Melbourne was first opened in 1912. The Scenic Railway roller coaster, still in full operation to this day, is classified as the oldest operating roller coaster in the world.

Since opening, the park has been a famous Melbourne Icon. There are not many Victorians or Melbournians who can say that they have never visited the park. Mr Moonface on the entrance, to me, has always looked wicked and frightening but the park has a history of another scary regular who once lurked about inside.

Luna Park now boasts it's very own ghost train, but the train is new and the ghosts are completely fake, however in the early 1900's a joker ghost would appear on occasion and frighten the living daylights out of Park visitors.

The ghost was mischievous to say the least, appearing in the path of oncoming cars on the Scenic Railway and suddenly appearing inside cages of the Ferris Wheel with the horrified patrons. There was some panic caused by the ghost and and at first most visitors suspected the joker was a publicity stunt or prank by the Park. However the park never employed a joker character and denied all knowlege at the time of it's appearance.

The ghost appeared for less than a year and unfortunately has never been reported since.

There is no clue as to why the ghost suddenly appeared out of the blue, and then disappeared just as quickly, or why it appeared as a joker. But the park certainly has enough history to be haunted with the odd ghost here and there, and I'd be surprised if the joker ghost wasn't spied again someday soon!.

Beware when you ride the old Scenic Railway, for the ghost may take it upon itself to stand in front of your car and terrify once again - and be sure to check that person who is seated beside you...............you just never know!

Youngsters have fun at Luna Park on one of the rides