A costumed character referred to as the 'Headless Horseman' is seen at the start of the haunted trail known as the 'Horseman's Hollow' on the grounds of the historic Philipsburg Manor in celebration of Halloween in Sleepy Hollow, New York October 25, 2013
IN PHOTO: A costumed character referred to as the 'Headless Horseman' is seen at the start of the haunted trail known as the 'Horseman's Hollow' on the grounds of the historic Philipsburg Manor in celebration of Halloween in Sleepy Hollow, New York October 25, 2013. Sleepy Hollow, located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River about 30 miles (48 km) north of Midtown Manhattan, is best known to many through American author Washington Irving's story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Picture taken October 25, 2013. Reuters/Adrees Latif

An Australian firm has been forced to cancel its ghost tours of a New South Wales forest , where notorious serial killer Ivan Milat buried his seven victims. This followed protests from the families of victims and warning by authorities that action will be taken for breaking the rules on guided tours and choosing such a bizarre destination for the tour.

According to reports, Goulburn Ghost Tours has been taking groups to Belanglo, 120km south-west of Sydney on guided tours since June. Milat is in jail for the serial murder of seven backpackers - two Britishers, three Germans and two Australians in 1996. He buried their bodies in Belanglo, and that was also the site, where a teenager related to Milat, killed his friend in 2010. Public outcry and protests from the victims’ families erupted soon after reports of the ghost tour became public.

No Licence

NSW Premier Mike Baird expressed shock and said it is not only in “bad taste, it's just terrible. I couldn't quite believe it. For them to operate in the state forest they would require a permit. I have been advised they haven't yet sought a permit but if they do, they won't be getting one, and if they operate illegally they will face the full force of the law.” Some members of the NSW Victims of Crime Assistance League also said the tour is an insult and disrespect to the victims and their families.

Since late June, Goulburn Ghost Tours has been running the tours through the forest. The tour starts at 6 pm in Goulburn and the return from the forest is about 3 am. The tour offers a spooky experience and has been explained in the website of the tour company. It says, "come with us to Belanglo where Ivan Milat buried the bodies of his victims. Once you enter Belanglo State Forest you may never come out." The website also claims the tour can offer "paranormal equipment and training", snacks and billy tea.

Spooky Experience

A cached version of the website advises visitors that they would visit Milat's "old stomping ground", and is "most terrifying of locations", and use "paranormal techniques" to solve a murder. "Are you ready to turn grey overnight? Do you love to be frightened? Would you like to solve a crime? Then the GGT Extreme Terror Tour is for you”, it boasts. However, Louise Edwards of Goulburn Ghost Tours claimed that her company has been running the tours "with great respect". She told a media person that “we are not there to promote a terrible tragedy.... We wanted to make sure it was sensitive. We really don't want to upset anyone.”

(For feedback/comments, contact the writer at k.kumar@ibtimes.com.au)

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