The Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans
I stayed here one night and almost had the place to myself. I turned up hoping they had a vacancy, which fortunately they had – lots as it turned out! I’m not sure what I would have done if the place was full. Slept in my car by the lake most likely. Having spent the day aimlessly wandering the hills, the bar was the perfect spot to process a few photos over a pint or two of Speight’s. I had the place to myself, apart from a Grandfather and Grandson at the end of the bar happily sharing tales about fish and a lady in the dining room, it was a very quiet night. They certainly didn’t mind me setting up my camera for a photo before the landlady told me about the local ghost.
The story goes that many young ladies came to the Otago gold fields seeking employment in grog tents, bars, and dance halls that sprang up all over the region. At the time, it was thought that a lady could earn a substantial wage on the gold fields, and thus create a better life for themselves. So when a lady called Rose started working in the area as a prostitute near the town of St Bathans, she most likely wasn’t alone. During her time in the area, Rose worked at the dance halls while also renting a room at the Vulcan Hotel at night to see male clients. Having collected a small amount of gold in payment, one night a male client of Rose strangled her, robbed her of her gold and threw her body into the nearby lake.
The killer was never found and to this day the restless ghost of Rose haunts the Vulcan Hotel and particular male gentlemen who stay in the famous Room 1.
I stayed at the Vulcan hotel it was just amazing I was doing some paranormal investigation of the area including the Cemetery which came alive.
I had room 1 ,Now yes My crew and I want for a nite walk ,One member stayed behind and Witnessed a figure move the curtains in room one and he saw a full figure looking out the window.
Now I felt the presence of more than one person walking around the hotel. The breakfast room was very active.
The post office/upstairs has 2 ladies and a child residIng their the child was very playful. zThenhall was alive I spoke to a world war persoNn ,Just amazing The stories are real and it’s a nice place to visit.
when I first arrived my car brokedown at the entrance sign.
When I was about 12, approx 1974, my parents and I stayed at the Vulcan Hotel. I slept in the front room by myself. I became aware of a woman walking around the foot of the bed and up the side of the bed towards me. I don’t remember what happened after that, I think I just went back to sleep. My mother said she never went into my bedroom that night. Apparently I slept in the room where the ghost frequented, so we came to the conclusion that I saw the ghost of St Bathans. It wasn’t a scary experience. We told the publican next morning, and I remember she wasn’t surprised. Mum said she should never have let me sleep in that room by myself!
Great story never stay in room 1 just to be sure !