The world's 14 most mysterious destinations (plus five in Australia)

Sydney Morning Herald

12-06-2025

THE MYSTERY OF JACK THE RIPPER
Where Whitechapel, London, England
The backstory Over the years 1888 and 1889, at least five young women were murdered by an unidentified serial killer who stalked London's impoverished East End. He mostly preyed on sex workers, slitting their throats before mutilating them. A fearful public blasted the police for their 'incompetence' in never catching the killer. So who was he? There've been thousands of likely suspects over the years, but none ever confirmed.
On the trail There are a number of walking tours of Whitechapel, visiting the location of each murder, and speculating about the killer and his victims. There's also a Jack the Ripper Museum on Cable Street.
Make it happen Catch the overground train or one of three Tube lines converging at Whitechapel, and take a tour led by expert authors who've written books on the mystery. See jack-the-ripper-tour.com; visitbritain.com
THE MYSTERY OF THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE
Where North Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico
The backstory Also known as 'The Devil's Triangle', this is an area where about 50 ships, 20 planes and numerous people have vanished, seemingly into thin air. Is there some kind of deadly supernatural force – perhaps even emanating from the lost island of Atlanta, hidden below the water's surface? But analysts argue incidents may have been caused by the frequent tropical storms and hurricanes, and the Gulf Stream.
On the trail Check out the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, which looks at the area's history and scientific explorations, take a Bermudaful Island Tour, or take a twilight cruise around the area, with the guide recounting the triangle's legends.
Make it happen The US, Canada and UK all have direct flights to Bermuda and a number of cruises, such as Royal Caribbean, stop there. See royalcaribbean.com; islandtourcentre.com; gotobermuda.com
THE MYSTERY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT'S BODY
Where Vergina, near Thessaloniki, Greece
The backstory After Alexander the Great died in Babylon in 323 BC, the famed conqueror's body was placed in a coffin of hammered gold and buried by his general Ptolemy near Giza in Egypt. Later, it was moved to Alexandria, but more than 140 scientific expeditions have failed to find it. It's thought it was moved again, but its whereabouts is still unknown, with some experts believing it was reinterred near the tombs of his father, son and half-brother at Vergina, in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Tombs of Macedon in present-day Greece.
On the trail Any search for the body could prove a long exercise, but what more fascinating a place to start than this? The Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina) showcases the other tombs and the artefacts found in them, and offers clues to the burial practices of the time, with the archaeological site also open to the public.
Make it happen Fly to Athens and then fly, catch a train or bus or drive the five and half hours to Thessaloniki, then another train or bus to Vergina, or there are tours from Thessaloniki. See travelersuniverse.com; visitgreece.gr
THE MYSTERY OF WHO KILLED JFK
Where Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas, US
The backstory US president John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in 1963 while in a motorcade alongside his wife Jacqueline, and the assassination has been fuelling conspiracy theories ever since. These include that it was part of an elaborate plot to change US history, involving – variously – the CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, the KGB, the Cubans, the US military … and that the gunman did not act alone. Officially, Lee Harvey Oswald was named as the murderer, and was also shot dead two days later by nightclub operator Jack Ruby.
On the trail There are direct flights to Dallas and once in the city, there are a number of tours visiting the Grassy Knoll in Dealey Plaza, the source of many of the conspiracy theories, the Sixth Floor Museum housed in the former Texas School Book Depository building from where Oswald took his shots, as well as his rooming house, and the John F. Kennedy Memorial.
Where Easter Island/Rapa Nui, south-eastern Pacific Ocean
The backstory The massive stone figures, or Moai, of remote Rapa Nui (a special territory of Chile), carved from volcanic rock, are up to 10 metres tall and weigh more than 80 tonnes, and date from AD 1300. But what do the 1000-odd statues of human heads and torsos mean, who made them, and how were they transported from the quarry to their present position? Ancient legend says the statues themselves walked.
On the trail There are a number of published scientific papers on the island and its population, with theories that they died from the introduction of European diseases, or Polynesian rats eating their food and crops, or as a result of overpopulation.
THE MYSTERY OF THE SHROUD OF TURIN
Where Turin, Italy
The backstory A length of linen cloth bears the faint image of a man who seems to have been crucified, so is believed by many to be Jesus' burial shroud. But is it real or a forgery, or simply coincidence? It's kept in the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Turin and is rarely displayed to the public, but has been subjected to a battery of scientific tests, with any results always disputed. The late Pope Francis visited it in 2015 as a symbol of Christianity, but stopped short of declaring its authenticity.
On the trail The shroud is stored in a bullet-proof, airtight container for its preservation, but visitors can go to the chapel where it's kept and see the photos and replicas at the Museum of the Shroud, a 10-minute walk away. A full-scale digital display is planned for the future.
Make it happen Turin is 670 kilometres north of Rome and you can fly, drive, or catch a bus or train. There are tours to see the shroud's resting place, and visiting the cathedral is free. See somewhere.it; duomoditorino.com/en; italia.it
THE MYSTERY OF THE ISLAND OF THE DOLLS
Where Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
The backstory A creepy place among the canals, famous for the hundreds of dolls hanging from trees all over the island. Some locals believe the place is cursed and haunted, and refuse to visit. Its former owner is said to have discovered a drowned girl and the next day found a doll in the water, so hung it in a tree to ward off evil spirits, then collected and hung all the dolls he could find. He drowned in 2001 – eerily, at the same spot.
On the trail Some visitors report the dolls move, with their eyes following them around, and they whisper to each other. It's therefore important to experience the place, and divine fact from fiction.
Make it happen There are buses and trams for the 30-kilometre journey from Mexico City to Xochimilco, and then there are ferries or gondola-like boats rowed by locals. There are also tours that can be picked up. See isladelasmunecas.com; visit-mexico.mx
THE MYSTERY OF THE GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA
Where Giza, Egypt
The backstory Everyone knows the Great Pyramid – the tallest human-made structure on Earth for nearly 4000 years – but no one knows how on Earth it could have been built in 2560 BC, with such heavy two-tonne blocks being moved to fit so precisely – or what it was for, beyond being the tomb of pharaoh Khufu. Did a tributary of the Nile once flow there? Why is there a recently discovered chamber inside? And where is Khufu's mummy?
On the trail Before you go, check out the online Giza Project with its 3D reconstructions, documentaries such as the NOVA series about the pyramids, and any visiting exhibitions. See digitalhumanities.fas.harvard.edu
Make it happen In Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum first, then either take a tour to Giza, with some led by Egyptologists, or catch a taxi and find a tour guide there. Alternatively, visit Egypt as part of a tour, such as Abercrombie & Kent's The Wonders of Ancient Egypt or Trip-A-Deal's 11-day Unbeatable Egypt. See abercrombiekent.com; egymonuments.gov.eg; visitegypt.com
THE MYSTERY OF THE MARY ROSE
Where Portsmouth, England
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The backstory King Henry VIII's naval flagship, the Mary Rose, sank in 1545 with the loss of around 500 lives. But what caused the catastrophe? Was it a sudden squall that pushed it over, while gunports were open, letting water flood in? Or was it a lucky shot from a French cannon, or being top-heavy from bad loading? Even though it was salvaged in 1982, scientists continue to search for the answers.
On the trail Head for the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth's historic dockyard where the hull and 19,000 Tudor artefacts are on display, along with guided tours and a 4D cinema film. There's also a behind-the-scenes tour available.
Make it happen There are regular trains to Portsmouth from London Waterloo. Book a museum ticket in advance for £36 ($75). See maryrose.org; visitbritain.com
FIVE CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN MYSTERIES TO INVESTIGATE
Lake George, ACT Sometimes this lake, located 40 kilometres north-west of Canberra, is a magnificent body of water, sometimes green farmland, and at others, a parched dust bowl. Many people have died there, leading to legends about it being haunted and being visited by UFOs. Most experts now believe it's a very shallow lake that drains from the bottom and is subject to evaporation from above. See visitlakegeorge.com
The Marree Man, near Marree, South Australia This giant 2.7 kilometre-tall figure of a man holding a boomerang or stick is etched into an outback plateau and was only discovered in 1998. No one knows who did it and why, with theories about aliens, Americans, an eccentric artist, local Aboriginal people and more. The site is closed, but it can be viewed from the air. See aridair.com.au
The Min Min Lights in Boulia, Queensland Ghostly lights, first recorded in 1838, have appeared before numerous drovers, farmers and travellers in the district over the years, and are said to have lured some to their deaths. Are they evil spirits, ghosts, UFOs, or sparks from geophysical elements in the ground, phosphorescence in marshes, or lightning? The Min Min Encounter is an equally weird animatronic show. See outbackqueensland.com.au
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The Sunbury Rings, Sunbury, Melbourne Ancient, 1400-year-old earth rings carved into the countryside were, at first, thought to be the result of some kind of mysterious natural, or supernatural, phenomenon. But now they are believed to be the work of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people to point to secret and sacred ceremonial sites. They can be visited with permission from the local Aboriginal corporation. See wurundjeri.com.au