A guided “extreme terror tour” of the forest where Ivan Milat tortured and killed his victims has been condemned by NSW Premier Mike Baird.
Mr Baird branded the tour – run by a company called Goulburn Ghost Tours – “horrendous” and vowed to halt it immediately as it was operating illegally.
“It’s completely and utterly outrageous. I saw those reports and I couldn’t quite believe it,” he told ABC News.
“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.
“It’s not only in bad taste, it’s just terrible. Horrendous.”
The tour, which has been operating since June, kicks off at 3pm in Goulburn and returns from the forest at around 3am, according to the Goulburn Ghost Tours website.
“Come with us to Belanglo where Ivan Milat buried the bodies of his victims,” the website says.
“Once you enter Belanglo State Forest you may never come out.”
The tour has also been criticised by NSW Victims of Crime Assistance League chief executive officer Robyn Cotterell-Jones, who says things like this make life more difficult for grieving families.
“Every time something like this arises it rips the scars open again,” she told 666 ABC Canberra.
“The idea so soon after his crimes in the Belangalo, and more recent crimes as well, of having people tramping over the sites that are still very special is very concerning to the families.”
