Glen Innes is set to welcome an exciting new addition to its local tourism scene with the opening of The Mystery Rooms escape experience on Thursday, 2 October 2025. Located at 15–19 East Avenue, this state-of-the-art venue promises to bring immersive entertainment and interactive fun to residents and visitors alike.
The idea for The Mystery Rooms emerged from the community’s desire for more engaging activities, highlighted during the development of the Glen Innes Severn Council’s Economic Development Strategy and Destination Management Plan.
With this in mind, Council moved to make the vision a reality, successfully securing $120,000 in funding through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Fund — an initiative of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency delivered by Austrade. The funding was allocated to the successful applicant through a competitive tender process, resulting in a project that has been delivered on time and within budget.
Mayor Margot Davis said the new venue is about more than just entertainment. “Bringing The Mystery Rooms to Glen Innes is about more than just entertainment — it’s about creating educational activities that enrich both our local community and visitors alike. Our priority is to support projects that first address real gaps in what our town offers, ensuring they have meaningful impact for residents,” Cr Davis said.
She also highlighted the potential for tourism growth. “At the same time, these experiences provide compelling reasons for tourists to choose Glen Innes, encouraging them not just to visit once, but to return and explore more of what we have to offer,” she added.
The Mystery Rooms features two immersive escape experiences: a Jungle Adventure and a Jurassic-themed challenge. Both rooms are designed to engage participants in problem-solving, creative thinking, and teamwork. The experiences cater to a wide audience, making them ideal for families, friends, and corporate groups seeking unique team-building opportunities.
“Our biggest challenge was finding the right location, which is why we ended up with an industrial shed,” said Thomas Hudson, Director of the Mystery Rooms.
“But we’ve worked really closely with Margot [Davis] since COVID to make sure this would work for the community and we’re really excited to see it come to life.”
Drawing inspiration from escape rooms in Melbourne, Geelong, and international hotspots like Las Vegas, London, and Paris, the venue incorporates cutting-edge technology and world-class design. Each experience is meticulously crafted to transport participants into a fully realised world where every puzzle, clue, and challenge contributes to the sense of adventure.
“It’s such an immersive experience,” said Mr Hudson.
“Both rooms we have in Glen Innes will be adventure-based quests where you need to look for clues and complete creative thinking challenges.”
“Generally, we say the experience is best suited for ages 10+ but the groups we find that do the best are ones that have lots of diversity in ages, careers and life experiences.”
For locals, The Mystery Rooms offers an exciting new option for school holiday activities, birthday parties, or a fun night out. For tourists, it strengthens Glen Innes’ reputation as a destination that combines natural beauty with engaging attractions, giving visitors even more reasons to explore the town and its surrounds.
With its doors opening just in time for the upcoming school holidays, The Mystery Rooms is expected to become a must-visit experience in the New England region. Whether you’re a puzzle enthusiast, a family looking for an interactive outing, or a group of friends seeking a challenge, Glen Innes’ newest attraction is ready to put your wits to the test.
For more information and bookings, visit The Mystery Rooms Glen Innes.
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