Apparitions Ghost Tours operator and paranormal investigator Murray Byfield said the tours, which began last weekend, had booked out in their first week.

He said the tours covered ‘‘history, ghost stories and not-quite-so-happy’’ tales of the town.

‘‘I’ve still got a lot of people who are inquiring about it,’’ Mr Byfield said.

‘‘My first tour was supposed to go for an hour and a half and ran for more than two hours.’’

Mr Byfield, who has searched areas including the former BHP site for the paranormal, said Raymond Terrace’s history as a river port was key to his tours.

But the Masonic Centre on King Street was among the town’s most notable sites, he said, with reports of a woman apparition on the verandah.

In another story, a figure who appeared to Rotary members quenched his thirst.

‘‘People would hear footsteps up the stairway and saw a figure go into the kitchen,’’ Mr Byfield said.

‘‘[A man in the kitchen] said ‘I know you’re here’ and poured a beer, then went downstairs.

‘‘He came back and the beer was gone.’’

The Raymond Terrace tours cost $30 and run on Friday nights.

More information is available at apparitionsghosttours.com.au. apparitionsghosttours.com.au.