You’d think that eight years after the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, fans would’ve moved on from the beloved series. Yet, after all this time, the Potter hype remains very much alive.
In Australia, there is no shortage of magical activities to fuel a Potterhead’s nostalgia. From a North Melbourne Airbnb that looks just like a Gryffindor dorm, to a Potter-themed dance party in Brunswick, to a national Quidditch league with teams like the Sydney City Serpents and the South Melbourne Centaurs. There’s something for everyone!
Most recently, a library in Sydney put up a Harry Potter-themed escape room, where players had to figure out how to bust out of Azkaban. We heard it was so much fun that it got fully booked almost as soon as they opened registration! Sadly, it was up for a limited time only. So this got us thinking – are there other Harry Potter escape rooms out there?
RELATED: Your Harry Potter books could be worth thousands of dollars
What is an escape room?
An escape room is a relatively new concept where groups of friends are “trapped” inside a room for a set time and left to solve a puzzle to escape. What makes it fun is that there’s always a theme. You could be the last human survivors of a zombie apocalypse, special agents on a top-secret mission, or explorers trapped in underground catacombs.
A lot of these rooms can get really scary too! Think of it as an elevated horror house where, instead of just powering through hoards of ghouls and goblins, you’ve got to use your head to plan your escape!
What are the best Harry Potter-themed escape rooms in Australia?
There are quite a few escape rooms around Australia, but only a couple have magical ones. Here are the top two:
Trapt’s Alchemy Rooms
Where: Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Why we recommend it: This escape room harkens back to the first Harry Potter book, as players must “discover the mythical substance and Elixir of Life, the Philosopher’s Stone, before time runs out”. The best part is before you start your adventure you can step into Trapt’s version of the Leaky Cauldron for some butterbeer and other potent potions!
It’s a total blast from the past that’ll put your nostalgia into overdrive!
Price range: $AUD40 per person for two players, $AUD38 for three, $AUD36 for four, and $AUD34 for five to 10 players.
Scram’s The Wizard Chambers
Where: Parramatta, Sydney
Why we recommend it: Your time at The Wizard Chambers begins with a great deal of mischief! According to the website, the story goes that “Your rival house team has hidden your wand and locked you in the dorms” – you’re then left to solve their tricks before time’s up. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to fall for Fred and George’s cheeky pranks, this might be the game for you!
What’s super impressive about this escape room is how the design and decor make you feel you’re trapped in a real Hogwarts common room – no cheap and flimsy furniture here!
Price range: $AUD45 per person for two players, $AUD42 for three to four, $AUD38 for five to six, and $AUD34 for seven to eight players.
Where else can you find a Harry Potter escape room?
Australia isn’t the only country that’s got Harry Potter-themed escape rooms! When you’re travelling abroad, be sure to check these three rooms out:
Department Of Magic
Where: Edinburgh
Why we recommend it: While most escape room establishments will only have one magic-themed room, the Department of Magic houses two separate rooms with unique stories.
Go on the Prophecies Quest and you’ll collect prophecies the Dark Lord has scattered all over the Department of Magic. Complete all prophecies in time and save the world from peril! Meanwhile, at the Mausoleum of the Dead, you’re on the Dark Lord’s side. Here, you’ll find artifacts and cast spells to bring him back to life.
The Department of Magic also has a Magical Potions Tavern where they serve magical ales and potions cocktails, and have free table games for all visitors.
Price range: £GBP40 ($AUD72) for two participants and £GBP70 ($AUD126) for five.
The Wizard’s Secret
Where: Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA
Why we recommend it: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Sirius Black successfully escaped the notoriously impenetrable Azkaban. At The Wizard’s Secret, you must tap into your inner Sirius as you’re tricked into taking a dark wizard’s place in an Azkaban-like prison!
Price range: $USD29 ($AUD43) per person.
Enigma Quest’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Where: London
Why we recommend it: Unlike the other escape rooms on this list where you have to save the world from evil wizards or outwit scheming tricksters, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is exactly how it sounds. The room fulfils every Potterhead’s ultimate fantasy – to experience life as a Hogwarts student. Your goal? Graduate and, of course, learn to defend yourself against the dark arts. Just like Harry!
Price range: £90 ($AUD162) for teams of three, £120 ($AUD216) for teams of four, and £150 ($AUD270) for five players.
RELATED: These 4 Harry Potter-themed rooms by designers are amazing
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
