If you have a problem with vampires then you need one of these. Image by Jade Jackson Photography.
is a fantastic new gift shop in Katoomba featuring macabre and curious wares. As you enter, it feels more like a museum, with vintage medical and dental tools, black and white photographs including one of
four-legged woman, Myrtle Corbin and old prosthetics; but from here, it only gets weirder.
You know you're going to see some unusual objects when there's a sign on the door warning you not to be offended or scared.
Look for the skeleton outside Odd Mountain Oddities. Image by Jade Jackson Photography.
Myrtle Corbin who was born a dipygus.
It's the only place I've seen
Amazonian shrunken heads for sale, along with a
Vampire Kill Kit and a framed portrait of
Bill Murray in full military regalia.
The shop's collection is easily comparable to Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum and indeed, (according to their website), the shop is fashioned after the Victorian-era 'Cabinet of Curiosities' which would be used to display historical artefacts amongst religious antiquities.
Amazonian shrunken heads at Odd Mountain Oddities. Image by Jade Jackson Photography.
For the collector of the macabre, there's true crime 'Murderabilia' for sale including a portrait of Emmett Kelley by
John Wayne Gacy who was known as 'The Killer Clown'. There is also a painting by convicted cannibal
Isakin Jonsson amongst other strange artistic offerings, like a recipe found at a crime scene.
If you're after taxidermy animals and other curious artefacts, there's only one place to go-Odd Mountain Oddities. Image by Jade Jackson Photography.
There are taxidermy creatures including bats, rabbits and bizarre man-made fluffy animals with wings. If there's something specific you are wanting, then speak to store owner Meredith who has new stock arriving daily and chances are, she may already be on the lookout for what you are after.
Taxidermy bats at Odd Mountain Oddities. Image by Jade Jackson Photography.
Old medical tools and equipment are for sale at Odd Mountain Oddities. Image by Jade Jackson Photography.
If you have a hankering for speaking to a spirit but are stuck at work, then the
ouija board mouse-pad might be of use or there are full-size wooden Ouija boards as well. If you're a fan of skulls, there's all sorts of collectables ranging from educational to bookends.
Religious paraphenalia at Odd Mountain Oddities. Image by Jade Jackson Photography.
Ouija Board Mouse Pad. Image by Jade Jackson Photography
Amongst the everyday items, you'll find at Odd Mountain Oddities are jewellery, crystals, stationery and books (although there was one on immortality). They also feature artwork by local artists.
When I asked how they came across such an eclectic array of oddities, Meredith said "
we search far and wide, we have a lot of connections overseas and some of the stock comes from deceased estates."
They are in the process of building their online store however in the meantime, if you like them on
Facebook or follow them on
Instagram, they will post photos of new stock arrivals.
If you see something you like, then be sure to buy it as with any rare collection, it may not be easily found again or like the paintings, could be a one-off.
Odd Mountain Oddities features artwork by convicted criminals. Image by Jade Jackson Photography.
Odd Mountain Oddities is at Shop 2, Katoomba Town Centre Arcade, 81-83 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.
There is free parking (1 hour) on Katoomba Street otherwise there is plenty of parking in the Coles or Woolworths car park nearby. Odd Mountain Oddities is a short walk from Katoomba Station and trains run hourly from either Sydney or Lithgow to Katoomba.
Odd Mountain Oddities is a truly unique store where you could easily spend hours browsing all the curious collectables, it's definitely worth checking out.
Odd Mountain Oddities is home to fascinating curios and artefacts. Image by Jade Jackson Photography.
