Strangest Thing, Sci-Fi Escape Room in Hawthorn

Sci-Fi  •  Hawthorn, Melbourne  •  60 minutes  •  2 to 6 players

★★★★★ 4.9 across 2,000+ reviews  •  Instant confirmation  •  Free rescheduling

The story

The monster is coming. It took your friend, and now it is after you. To save your town, you have to hunt it and stop it crossing through the Inside-out. This is no ordinary escape room: it is a race against time, against fear, and against forces beyond your understanding. You have 60 minutes to solve the mystery and stop the rift from expanding.

At a glance

Players: 2 to 6  •  Difficulty: ★★★★☆ (4/5)  •  Time: 60 minutes
Suitable for: Teens and up.

Expect tension, suspense and an eerie atmosphere.

Pricing: $74 per person for 2 players, scaling down to $70 per person for 6. Children aged 9 to 13 are $42 each, with a minimum of one adult per room.

Book Strangest Thing at Hawthorn

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Not ready to lock in the whole group?

Hold your preferred time with a single-player booking ($100 a room), which secures the room while you round up your team. Everyone else pays the difference on the day when you arrive. Booking is instant, and you can reschedule for free up to 2 hours before your start time.

Why book with Rush

  • Melbourne owned and operated. More than a decade building Melbourne's highest-rated escape rooms, every room designed, built and run in-house.
  • A 4.9 star experience. Rated by thousands of players across our venues.
  • Bespoke, never off the shelf. Every room is designed and built by our own team, not bought as a kit.
  • Handmade and authentic. We work with local artists and restore vintage set pieces, so every room feels real and fully immersive.
  • Always being upgraded. Our in-house team is constantly refining the tech, puzzles and sets, so the rooms stay cutting edge.
  • Our delight guarantee. If your experience falls short, tell us and we will make it right.

Planning a birthday or corporate event?

Strangest Thing is one of our more intense rooms. For younger players or a mixed-age birthday, our family-friendly rooms at Hawthorn, The Nine-Nine, are a gentler option. Each room holds up to 6, so larger groups split across rooms at Hawthorn and play at the same time. For corporate team-building and group functions, see our team-building page or email enquiries@rushescapegame.com.au. For birthdays, parties, and hens or bucks nights, see our celebrations page or email the same address. To hold a date, you can book a single player as a deposit.

Good to know before you go

  • No experience or special equipment needed, just your group.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and closed-in shoes.
  • Arrive 10 minutes before your start time.
  • Players under 16 must have a participating adult in the room.
  • You are never locked in and can step out at any time.

Frequently asked questions

Is Strangest Thing actually scary?
It is more spooky and suspenseful than outright terrifying. Strangest Thing is an 80s sci-fi monster hunt in the spirit of Stranger Things, with a tense, eerie atmosphere rather than gore or constant scares.
Are there live actors, or does anything chase us?
No. There are no live actors, and nothing chases or follows you. Every scare comes from the set, the lighting, the sound and the story, never from a person in the room with you.
Will anything touch or grab us?
No. It is a hands-off experience. Nothing in the room makes contact with you, and you never need to touch anything you would rather not.
Can we leave if it gets too much?
Anytime. You are never locked in, the door stays unlocked, and you can step out whenever you like. Your games master watches the whole game and can pause or step in within seconds.
I get claustrophobic. Will I feel trapped?
No. You are never locked in and the exit is always available, so you can step out the moment you want to. If you would rather skip the horror, The Nine-Nine at Hawthorn is a brighter, all-ages room.
Is it suitable for first-timers?
Yes. It is a solid challenge, but no experience is needed and your games master gives hints to keep every team moving.
What is the minimum age?
It is best suited to teens and up. Under-16s are welcome with a participating adult in the room.
How many players do we need?
Two to six. Larger groups can split across rooms at Hawthorn and race head to head.

Getting here & what's nearby

606 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn VIC 3122. We are on the corner of Glenferrie and Oxley.
150 metres from Glenferrie Station, with Tram 16 stopping at our door (Stop 72). There is free two-hour parking just off Oxley Road.
Get directions →  •  Parking nearby →  •  Restaurants & bars nearby →

Glenferrie Road cafes and restaurants are right nearby, with free two-hour parking just off Oxley Road. Questions? Email hawthorn@rushescapegame.com.au or call 03 8590 9729.

More rooms at Hawthorn

HackSawThe Nine-Nine

Other Rush venues across Melbourne

South Yarra: It's Nightmare, Secret Agent Man, Game of the Dragon, HackSaw: Chapter 2, Monsterz, Cluemanji  |  Book South Yarra
St Kilda: Alice in Darkness, The Conjoining, The Black Pearl, The Last of Them  |  Book St Kilda
Chadstone: HackSaw: Remastered, Mission:Possible, Da Vinci Down Under  |  Book Chadstone
 

Something Unnatural is Happening

The monster is coming! It took your friend, and now it’s after you. To save your town, you have to hunt the monster and stop it from crossing through the Inside-out! You’ve chased monsters before but never like this - everything is on the line. You and the gang must work fast to stop the monster from coming through! Work together to fight it, or slowly get taken out one at a time...

friends stick together. 

BOOK NOW →

What Awaits You

This is no ordinary escape room and it’s a race against time, against fear, and against forces beyond your understanding.

A Suspenseful, Immersive Storyline –

Enter a room plagued by bizarre events and uncover the dark truth hidden within.

Challenging Puzzles & Clues –

Test your skills with intricate puzzles that will push your mind to the limit.

A Race Against Time –

You have 60 minutes to solve the mystery and stop the rift from expanding.

Thrills & Mystery –

Experience an atmosphere filled with tension, suspense, and the unknown.

The danger is real, and the countdown has begun. Will you be the ones to stop it, or will you disappear like the rest?

Can You Escape the Unknown?

The rift is expanding, and time is running out. Only the sharpest minds and the bravest souls can uncover the truth and seal the gateway before it’s too late. Do you have what it takes to face the unknown and make it out alive?

Book Now – Face the Unknown

The Rift is Growing – Will You Survive?

The town is in danger, and the clock is ticking. Gather your team, uncover the truth, and stop the mysterious force before it’s too late. Every second counts in this Strangest Thing Escape Room, where reality is bending, and nothing is as it seems. Are you ready for the challenge?
 

CHALLENGE: 4/5

GAMES AT SAME LOCATION (HAWTHORN):

HACKSAW, STRANGEST THING, THE NINE-NINE

GAMES AT THE SOUTH YARRA: 

IT'S NIGHTMARE, HACKSAW CHAPTER 2, MONSTERZ, SECRET AGENT MAN, CLUEMANJI, GAME OF THE DRAGON

GAMES AT ST KILDA:

HE LAST OF THEM, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, THE BLACK PEARL, THE CONJOINING

FAQs

  • Your goal is to investigate unexplained events, uncover hidden clues, and stop a growing force from breaking through before time runs out.

  • Rated 4/5 in difficulty, this Escape Room presents a mix of complex puzzles, logical thinking, and immersive storytelling, making it a challenge for all players.

  • The game is designed for 2-6 players, making it ideal for friends, family, or teams looking to work together in a suspenseful setting.

  • While not a horror experience, the Escape Room creates a tense and unsettling atmosphere with eerie elements, unexpected twists, and moments of suspense.

  • No experience is necessary. The game is designed for both first-time players and experienced Escape Room enthusiasts.

  • You will encounter a range of challenges, including logic-based puzzles, pattern recognition, hidden clues, and problem-solving tasks that require teamwork.

  • This Escape Room focuses on mental challenges rather than physical tasks. However, some light movement may be necessary to interact with objects in the room.

  • Yes, you can exit at any time if necessary. However, the clock will continue running, and re-entry may not be allowed.

  • This Escape Room is recommended for players aged 14 and above. Younger participants may join if accompanied by an adult.

  • You will have 60 minutes to complete the challenge. Arriving on time is important to ensure you get the full experience.

  • Yes, this Escape Room is ideal for birthdays, team-building activities, and group outings. Contact us for special arrangements.

  • If time runs out, the game master will explain the remaining puzzles and how you could have solved them. You can always return for another attempt.