A scoundrel, a galleon, a beach shanty and a first mate with a secret. The story so far, chapter by chapter.
The saga
Calico Jack is a scoundrel captain with a galleon, a parrot and a great deal of other people’s gold. Three rooms have told his story; two are still sailing.
Each is a separate room with its own set and puzzles, and they can be played in any order. Fans like to start on the galleon and finish on the island.
Chapter one
Perth CBD · Sydney CBD · Melbourne CBD
The long voyage to the New World was almost over when a galleon flying the Jolly Roger came over the horizon, and your captain ran up the white flag.
Now you are locked below deck on Calico Jack’s ship. The sea fog is thick, his crew is snoring off the grog, and the treasure is sitting unguarded somewhere aboard. Break out, grab what you can and get to a lifeboat before dawn gives you away. Get caught, and it’s the plank.
Chapter two
Northbridge · Perth CBD · Melbourne CBD · Sydney CBD from 6 November 2026
You came to the island for sun, sand and nothing to do, and ended up locked inside a pirate’s beach shanty. It belongs to Calico Jack, and through the bars of the window the Jolly Roger is closing on the reef.
You may have one friend here: Scarface, the scowling first mate who has never liked seeing prisoners stay prisoners. You have one hour to find where the captain hid his treasure and be gone before his boat reaches the sand. Fail, and you stay on the island for good: prisoners in paradise.
Lost chapter
Perth CBD, January to November 2024 · retired
The third part of the trilogy ran at Escape This Perth CBD for most of 2024 and has since been retired. It lives on in the diaries, in the Gazette’s archive and on its own memorial site, deadmanschest.com.au.
The voyage so far
Long ago
Legend has it
According to his log, he took it single-handed. According to Scarface’s journal, Scarface was holding the other hand.
26 December 2021
On the record
The first shanty opened at Escape This Northbridge on Boxing Day 2021, the only adventure in Perth’s horror house.
11 January 2024
On the record
The third part of the trilogy opened at Escape This Perth CBD. It ran until 23 November 2024 and is now retired.
26 January 2024
On the record
Pirates opened at Escape This Perth CBD, under Hay Street Mall.
29 March 2024
On the record
Pirate Island opened at Escape This Perth CBD, so the galleon and the island now share one building.
18 October 2024
On the record
Pirates opened at Escape This Sydney CBD on George Street.
2024
Legend has it
Northbridge crews report a lookout calling “Sail ho!” suspiciously early. Scarface’s journal says nothing about this, which the Crew finds telling.
10 August 2026
On the record
Pirates opened at Escape This Melbourne CBD, 259 Collins Street.
18 September 2026
On the record
Pirate Island followed it to Collins Street a few weeks later.
6 November 2026
On the record
Pirate Island opens at Escape This Sydney CBD.
Opening dates come from Escape This’s booking system. Legends come from the taverns, the Gazette and the diaries, and are only as true as they say.
