maitland gaol tours prices

Maitland Gaol tour: chasing ghosts in a notorious prison

Maitland Gaol closed in 1998, but is now open to the public as a museum. Read more about visiting and what you should expect to see or experience during a Maitland Gaol tour.

“It was here in the C-Wing that notorious prisoners Ivan Milat and George Savvas plotted to escape in 1997. Their attempt was thwarted and the two, separated. George Savvas was found dead , twenty four hours after what would have been the day of their escape… in the very cell you stand in now.”

. .. …

I looked around the cell block, nervously. I was alone in the C-Wing, the last cell block constructed at Maitland Gaol. Doors were routinely slamming behind me as I walked through the wing. Was it the wind? Or something else…?

I think it was fair to say I was officially freaked out. And as I was currently standing in Australia’s most notorious prison, with the evidence of prisoner’s past still on display on every wall and around each corner, I had every right to feel this way.

This post forms part of my guide to the Hunter region of NSW. See things to do in Lake Macquarie and the best beaches in Newcastle . And here’s some suggestions of wonderful weekend getaways in New South Wales .

What to expect on a Maitland Gaol tour

Well, what can I tell you about Maitland gAOL? Apart from the fact that the building it is possibly/probably haunted, which can be rather thrilling if you’re into that sort of thing.

It’s certainly a top thing to do in Maitland . If you’re spending any sort of time in the Lower Hunter, you should sign up for Maitland Gaol tour.

Maitland Gaol history

The Gaol first opened its doors to unwilling occupants on 31 December, 1848 (making it pretty much ancient in colonial Australian terms). At the time it consisted of merely what is now known as the “A Wing”.

Everything started off hunky dory, with the male prisoners being housed in the ground floor cells and women contained in the floor above them.

They were grouped together at first, although the cells were soon turned into single units.

This was done under the theory that criminals would repent and find salvation, if left alone with only their thoughts for company. Of course.

Women were removed from the gaol in the 1950s, when it became male only territory. As the years went by, it got overcrowded, holding more prisoners than it could possibly cope with.

These tiny single cells could see three people housed in them at one time.

Part of the reason that it closed in 1998, was because it was an 1840s gaol trying to meet 1990s conditions… a feat which would prove to be impossible.

Life at Maitland Gaol

You could get a better insight into what life was like in prison from taking a Maitland Gaol tour, than from let’s say, binge-watching Orange is the New Black .

There was a code of conduct between prisoners – you could be a murderer, a thief, or a thug and you’d probably find some sort of acceptance within the gaol.

Those who hurt children or animals were considered to be completely intolerant to other criminals and often had to be kept in isolation, for fear of their safety.

Maitland Gaol was the setting for 16 executions, before Australia abolished capital punishment forever (federally in 1973, although Queensland kicked things off in 1922 and New South Wales, dragging their feet, didn’t completely abolish it until 1985).

The last execution in Maitland took place on 21 May 1897, when Charles Hines was hanged for raping his step daughter, despite protesting his innocence all the way to the gallows.

Australia has been forward thinking in some ways, not so much in others. Homosexuality was illegal in the state of New South Wales until 1984, although the last prisoner flogged for homosexuality was in 1905.

Overall, it was not a fun place to be, as you might imagine. Prisoners were miserable. Wardens were miserable and quite a few escapes were made over the years.

Escapes at Maitland Gaol

Maitland Gaol achieved some notoriety for some of these escapes, particularly those plotted by high profile criminals.

In 1977, Raymond John Denning and six other prisoners made their escape through an air vent in the showers.

How did they do this? They lured the supervising officer out of the block and cut off the grills of the vent, before climbing through.

The group stood out like sore thumbs as they ran across Maitland and were seized and hurled back inside.

Just one of the many things you’ll hear about on a Maitland Gaol tour.

Twenty years later, another attempt was made by the aforementioned Backpacker Killer Ivan Milat and George Savvas in May, 1997. The attempt was thwarted by staff and the two, separated.

Savvas was housed in C-Wing and found dead the day after he and Milat would have attempted their escape, with the coroner ruling his death a suicide.

Milat was transferred out of Maitland, to continue serving out his life sentence in Goulbourn (a town known for its giant Merino Big Thing ).

Taking a Maitland Gaol tour

These days, the gaol exists as a museum, one that visitors to the area have the opportunity to tour for themselves.

Self guided tours are available every day of the week – 9am–4pm Monday to Friday and 10am–4pm on weekends (make sure you get in before 3pm).

These cost $19 a pop, at the time of writing. You’re given a map and your own guide and are free to wander around the gaol to your heart’s content.

You start at the visitor’s room and continue through the C, B, and A blocks, then onto the kitchen, the hospital, the chapel and the industry centre.

It’s an easy way to get a solid overview of the history and impact of Maitland Gaol on its inmates, staff and the surrounding community.

There are a bunch of other tours on offer, for those wanting to get a little more out of the experience.

Ex-Wardens offer tours by day, or night for people who are far less wimpy than I am. It’s a chance to hear first hand, the harrowing stories of those who experienced the worst aspects of the gaol. Tickets are $28 for adults and $22 for children for day tours – tack another $5 on the ticket price and BYO torch for a night time tour.

There are a bunch of other specialised tours, including the Psychic Experience , where you’ll hear some ghost tales and possibly be lucky enough to get your palm read at the end.

Fancy yourself a Ghostbuster? Maybe the Ghosthunting 101 Tour is for you.

There have been spooky sightings at the gaol, so you may be lucky (or unlucky) enough to experience one yourself.

There’s plenty of other tours and experiences to choose from .

Getting to Maitland Gaol

The Gaol is a highlight of the Hunter region, a perfect little detour for those who perhaps plan on visiting the nearby wine region. It’s a two hour drive from Sydney and only half an hour from Newcastle , so worth considered if you’re making a trip to Australia’s neatest coastal city.

Should you do a Maitland Gaol tour?

Maitland gaol is a top dark tourism destination in Australia and definitely worth visiting.

I’ve been through a few ex-gaols in Oz (as a visitor, not a ‘guest’!) and this is one of the best.

Definitely put it on your list of things to do in the Lower Hunter, whether you live here or are just passing through.

For more, check out this article on creepy Australian urban legends and discover the most haunted places to visit in Melbourne .

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All prices are in Australian dollars.

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27 Comments

Oh, this is a very spooky place! An interesting blog to read, thank you.

No worries!

It was very resourceful turning this unused gaol into a tourist attraction. I can outright say that I wouldn’t want to spend a night here!

I’m not too keen, either!

What an interesting blog! Sounds a little bit scary! Not sure if I would stay a night here! Lol. Keep up the great content! 🙂

Haha dunno if I would, either.

An interesting place for a visit! We always travel with the kids and I’m wondering what they would think about this place??!!

It would be a great way to introduce the legal system! We always read about things before we go so the kids will have a greater understanding of the things we see during an adventure!

There are always stacks of kids at the gaol and it’s well catered to suit them (particularly the interactive tours). Kids are so fearless, I suppose because they don’t think, they just do!

Also the jolly nice and free Maitland gallery is just round the corner too!

With their delicious golden lattes – yum, yum!

This sounds amazing. I’m kind of obsessed with serial killers (in a totally non-creepy way!) so staying here overnight would be like a dream come true for me. Can I also just take a moment to say that homosexuality has been legal in Old South Wales since 1967 AND you can get married these days. OSW 1 – 0 NSW 😉

The psychology of them is really interesting and there were some real creeps housed at Maitland. Yeah, we’re so far behind, in so many ways these days. Fun factoid – the Australian crest has an emu and kangaroo on it, because neither animal can move backwards and our federation fathers wanted it to be a country intent on “moving forwards”. I’m sure they’re turning in their graves.

I’m from Adelaide & while i know of Ivan Milat and George Savvas of course, I didn’t know anything about Maitland Gaol. How fascinating & that’s interesting that you can visit on a tour as well or even stay for the night?! I will have to think about at least 1 of those options!

Yeah they’ve done well with making it accessible for everyone of different ages and… well levels of nerve, haha.

Very spooky! I bet there are some serious conspiracy theories behind his death…? II’m probably on the East Coast (well, I am now… but further north I guess) in February.. I will have to check this out!…… but not for a night tour. No. No way. 😉

I’m sure there were – it’s all very suspect! It’s worth coming to Newcastle if you’re heading east side and the Gaol isn’t too far away from it.

What a cool place to visit. That would be interesting to be able to stay the night there. I haven’t seen a place like that before.

I’m sure there’s a few of them littered around the world!

What a creepy experience it must have been! Sounds very interesting, though. I didn’t know that same sex marriage is still not legal in Australia…I hope they change that soon 🙂

Yeah me too, I’m really ashamed of that fact. That and our stupidly slow internet puts us very far behind other developed countries.

I’ve never heard of this before, but it sounds so creepy! Like omg…you had me at the opening line. Cool to hear a bit of the history surrounding this site!

Super creepy! I nearly peed my pants.

I t looks so modern to say it was built in 1848!! I have visited a few prisons in the past so if I was in the area I would visit this one. It would be interesting to get a tour from an old prison guard, am sure they would have lots of stories to tell!!

Ah, the first block was built in the 1840s and other blocks added after, but conditions were apparently pretty rough even in the 1990s… fantastic piece of local history. I’d love to go to one of those tours, too!

This was in interesting read…I can read posts on jails…but I dont like to go on a tour that takes me there. It makes me feel depressed. I saw on in Bolivia, but again, only from the outside. Thanks for sharing the interesting stories here.

I have never visited an ex prison before but I can see why the place was terrifying. If you choose to spend the night there do you actually sleep in the same cells? Alone? I guess it would be an interesting trip for a ghost hunting experience.

You book as a group and sleep in an entire wing together. Had a chance to do it when I was 17, but didn’t… slight regret now!

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Maitland Gaol

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Maitland Gaol - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Sat - Sun 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
• (0.35 km) The Old Victoria
• (0.47 km) The Windsor Castle Hotel
• (0.52 km) East Maitland Apartments
• (0.64 km) Red Lion Inn
• (0.95 km) Best Western Endeavour Motel
• (0.00 km) Bread and Water
• (0.19 km) Hermitage Inn
• (0.35 km) Duke's Restaurant & Bar
• (0.31 km) Hunter River Hotel Restaurant
• (0.61 km) Teale Cafe and Catering

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Maitland Gaol

Maitland, New South Wales, Australia

Maitland Gaol was Australia’s longest continuously operating prison and now operates as a museum and tourist attraction.

Antara Bate

24 nov 2020.

About Maitland Gaol

Maitland Gaol in New South Wales was Australia’s longest continuously operating prison before being closed and reinvented as a museum and tourist attraction.

First opened in 1848, Maitland was finally shut in 1998 as part of a general upgrade to Australia’s prison system.

Maitland Gaol history

For almost 150 years Maitland Gaol kept some of Australia’s most infamous criminals contained behind its towering sandstone walls and razor wire fencing.

The award-winning tourist attraction is one of around a dozen historic gaols and similar sites that are now open to the public across Australia, providing an insight into the country’s prison system, as well as many other aspects of early life in the colony.

Maitland Gaol was built in the mid-1800s using sandstone sourced from the local area including Morpeth and Farley. Positioned prominently on top of a hill in East Maitland, the foundation stone was laid in 1844, with the first prisoners incarcerated in the multi-building complex in December 1848.

The gaol was built over several stages between 1844 and 1900, with much of the masonry work carried out by prisoners. Some additions and alterations were undertaken in the late 1960s and ’70s yet the closure of the gaol was announced in 1996 as part of an upgrade to the state’s prison system.

Maitland Gaol closed as a maximum-security prison on January 29, 1998, with the honour of being Australia’s oldest structure in continuous use as a gaol. Thirteen months later Maitland City Council was awarded a 50-year lease for the site, with plans to adaptively reuse the Gaol as a museum. The Gaol was also added to the State Heritage Register in 1999.

Over the years since being reopened as a tourist attraction, a number of guided tours have been developed at the Gaol.

The Gaol was also the site of numerous daring escapes, with almost 40 attempts made throughout its history, although most of them failed. The last recorded escape plot, on May 17, 1997, was thwarted before it even began.

Guided tours led by ex-warders and ex-inmates are among the Gaols’ most popular offerings, providing a unique perspective into life behind bars with stories that are not for the faint-hearted.

Maitland Gaol is rumoured to be the most haunted site in the Hunter, making its regular ghost tours another popular activity for those curious about the paranormal.

Maitland Gaol today

Thousands of visitors from all over the world visit the convict-built structure every year to explore the stories of what life was like behind its grim stone walls. Today, visitors to Maitland Gaol can learn about its vibrant history, which spanned more than 150 years.

Maitland Gaol doesn’t contain signage with information for our visitors to read, instead, a self-guided audio tour is available, along with a number of guided tour options. Each tour has a route to follow and visitors are provided with a map of the site.

Getting to Maitland Gaol

Maitland Gaol is located at 6-18 John Street in East Maitland. Visitors can take the train to Maitland Gol, East Maitland Train station is located 100m away from the entrance of Maitland Gaol.

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Image courtesy of Maitland Gaol

Maitland Gaol

Unlock the gates of Maitland Gaol today, where visitors are invited to ‘serve time’ learning about the facility, past prisoners and daring escapes. A range of tours and activities are available to suit all interests and budgets. Be led by an Ex-Warder, join a historic tour to learn about the Gaol’s past before going Ghost Hunting. Or simply enjoy the self guided audio tour, available 7 days, which allows you to experience the site at your own pace. Guided tours and activities are available at scheduled times only, pre-booking preferred, check out the Maitland Gaol website for more information.

Contact & Visit

(02) 4936 6482

Visit Our Website

Self Guided Audio Tours: Adult $19.00 Concession/Child $13.00 Child Under 5 Free of Charge See website for other entry fee categories

Opening Hours

Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sunday, Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Times also apply on Public Holidays LAST ENTRY 3.00pm ALL DAYS

Maitland Gaol

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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MAITLAND GAOL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Mon - Fri 09:00 - 16:00
• Sat - Sun 10:00 - 16:00
• (0.22 mi) The Old Victoria
• (0.30 mi) The Windsor Castle Hotel
• (0.33 mi) East Maitland Apartments
• (0.40 mi) Red Lion Inn
• (0.59 mi) Best Western Endeavour Motel
• (0.00 mi) Bread and Water
• (0.12 mi) Hermitage Inn
• (0.22 mi) Duke's Restaurant & Bar
• (0.20 mi) Hunter River Hotel Restaurant
• (0.38 mi) Teale Cafe and Catering

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Maitland Gaol

Maitland Gaol is Australia's longest continuously operating correctional facility (1844-1998) and is now one of the Hunter Region's most recognised and awarded heritage and cultural tourism attractions.

Developed over the last few years, the facility now caters for tourists looking for a unique and unusual day or night activity.

A world-class self-guided audio tour will take you on a 150 year history of the Gaol. Narrated by award-winning actor, Chris Haywood, the tour is illustrated by many actual comments and observations by former in-mates, officers, other staff, assistants and researchers.

Three very different themed public guided tours are available. Experience the personal accounts of an Ex-Inmate tour, learn the facts and stories of Maitland Gaol on a History tour or pursue the supernatural on a Psychic tour. The Ex-Inmate tours are offered regularly as both day and torchlight, prebooked and prepaid public activities while the Psychic tour is offered regularly as a torchlight activity. History tours are occasionally available as a public tour but generally offered as a private educational activity. An Officers themed guided tour will soon be available.

The site is also used extensively for functions, events and community activities.

Recently conserved and restored, the Auditorium has been developed as an educational and interpretive centre which also includes an extensive museum and exhibition space. This space displays smaller and more delicate items from the Maitland Gaol Collection and hosts special themed exhibitions of Maitland Gaol artefacts and travelling exhibitions. It is also used for lectures and educational purposes.

Spreading over 2.5 hectares, the site is a facility exhibiting 150 years of correctional institution social history. A look at life on the inside!

The Maitland Gaol Collection is primarily the 30+ buildings, facilities, furniture and fittings, associated with the 150 years of this correctional institution. The area is gradually being developed, in conjunction with an extensive interpretation plan, into a site museum spreading throughout the major buildings and facilities.

However, a major project has recently been established in conjunction with the new Education and Interpretive Centre together with the Research and Reading Room, to obtain, catalogue and display, items which tell more of the story of Maitland Gaol, its people and its buildings. Donations and extended loans of artefacts, such as documents, artworks, uniforms and clothing, books and records have been sort and acquired and are now being added to the larger items associated with the fabric of the site to create a much more complete story regarding the history and sociology of prison life throughout the 150 year operation of Maitland Gaol.

Maitland Gaol: What To Know Before Your Visit to This Former Maximum Security Prison – CURRENTLY CLOSED

Home > Museums & Galleries > Maitland Gaol: What To Know Before Your Visit to This Former Maximum Security Prison – CURRENTLY CLOSED

For an experience your family won’t forget, take your kids on a tour of Maitland Gaol in East Maitland, New South Wales.

20 MARCH 2024 UPDATE: Following an independent safety review of the Maitland Gaol site including the fire and electrical systems, Maitland City Council has made the decision to CLOSE THE SITE until further notice.

This tourist attraction isn’t for the faint-hearted but it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in local history and learn more about Maitland Gaol, a heritage-listed former prison.

As you approach Maitland Gaol, you’ll notice its large imposing sandstone structure, high walls and barbed and razor wire. It’s an introduction to the penal conditions you’ll find inside.

Opened in 1848, Maitland Gaol has a vibrant history operating as a correctional facility spanning more than 150 years including a maximum security prison. The heritage-listed site is preserved as exactly as it was upon its closure in 1998.

Visit Maitland Gaol and you can experience what life was like for inmates serving time. Unlike other museums, there are no interpretative signs for visitors to read.

Instead, you’ll need to take a tour, either a guided tour or a self-guided audio tour to learn about the buildings you’re walking through. The lack of signage definitely makes the facility feel less like a museum and more authentic. It feels like inmates might return at any moment.

In terms of the atmosphere, Maitland Gaol delivers. You definitely get a sense of what life was like for the inmates. The high walls, razor and barbed wire and watch tower add to the prison feel.

If you opt for a guided tour, choose the 150 Years Under Lock and Key or the Escapes tour. These are suitable for family groups. Some of the other tours contain content not suitable for kids.

If you choose to do the self-guided tour, you’ll need to bring your own device and headphones. Download the Maitland Gaol App available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and choose from one of the tour tracks to listen to while walking around the gaol.

The audio track for kids is Snitch’s Gaol Exploration . The narrator is a ghost rat who arrived with the first inmates in 1848. Snitch with the help of his friends shares secrets and stories of Maitland Gaol. Just be ready for Snitch’s accent and his jailhouse slang.

Each of the audio tracks corresponds to a different area of the gaol and there are coloured decals on the buildings which indicate which track to listen to. Snitch’s Gaol Exploration is aimed at primary school-aged children but parents can listen to it too. If a kids track isn’t for you, choose the Maitland Gaol Revealed audio track instead while you tour the facility.

The tour takes you throughout the site and is full of interesting information and anecdotes, moderated for kids.

The different buildings at Maitland Gaol each have their own story. A Wing was the first wing to be built at Maitland Gaol and housed men downstairs and women and their kids upstairs. It’s a bleak spot. It’s also where condemned men spent their final days before execution by hanging.

Explore the Chapel. With its stained-glass windows, it provides a respite from the jail conditions, much like it did for the inmates each Sunday.

In the shower block, you’ll learn how seven inmates escaped through a red exhaust vent in September 1977.

Looking at this narrow space, you’ll marvel how the “’Magnificent Seven” as they were dubbed managed to squeeze through. Although they managed to break out of Maitland Gaol, they were all recaptured within two hours.

To really experience life in gaol, walk through the cell blocks and go into a cell and close the door. Each prison block has at least one cell that you can wander through.

Seeing the confined space, small bed and thin mattress, open toilet reveals the conditions that inmates had to endure. The graffiti and drawings on the wall add to the experience.

The absence of light in these buildings are especially noticeable. We visited on a bright sunny day yet when we toured through some of the buildings and walked into cells, it was dark and dreary with little natural light.

In terms of the inmates, there were some that definitely deserved to be incarcerated. Venture through C Wing which was originally opened in 1897 for female prisoners and their children.

It was used in its final five years from 1993 to 1998 to house some of NSW’s worst offenders whose crimes made them unsafe to be with the other inmates.

The newest building at Maitland Gaol is 5-Wing, It was built in 1993 and was designed to be a high security area for inmates who had committed the most heinous crimes or serious crimes against other inmates. This is where backpacker murderer Ivan Milat was imprisoned.

In contrast, there were other inmates whose crimes seem minor especially some of the early female inmates whose crimes include petty theft, public drunkenness or keeping a disorderly house (running a brothel).

Maitland Gaol is a fascinating walk through penal history but you’ll appreciate the taste of freedom as you leave!

Good to Know

Website: Maitland Gaol

Suitability: We would recommend this for older primary school-aged kids and teens. Snitch’s Gaol Exploration self-directed tour at Maitland Gaol is aimed for primary school-aged kids. We would recommend kids 8+ listen to this tour.

If your kids are sensitive or prone to nightmares, maybe skip visiting Maitland Gaol. If you’re not sure if the content of Snitch’s Gaol Exploration is appropriate for your kids, you can listen to it beforehand by downloading the app and tour track.

Cost: It costs from $19 for adults and $13 for kids aged 5 and over for a self-guided audio tour. For a guided tour, adults are from $30 and kids aged 5 and over are $24.

Tours: Choose from guided tours or self-directed tours. Allow 60 – 90 minutes for the audio tours. If you want to leave the kids at home and experience a more harrowing tour, choose a night tour. There are a few to choose from including the Psychic Experience tour, Crimes of Passion Night Tour or a Ghost Hunting Tour.

If you visit during school holidays, sign the kids up for kids activity. There are different sessions each holiday with fun activities to explain the history of Maitland Gaol.

Opening Hours: Maitland Gaol is open 7 days a week. Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm and 10am to 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.

Getting There: Maitland Gaol is located at 6 – 18 John Street in East Maitland. For a fun excursion, catch the train to Maitland Gaol. East Maitland Train Station is located 100m to the entrance of Maitland Gaol.

Cafe: Bread and Water Cafe is located in the former Warden’s Cafeteria and is the region’s first 100% gluten free cafe.

Additional Activities: You can book a session of laser tag at Maitland Gaol with Battlezone Playlive Laser Tag. Want to escape from Maitland Gaol. Get Out Escape Rooms have launched their first escape game, Jail Breakout! Situated in cells of the notorious 5 wing, you can take part in a thrilling and realistic live game experience.

Disclosure: Newy with Kids received free admission to Maitland Gaol for review purposes. However, all opinions are our own.

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New tour at Maitland Gaol takes you all along the watchtower

For the first time in 175 years, visitors to Maitland Gaol will be allowed access to the metal catwalks once patrolled by armed officers.

From Thursday 7 December, the new Tower Tour will give both newcomers and returning visitors a brand new view of the former maximum security prison, after walking up a spiral staircase built inside the thick sandstone walls.

‘The Tower Tour is an exciting opportunity for us,’ says Maitland Gaol’s Heritage Interpretation Specialist Zoe Whiting.

‘Not only is it a new way to interpret the Gaol’s heritage, but visitors will also have a unique perspective of its position near key parts of East Maitland like the railway station and former courthouse.’

These armed posts provided a bird’s eye view to the day to day life below, and ‘were responsible for the safety of fellow officers and security of the site’, Ms Whiting said.

‘As you move along the catwalk, your guide will explore how the towers were operated as a security measure, when they were used in a crisis and the working conditions for staff that occupied them.

‘We want to identify changes in how the towers were used and examine the impact of the towers on staff and prisoners.

‘There’s so much history and heritage at Maitland Gaol we’re confident the Tower Tour will attract both new and returning visitors.’

The Tower Tour is proudly supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, through the 2020-21 Experience Enhancement Fund.

More than $11.7 million worth of additional works at Maitland Gaol will be funded by over $10 million in State and Federal funding announced in January 2022.

Tickets for the Tower Tour are on sale from today and can be purchased individually or as an add on for other guided tours. For more information and to book, visit www.maitlandgaol.com.au .

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Maitland Gaol - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Mon - Fri 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Sat - Sun 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• (0.35 km) The Old Victoria
• (0.47 km) The Windsor Castle Hotel
• (0.52 km) East Maitland Apartments
• (0.64 km) Red Lion Inn
• (0.95 km) Best Western Endeavour Motel
• (0.00 km) Bread and Water
• (0.19 km) Hermitage Inn
• (0.35 km) Duke's Restaurant & Bar
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• (0.61 km) Teale Cafe and Catering

TOWER TOURS: Maitland Gaol to unlock hidden history

by Newcastle Live 14 November 2023, 9:03 am

Visitors to Maitland Gaol will soon be able to walk along the metal catwalks once used by guards to keep the inmates in check.

The newly launched Tower Tour promises to give people a fresh perspective on the former maximum-security prison.

It’s the first time in 175 years that the catwalks will be open to the public.

“There’s so much history and heritage at Maitland Gaol we’re confident the Tower Tour will attract both new and returning visitors,” Maitland Gaol’s Heritage Interpretation Specialist, Zoe Whiting said.

The unique experience will see visitors ascending a spiral staircase ingeniously constructed inside the Gaol’s imposing sandstone walls before arriving on the catwalks.

It’s an experience that will give people an unparalleled view of the prison and its surroundings like never before. Visitors will be able to check out key landmarks around the area like the railway station and the former courthouse in East Maitland.

During the tour, a guide will delve into the operational aspects of the towers, their use during crises, and the working conditions faced by the staff who occupied them.

“As you move along the catwalk, your guide will explore how the towers were operated as a security measure when they were used in a crisis and the working conditions for staff that occupied them,” Zoe said.

“We want to identify changes in how the towers were used and examine the impact of the towers on staff and prisoners.”

Tower Tours will begin running at Maitland Gaol from Thursday 7 December 2023. To find out more visit maitlandgaol.com.au .

© 2022 Newcastle Live

The Ghosts of Maitland Gaol The Ghosts of Maitland Gaol

• The Ghosts of Maitland Gaol

THE GHOSTS OF MAITLAND GAOL

Explore eerie and spine tingling experiences within Australia’s most haunted prison, with ‘The Ghosts of Maitland Gaol’ at Bitter & Twisted this weekend.

Join Newcastle Ghost Tours as they uncover the mysterious and unsettling occurrences that transpire within the grim confines of this historic Gaol. 

Delve into the bizarre and uncanny events that have taken place, all presented with an air of authenticity. 

Get behind the scenes insight about what goes on during tours and become a part of an engaging Q&A session where you can inquire about your curiosities in the Ghosts of Maitland Gaol.

Catch one of the sessions on Saturday 4 November at 11.30am, 1.30pm or 3.30pm.

Source: ABC Newcastle | Program: Newcastle Breakfast

The 'Tower Experience' coming soon to Maitland Gaol

• X (formerly Twitter)

Are you fascinated with old historical buildings? Maybe you like ghost tours or abandoned buildings.

There is a lot of appeal in that kind of tourism. 

A new attraction is coming to Maitland Gaol, where you will be able to climb the spiral staircase inside a watch tower and walk the gantries. 

Maitland Gaol's Zoe Whiting spoke to the ABC's Dan and Jenny about the new 'Tower Experience'.

• Jenny Marchant and Dan Cox, Author

In this episode

Maitland Gaol's new tour gives you better access than ever before

Join the conversation

Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio

• Tours and Tickets
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• Snitch’s Spot
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• General History
• Share your stories
• Family Research
• Other Justice Museums
• Conservation Works
• Maitland Gaol Development Plan
• Maitland Gaol Tower Experience
• Site Information
• @MaitlandGaol Social Media House Rules

MAITLAND GAOL TO CLOSE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Maitland City Council has announced the immediate closure of Maitland Gaol following an independent safety review of the site including the fire and electrical systems.

The Gaol, which is managed by Council on behalf of the NSW Government, will be closed until further notice while an assessment of required repair work and associated costs takes place. All tours and planned events have been cancelled and refunds will be provided.

Maitland Council is working with businesses and community groups who use Gaol facilities and will assist where possible in finding alternate arrangements.

General Manager Jeff Smith says ‘this decision has not been taken lightly but the safety of Council staff, visitors and the Maitland community is of the utmost importance.’

‘As a 170 year old heritage site, Maitland Gaol has always required ongoing specialist maintenance but it has now become clear that the safety issues pose a risk to staff and visitors leaving me no choice but to close the site,’ Mr Smith says.

Maitland Council will provide regular public updates about the status of repair work and ongoing communication with community stakeholders.

For more information regarding event cancellation or obtaining refunds for booked tours, please contact [email protected]

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER GREAT ATTRACTIONS IN MAITLAND, PLEASE VISIT MYMAITLAND.COM.AU

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Curate Your Own Adventure

Maitland gaol.

Published by

Rebecca Lush

This morning I journeyed out to Maitland Gaol for a self-guided audio tour experience. The Gaol is approximately one hour from Newcastle by train and very easy to access without a car. There are a few tour options available so definitely check their website before you visit. The only option I had available today was the self-guided audio tour that you can download to your device before your visit. You can take either the Maitland Gaol Revealed or Escaping Maitland Gaol tour (a kid’s tour is also available). Because I had the time, and really wanted to explore the Gaol, I selected Maitland Gaol Revealed. This is a 1.5 hour tour that guides you through all the main areas. The benefit of this app is you can re-read/listen to any sections post-visit. Before reviewing the experience, here is a brief history of the Gaol.

History of Maitland Gaol

Maitland Gaol officially opened in December, 1848. However, building the Gaol started as early as 1846 with a foundation stone laid in 1844. You will see in photographs that the sandstone used to construct the Goal is that quintessential convict-era sandstone. This was quarried by convicts at Morpeth – an area near the Gaol. The first structures to be built were the southeast wing, gate, and enclosing wall. Towards the end of the 1880s, the warders’ quarters, watch towers, and building containing the chapel were added. Extensions continued to be built to support the growing number of inmates. In 1972, Maitland Gaol became a maximum-security prison.

Fast forward to the early 1990s when modern prison cells were built including 5-wing – a high-security cell block for those who had committed especially serious crimes. Eventually the Gaol closed in January 1998. Today, it serves as a heritage-listed tourism site.

The Gaol was inscribed on the New South Wales State Heritage Registrar on 2 April 1999. Mainly because it’s the oldest substantially intact country gaol in New South Wales. It is also Australia’s oldest structure to be continuously used as a gaol and the last surviving example of the ‘Inspectors’ Gaols’ or those designed by the Colonial Architect in New South Wales.

Maitland Gaol Revealed

I strongly suggest taking the Maitland Gaol Revealed tour if you are wanting an in-depth experience. It is filled with firsthand accounts from both ex-inmates and wardens. I do think there is room to develop this tour to include more diverse voices. Each stop is well-timed and well-sign posted meaning I wasn’t getting lost or standing in the same place for too long. Overall, I really enjoyed the tour and exploring the Gaol. It was great being able to bring your own device and headphones (but both are available to purchase onsite if you need to). Here are my highlights from the tour:

The fifth stop on the tour is 5-wing. This is one of the most notorious cell blocks in the entire Gaol as it housed some of the worst criminals. It looks quite new as it only opened five years prior to the Gaol closing. Inmates weren’t allowed any personal belongings or contact with other inmates while in this wing.

After hearing a bit more about 5-wing, the next block you explore is C-wing. This was originally built in the mid-1880s to house female inmates. It is a building separate from the rest. When female inmates were no longer sent to Maitland (1950s onwards) it housed high-risk criminals and those with access to the outside (through visiting family and friends). Strangely enough, this block was used as a makeshift maternity hospital in 1949 when the main hospital’s maternity wing closed due to flooding.

3: The Kitchen

The reason why I’m including the kitchen in this list is because of its surrounding gardens. There are a few panels that explain what was grown in the garden to feed inmates. For example, one area grew lettuce and beans from 1900 – 1955 to provide fresh vegetables. There are a couple of amazing lemon trees planted outside the kitchen too. I am a food-orientated person so it’s always interesting to learn about anything relating to food.

Construction on B-wing started in 1867 making this the second oldest wing at the Gaol. It is three storeys high and long-term inmates were housed on the top level.

5: The Hospital

No surprises here – the hospital was another highlight of the tour. All inmates passed through the hospital before heading to their cell. As well as blood and urine tests, inmates underwent psychological evaluation. There is a little display here of some historical medical supplies.

6: The Chapel

The Chapel was a highlight for me as you can clearly see the great preservation work happening. The stained glass windows overlook the entire chapel and there are a few murals on display that were uncovered in 2007. I really enjoyed listening to the audio guide in this area. There was a great story about a chaplain who gave lamingtons to inmates attending his service. Lamingtons were classed as contraband so this had to stop and attendance dropped.

Opening in 1848, this is the oldest wing in the Gaol. The audio guide shares some LGBTIQA+ history via stories about those who identified as homosexual or transsexual. Going back to what I said before, it would be worth including the voice of someone from the LGBTIQA+ community. It is also the wing that held inmates sentenced to execution. The room where all these inmates spent their final days is at the back of the wing.

There are 25 sites in total to explore. A few have additional stories you can listen to during your visit.

Logistical Information

As mentioned before, you can either drive or take public transport from Newcastle. There is some fantastic information on accessibility here: https://www.maitlandgaol.com.au/visit/visitor-services/accessibility/ . The Gaol is open weekdays from 9am to 4pm and weekends from 10am to 4pm. You can find all the information on tours and tickets here: https://www.maitlandgaol.com.au/visit/ .

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Welcome to Curate Your Own Adventure. I started this blog back in 2015 when I discovered I was accepted into the Master of Museum & Heritage Studies program at The University of Sydney. At first, I wrote about my studies. Now, I use my blog to review museums and heritage places around the world. Happy reading!

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