THIS SUMMER AT MAITLAND GAOL
Maitland Gaol has a vibrant history spanning more than 150 years. After housing some of Australia’s most hardened criminals, the maximum security facility closed its doors on 29 January 1998. Remaining genuine to the day the gates closed, you can explore the site by taking part in a guided tour, self guided audio tour, the new Tower Tour, or join one of the school holiday activities just for kids. Maitland Gaol provides experiences for individuals, groups and schools that are tailored to both children and adults.
SELF GUIDED AUDIO TOURS With two different tours available, the self guided audio tours allow you to explore the Gaol at your own pace, making it a great option for the whole family. Choose from Maitland Gaol Revealed, Snitch’s Gaol Exploration (child-friendly), or Escaping Maitland Gaol. Dates: Available daily, last entry at 3.00pm Price: $19 per adult $13 per child/concessions Children under 5 are complimentary
HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE MAITLAND GAOL APP The Maitland Gaol app can be downloaded through the Google Playstore or Apple store. Search ‘Maitland Gaol’ and click the app to install. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code below to download the app to your device.
PUBLIC GUIDED TOURS
(approx. 90 minute in length) Tours are scheduled on specific dates and times, information available on the website. Bookings are essential.
GUIDED TOURS AVAILABLE 150 Years Under Lock and Key Immerse yourself in the history of Maitland Gaol on this tour, discovering stories of all sorts of heroes and villains. Escapes On this tour of Maitland Gaol hear stories of amazing escapes from the unbelievable to the outright ludicrous. Executions Have you heard about Maitland Gaol’s history but want to dive a little deeper? The Executions tour unlocks a door into the past, exploring the executions at Maitland Gaol. 16 men were executed between 1843-1897, forming an interesting part of our history. Crimes of Passion Crimes of passion shock and horrify, but also intrigue us. Listen to Maitland Gaol come to life with a series of stories focused on crimes of passion on this tour.
Ex Warder This escorted tour through the Maitland Gaol complex is from the perspective of the men and women responsible for operating the facility.
PARANORMAL EXPERIENCES Ghost Hunting 101 Always wondered what lingers in the dark at Maitland Gaol? Enjoy learning about the site whilst engaging with a series of technologies to explore the site under the guidance of experienced ghost hunters. The Residence Use exclusive technology and techniques that are not available on other ghost hunting experiences at the Gaol, inside the abandoned Lieutenant Governor’s residence. Available for a limited time until the building is redeveloped.
For all of our kids school holiday activities please see inside.
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
TRY THE NEW TOWER TOUR A new view awaits on the Tower Tour at Maitland Gaol. Rise seven meters up a spiral staircase to reveal not only a unique perspective of the Gaol below, but also its surroundings. These armed posts provided a birds eye view to the day to day life below, and were responsible for the safety of fellow officers and security of the site. As you move along the catwalk your guide will explain 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. Take a moment to enjoy the views into East Maitland and beyond as your guide provides context to Maitland Gaol’s location and the buildings in close proximity. As you prepare to descend, hear about the unrest in the 1970s and what new security technologies were introduced to maintain the balance of power at Maitland Gaol.
WORKHOUSE WOES: BUTTER MAKING
Come along to Maitland Gaol to learn all about one of the jobs undertaken by prisoners in the earliest days of the Gaol’s history. Children will undertake a mini tour of the site before getting hands on and making their very own butter. All that hard work to make the butter will probably make the kids a little hungry, so it’s a good thing they will get to taste their butter creation after making it. DATES: Tuesdays 2, 9, 16 and 23 January TIME:
11.00am and 1.30pm
PRICE: $15 child and adult package, $10 additional child, $10 additional adult
Curious about what happens when prisoners get to Gaol? Following a one hour mini tour of the site, everyone will get an opportunity to buddy up and create a prisoner description of their partner. This will include hair colour, eye colour, height and age. Learn about prisoner descriptions, what they are used for and why they are important. Take your description home as a lasting memory of junior sleuthing in Maitland Gaol. DATES: Thursdays 4, 11, 18 and 25 January TIME:
11.00am and 1.30pm
Have you ever wondered what the Gaol is like once the sun starts going down? Come along and experience the Gaol at dusk during this exclusive event. Explore the site at your own pace through the app on your own device. DATES: Friday 19 January TIME:
PRICE: $19 Adults $13 Concession/Children
Adults only tours Tower Tour (runs daily) Escapes tour Ex Warder tour
Workhouse Woes: Butter Making Junior Sleuth: Prisoner Descriptions
150 Years Under Lock and Key tour
Ghost Hunting 101
Executions tour
The Residence
Crimes of passion
After Hours
December 2023 and January 2024 MONDAY 25 Closed
01 Closed
TUESDAY 26 Closed
02 11.00am, 1.30pm
09
THURSDAY 28
FRIDAY 29
SATURDAY 30
SUNDAY 31
11.00am
11.00am
11.00am
11.00am
11.00am
1.30pm
1.30pm
1.30pm
8.00pm
8.00pm
8.00pm
1.30pm
1.30pm, 8.00pm
9.30pm
9.30pm
9.30pm
8.00pm
03
04
05
06
11.00am, 1.30pm 1.30pm
15
11.00am, 1.30pm
11.00am
11.00am
11.00am, 1.30pm
1.30pm
8.00pm
1.30pm
1.30pm
8.00pm
9.00pm
8.00pm
12
13
14
11.00am
11.00am
11.00am
1.30pm
1.30pm
1.30pm
8.00pm
8.00pm
8.00pm
19
20
21
11.00am
11.00am
11.00am
1.30pm
1.30pm
1.30pm
8.00pm
8.00pm
27
28
10
11
1.30pm
11.00am, 1.30pm
8.00pm
16
17
18
11.00am 11.00am, 1.30pm
11.00am, 1.30pm
1.30pm
11.00am, 1.30pm
8.00pm
22
23 11.00am, 1.30pm
1.30pm
24
25
11.00am
11.00am
07
11.00am
11.00am
11.00am
SCAN THE QR CODE TO BOOK TOURS.
WEDNESDAY 27
8.00pm
08
6.00pm - 9.00pm, last entry 8.00pm
PRICE: $15 child and adult package, $10 additional child, $10 additional adult
Family friendly tours Self guided audio tour (runs daily, please bring your own device)
SELF GUIDED AUDIO TOUR AFTER HOURS
JUNIOR SLEUTH: PRISONER DESCRIPTIONS
1.30pm 8.00pm
26 11.00am, 8.00pm
11.00am, 1.30pm
11.00am
11.00am
1.30pm 1.30pm
8.00pm
1.30pm, 8.00pm
The program, times and dates are correct at the time of publishing. Maitland Gaol reserves the right to delete or alter any item in the program without notice. Bookings are essential for all tours and activities.
GETTING HERE
OPEN SEVEN DAYS Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 10.00am – 4.00pm Last entry at 3.00pm on all days Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day - closed 6 - 18 John Street, East Maitland 02 4936 6482 info@maitlandgaol.com.au
Bookings are essential for all tours and activities. Book online or call 02 4936 6482.
maitlandgaol.com.au