Gaol Tours

Open for inspection every day. Click on the links above for further specific tour information.

Maitland Gaol's world-class audio tour available daily

Self-Guided Audio Tour: 

Maitland Gaol's recently installed world class audio tour will take you on a 150 year history of the gaol.

Narrated by award winning actor Chris Haywood, the tour is illustrated with many actual comments and observations by former in-mates, officers, other staff, assistants and researchers.

Hear stories of the famous characters from yesterday and yesteryear while obtaining an understanding of what life was like behind the thick stone walls for both the inmates and the warders.

Take as long as you like to probe the depths of life on the inside.

Available every day from 10:00am – 4:00pm (subject to site bookings). We recommend that visitors arrive no later than 3:00pm to obtain the total Maitland Gaol experience.

Click on the controls above to experience an example of the audio tour. The sample currently available is Stop 2 - The Gatehouse (2:25)

• Adults: $14.00    Concession/Child: $12.00

A variety of Themed Guided Tours are available

Themed Guided Tours:

Psychic Tour:

Psychic Tours explore the paranormal

Do you believe in the paranormal? Both believers and non-believers alike are fascinated by the psychic stories and phenomena described by our resident psychic guide.

To really be immersed in the psychic experience, you will need 2½ hours to hear the history of the Maitland Gaol and the people who have passed through its walls. Be ready for some truly mystifying tales, the answers to which you can decide for yourself.

We don’t guarantee any ghostly activity, but many visitors experience an eerie feeling. Your guide will lead you in this experience. If you are lucky, there may be time for a palm reading or two at the end of the tour.

This tour is not available for children under 14 years as it is conducted at night and the information presented is of an adult and/or confronting nature.

Regularly presented as a public evening Torchlight Tour or for private groups. Availability of this tour is limited so early booking is especially recommended.

Email us and let us know if you have had any eerie or spooky Maitland Gaol experiences.

Buy your tickets for a Psychic Tour here

Ex-Inmate Tour:

Experience what life was like behind bars from those who knew it best - an Ex-Inmate

A 1½ hour experience of Maitland Gaol from the perspective of one who knew it well – an ex-inmate!

Your guide will explain the history of this maximum security facility and how he survived in the state’s penal system. Plenty of stories about life within the regimented and restrictive world that is life behind bars. Ask your guide any question about the inside but be ready for the answer!

Our most popular tour, it is not for the squeamish but if you can take it you won’t get a better insight into the real reason for the facility’s existence.

Not recommended for children under the age of 14 as the information presented may include adult themes, course language and drug and sexual references. Attendance of children under 14 years is at the discretion of the child’s parent or guardian who must accompany the child.

Regularly presented as a public day tour on weekends and as an evening Torchlight Tour or for private groups.

Buy your tickets for an Ex-Inmate Tour here

History Tour:

Learn the facts on a History Tour

Immerse yourself in the history of Maitland Gaol on this 1½ tour, discovering stories of all sorts of heroes and villains.

Our expert guides are regularly undertaking and updating research to give you the most informed tour of this 150-year-old institution. Delve into all parts of the site and learn of the changes that have occurred in prisoner treatment throughout the life of this oldest continuously operating correctional facility in Australia.

From the English Pentonville Model of the original cell blocks to the modern Maximum Security 5 Wing and the many ancillary buildings scattered throughout the site.

This tour is occasionally presented as a public evening Torchlight Tour but is mainly presented for private groups where it may be adapted to highlight particular aspects of the facility at the request of the group organisers. It is suitable for children.

Introductory Tour:

Introductory Tours are ideal for families

These are a 1 to 1½ hour escorted experience through the Maitland Gaol complex with our expert guides commentary on the operation of the facility over its 150 years.

Hear stories of the famous characters from yesterday and yesteryear while obtaining an understanding of what life was like behind the thick stone walls for both the inmates and the warders. Investigate the original cell block built in the 1840s as well as the most modern facility, completed in 1993.

The tour is ideal for families with children and for those who want that extra first hand information not available with a self-guided walk. Plenty of opportunities for photographs so bring your still and video cameras.

This tour is mainly presented for private groups however is sometimes presented during school holidays. The History tour is an alternative.

Organise an activity for your special group

Group Activities:

Private Group Tour:

Tours to suit your schedule outside of regular public tour times. We can cater for schools, car clubs, social groups, Probus clubs and more (minimum numbers apply). Introductory and Themed Tours available.

School Group Tour:

Tailored especially for school groups and relating to a specific syllabus requirement. Talk to us about your requirements and ask for a copy of our Schools' Kit designed for the High School History Syllabus. Also ideal for Maths, English and Social Studies excursions to name a few. Introductory and Themed Tours available.

Dinner and Tour:

A complete night out with a two course dinner served in 'Porridge Cafe' and then either an Ex-inmate or History tour of Maitland Gaol. Minimum numbers of 25 apply. Available every night of the week subject to other bookings. Satisfy your hunger for stories and food all at the one time! Phone for details and bookings.

Sleepover:

See if you can spend a whole night in a Gaol Cell

For the ultimate group experience there is NOTHING like a sleepover in Maitland Gaol.

Begin your evening around 9:30pm with an Ex-Inmate Torchlight Tour, a 1½hour tour of this historic facility where you can get to know your “guards” for the night. You will then be “locked down” into C Wing, 5 Wing and the Visits Centre to spend the rest of your sentence in the company of your friends. Like all prisoners, you will have to make your own entertainment and it’s BYO everything for your own comfort.

This experience is not for the feint-hearted. See if you can spend the whole night in a prison cell.

Your sentence will conclude at 8:00am the next morning, after which you may have a better idea of what life was like on the inside.

Special conditions apply to this activity and participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

There is only a limited number of evenings available (Monday - Friday only) so organise your private group of 25 or more and contact us early to book your night and ensure you can undertake this unique experience.

An enquiry for a Group Booking can be made by downloading and completing a Hiring Agreement Information Sheet and fax or post it back to us.

Make sure you also download the Hiring Conditions and Special Sleepover Conditions.

Phone for our Group Tour prices.