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 offers three self-guided audio tours each presenting a different perspective of the stories that live behind the bars of the historic prison. 

The general audio tour gives visitors an in depth understanding of how prisoners slept, ate, exercised and wiled away the many thousands of hours until their release. It explores each section of the site, revealing secrets straight from the mouths of those who knew it best – the ex-inmates and ex-warders. 

The Escapes audio tour leads interested visitors through the maze of cells, divulging intricate details of the many escape attempts seen throughout the gaol’s 150 year history. The audio tour guide tells stories of ballsy efforts to break free of the gaol’s gruelling regime – that always ended up with the crims back serving an even longer sentence.

Ghostly character Snitch the Rat leads primary school aged kids on an adventure through the gaol cells in the Children’s audio tour. Snitch tells the children all the secrets of the gaol that he witnessed as the many criminals were brought in from the outside world. The tour offers fun, age appropriate facts and stories set to entertain and educate. 

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 General Audio tour. The sample currently available is Stop 2 - The Gatehouse (2:25)

• Adults: $17.00    Concession/Child: $14.00  (to 30/6/2013)

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 be confronting includes adult themes, course language and drug and sexual references. 

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

Buy your tickets for an Ex-Inmate Tour here

Ex-Warder Tour:

Ex-Warder Tours give another perspective of life behind bars

These are a 1½ hour escorted tour through the Maitland Gaol complex from the perspective of the men and women responsible for operating the facility over its 150 years.

Like the Ex-Inmate tour, there are some stories which are not for the feint-hearted. Stories of famous and infamous characters from yesterday and yesteryear. Your guide will provide you with information on the history of this maximum security facility and what it was like to look after some of the "worst of the worst". Be prepared for some harrowing tales.

Not recommended for children under the age of 14 as the information presented may be confronting includes adult themes, course language and drug and sexual references.

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

Buy your tickets for an Ex-Warder Tour here

Escapes Tour:

Examining the Tunnel discovered in a 1980 escape attempt (Newcastle Herald image)

While learning about the history and operation of this notorious prison, this specially designed NEW! tour explores the various stories behind some of the documented escapes from Australia’s longest continuously operating correctional facility.

During your 1½ hour tour our guides will escort you around the site, delving into the ways prisoners were treated through various eras of prison management, and how the Gaol was developed through its 150 year operational history.

And throughout your exploration, stories of amazing escapes, from the unbelievable and amazing to the farcical. All, in most cases, for a few hours of freedom. Learn about the 'Magnificent Seven' – the last successful escape in September 1977, and Patrick McNamara, who escaped in August 1851, only to be recaptured 4 months later and face the hangman’s noose in March 1852.

Now being presented as a public day and evening tour on selected occasions throughout the week or for private groups. Check the website for the next scheduled public tour.

Buy your tickets for an Escapes 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.

Group Activities:

Organise an activity for your special group

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). Any of the Themed Tours are available except the Psychic theme.

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. Any of the Themed Tours are available except the Psychic theme.

Dinner and Tour:

A complete night out with a two course dinner served in the Gaol Cafe and then either an Ex-inmate, Ex-Warder 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 a 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.