Self guided audio tours
There are three self guided audio tours available seven days a week, each providing a different perspective of the life behind the bars.
Unlike a traditional museum, Maitland Gaol doesn't contain signage with information for our visitors to read, that's why the self guided audio tours are so important. It is the only way you can learn about the spaces and their importance to the site as you explore. Each tour has a route to follow to make sure you don't miss anything, but you're also welcome to explore the site at your own pace. You'll be provided with a map of the site as part of your entry, this will help you navigate your way through the self guided tour and find your way back to the entry/exit. Please allow enough time to enjoy the experience (we recommend a minimum of 90 minutes), the site is surprisingly large and there are many buildings for you to explore.
Read more about the three self guided options below.
Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) the Escaping Maitland Gaol audio tour is not currently available on site. However as the content is available on your device feel free to listen at your leisure. For more information please contact Maitland Gaol directly on (02) 4936 6482.
This audio tour will give you an in depth understanding of how prisoners slept, ate, exercised and wiled away the many thousands of hours until their release. You will explore each section of the site, revealing secrets straight from the mouths of those who knew it best, the ex-inmates and ex-warders.
Maitland Gaol Revealed is classed as the 'adults' tour and may contain information about sex, homosexuality and course language. We suggest this tour for adults and teenagers (14 years and over) but ultimately we leave the decision up to you. Please note that this tour is partnered with Snitch's Gaol Exploration so that children and adults can move in the same direction and explore the site together whilst listening to age appropriate content.
This audio tour will lead you through the maze of cells, divulging intricate details of the many escape attempts seen throughout the gaol’s 150 year history. You will hear stories of ballsy efforts to break free of the gaol’s gruelling regime that almost always ended up with the prisoners back serving an even longer sentence.
Escaping Maitland Gaol is a stand alone tour which runs in the opposite direction to the other self guided tours offered, we suggest this as an option for people who have already undertaken Maitland Gaol Revealed.
The ghostly character ‘Snitch the Rat’ leads children on an adventure through the gaol cells. Snitch tells the children all the secrets of the gaol that he witnessed as the many criminals were brought in from the outside world. This tour is perfect for primary school aged children as it offers a fun and fascinating experience that is full of facts and stories that will entertain and educate.
This tour is specifically designed for children, however many adults enjoy it to. This tour works well for families as children can listen to age appropriate content whilst parents/caregivers can enjoy adult content available on Maitland Gaol Revealed.
The Maitland Gaol Revealed audio tour is now available for the deaf and hearing impaired in Auslan/Captions.
The Auslan version of the app is available in the Maitland Gaol app downloadable through your Apple app store or Google Play Store. Search 'Maitland Gaol' there now.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
- your smart device
- headphones
- drink bottle
- hat or umbrella depending on the weather
- enclosed footwear
- a smile (we love how contagious they are)
PRICES
Adult - $19 per person
Concession - $13 per person (must show valid concession card)
Child (5 and over) - $13 per person
Child (under 5) - free of charge
TIMES
Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 10.00am - 4.00pm
Last entry to the site at 3.00pm on all days
YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE
Details and instructions on how to download the app are available here.
Please note due to current restrictions pre-booking for self guided audio tours is preferred.
Download the app using the QR codes below
