Winter activities

There are three self guided audio tours available seven days a week, each providing a different perspective of life behind bars.

Maitland Gaol Revealed - 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.

Escaping Maitland Gaol -  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 grueling regime that almost always ended up with the crims back serving an even longer sentence.

Snitch's Gaol Exploration - designed specifically for children the ghostly character ‘Snitch the Rat’ leads them 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. 

Download the app to your own device for a discounted entry, simply search Maitland Gaol in the App Store or Play Store. 

Enjoy part two of our Workhouse Woes series these school holidays! Ever wondered what prisoners get up to behind bars? Then come along to Workhouse Woes - Butter Making 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 the chance to get hands on and make their very own butter. Having to use all their muscles to make the butter means they are probably going to be a little hungry. Well not only will they make it, but they'll get to taste it.

Dates: Thursday 11 and 18 July 2019

Time: 11.00am

Price: Child - $10, Adult - $5

Bookings Essential, suitable for children aged between 5 - 15 years.

Not suitable for vegans or gluten intolerant. 

While learning about the history and operation of this notorious prison, this specially designed 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.

Dates: 7, 12, 13, 19 and 21 July

Time: 11.00am

Price: $23 per person (adults at children's prices)

Bookings Essential, suitable for all ages.