With a vibrant history spanning more than 150 years this former maximum security prison is now open for you to explore. Maitland Gaol provides experiences for singles, groups and schools that are tailored to both children and adults. There are many fascinating tours available. Be led around by an ex-warder, join a historic tour to learn more about the Gaol’s past or simply take the time to do it yourself with a self-guided audio tour. Self-guided audio tours are available seven days a week and guided tour times and dates are varied.
SELF GUIDED TOURS
Maitland Gaol Revealed
The Maitland Gaol Revealed 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.
Escaping Maitland Gaol
The Escaping Maitland Gaol 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 grueling regime that always ended up with the crims back serving an even longer sentence.
Snitch’s Gaol Exploration (Children’s tour)
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.
AUSLAN/Open Access
The Maitland Gaol Revealed audio tour is now available for the deaf and hearing impaired in either Auslan/Captions or Audio/Captions at Maitland Gaol. This audio tour is available using a smartphone app called OpenAccess Tours that can be downloaded in advance or alternatively it is available on site (for those that do not have a smartphone). For more information on OpenAccess Tours click here (standard admission costs apply).
Times
Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm.
Saturday and Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Last entry at 3.00pm.
PUBLIC TOURS
There are five themed guided tours available. Experience the personal accounts of an ex-warder, learn about the past on a history tour, hear of daring escapes on the escapes tour or chase the supernatural on a psychic tour.
Public guided tours run regularly on weekends at 11.00am and Saturday evenings at 8.00pm. Other tours are scheduled subject to demand, click here for a complete list of public guided tours and to view available dates and times of the tours.
Phone: 0249366482
Email info@maitlandgaol.com.au
PRIVATE TOURS
Maitland Gaol has the capacity to host groups of various sizes. Group tours can be tailored for schools, social groups and corporate events to name a few. In addition to school and general group tours, Maitland Gaol offers private meal and tour packages and sleepover options.
Phone: 02 4936 6482
Email info@maitlandgaol.com.au
ACTIVITIES
Blackbird Artisan Bakery
Blackbird Artisan Bakery is an on site café that operates from the former Warden’s Cafeteria near the main gates on John Street. It’s the perfect spot for morning tea or cake and coffee before you explore behind the walls. Open 5 days a week offering breakfast and lunch, Blackbird is also available for special or private events and small and large groups are welcome by appointment.
Open hours
Wednesday to Sunday 8.00am to 3.00pm
Phone:
For Blackbird Artisan Bakery 02 4934 5238
For meal and tour packages 02 4936 6482
Battlezone Playlive Laser Skirmish
Battlezone Playlive Laser Skirmish is the ultimate laser tag experience. Communication and team work are critical to achieving your mission objectives. Equipped with the latest state of the art gaming guns, it is up to you to determine which tactics to use as you engage the enemy. Maitland Gaol is home to Battlezone Playlive and with full access to the gaol, no two games are ever quite the same. Will you be tasked with defending the 3-storey kitchen, or tracking down and defusing a ticking time bomb?
There are no age or fitness barriers, anyone can play…no projectiles, no pain, no bruising! Battlezone offers family fun events, public events, private events and team building events that are perfect for your social or school groups, work mates and youth groups. Bookings are essential.
Session Times
Saturdays and Sundays 4.00pm – 6.00pm or 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Website: battlezoneplaylive.com.au
Phone: 1300 661 565
Email: info@battlezoneplaylive.com.auMuseum of Clothing
The Museum of Clothing was incorporated in 2005 and is Australia’s only dedicated clothing museum containing a substantial collection of textile items including dresses, hats, shows and ties ranging fro m as early as the 1860s to the present day. Currently, the Museum is located in the Lieutenant Governor’s Residence Building of Maitland Gaol.
The Museum of Clothing is a not for profit organisation operated by a dedicated team of volunteers, all experts in their fields, with the common goal of preserving the history of clothing and textile industry.
Open hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10.00am – 2.00pm
Phone: 0403 652 550
Email: theclothingmuseumeastmaitland@gmail.comVisit Maitland Gaol
Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm
Saturday and Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm
6 – 18 John Street (PO Box 249) EAST MAITLAND NSW 2323