Maitland Gaol Spring School Holidays

AT MAITLAND GAOL THIS SPRING

Maitland Gaol has a vibrant history spanning more than 150 years. After housing some of Australia’s most hardened criminals, the maximum security facility closed its doors on 29 January 1998.

Remaining genuine to the day the gates closed, you can explore the site by taking part in a guided tour, self guided audio tour or join one of the school holiday activities designed specifically for children.

Maitland Gaol provides experiences for individuals, groups and schools that are tailored to both children and adults.

SELF GUIDED AUDIO TOURS

With three different tours available, the self guided audio tours allow you to explore the Gaol at your own pace, making it a great option for the whole family.

Choose from Maitand Gaol Revealed, Snitch’s Gaol Exploration which is just for children, or Escaping Maitland Gaol.

DATES: Available daily, last entry at 3.00pm

PRICE: $19 per adult

$13 per child/concessions

Children under 5 are complimentary

Please bring along your own device and headphones to enjoy these tours.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE MAITLAND GAOL APP

The Maitland Gaol app can be downloaded through the Google Play Store or Apple Store. Search ‘Maitland Gaol’ and click the app to install. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code below.

PUBLIC GUIDED TOURS

Tours are scheduled on specific dates and times, please see the website for full details. Bookings are essential. (approximately 90 minutes in length)

Executions

Have you heard about Maitland Gaol history but want to dive a little deeper? The Executions tour unlocks a door into the past as we explore the executions at Maitland Gaol. 16 men were executed between 1843-1897 and now these men form an interesting part of our history.

150 Years Under Lock and Key

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

Escapes

On this tour of Maitland Gaol hear stories of amazing escapes from the unbelievable to the outright ludicrous.

Ex Warder

This escorted tour through Maitland Gaol is from the perspective of the men and women responsible for operating the facility.

Crimes of Passion

Crimes of passion shock and horrify, but also intrigue us. Listen to Maitland Gaol come to life with a series of stories focused on Crimes of Passion on this tour.

PARANORMAL EXPERIENCES

The Residence

Do you believe in the paranormal? Believers and non believers are fascinated by the psychic stories and phenomena told by our resident psychic guide.

Ghost Hunting 101

Always wondered what lingers in the dark at Maitland Gaol? Enjoy learning about the site whilst engaging with a series of technologies to explore under the guidance of experienced ghost hunters.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

PRIVATE TOURS AT MAITLAND GAOL

Have a group of 15 or more friends and family? Why not book in for a private themed tour of the Gaol. Get your social group, colleagues or friends together for a tour, available day or night.

Private group tours are available outside of regular day and night tour times, depending on the groups requirements. Scan the QR code to find out more:

For our school holiday activities please see inside.

SNITCH’S SPOOKY HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR

Bring your little witches and monsters to Maitland Gaol for this family friendly Halloween event.

Dress up in your most ghoulish attire and come along for a Monster Mash disco and a Snitch themed Trick or Treat scavenger hunt. There will be lollies galore, and we are even hosting a best dressed competition!

Dates: Tuesday 31 October

Time: 5.00pm - 9.00pm

Price:

Adult and Child Package - $20

Additional Child - $10

Additional Adult - $10

SNITCH’S SPRINGTIME SLEUTH

Snitch and his friends have been involved in a crime and we need help finding the culprit. Children will receive an activity book with clues to search the Gaol for Snitch and co. Once completed, the clues should create a prisoner description of the guilty character! This activity takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete and is suitable for all ages. With complete access to Maitland Gaol for the day, bring along a picnic and finish with Snitch’s Gaol Exploration self guided audio tour.

DATES: Wednesday 4 October

TIME: 10.00am

PRICE: $15 child and adult package

*This activity is for all ages. Children under the age of 8 might require adult help with the puzzles.

$10 additional child and $10 additional adult

WORKHOUSE WOES: SCARECROW SCAVENGER HUNT

Maitland Gaol needs help to build miniature scarecrows to ward off pesky birds and bugs away from the garden. To make it fun, participants break into groups, using clues and a map to find different pieces of the scarecrow. Once the pieces are found, the groups build and name their scarecrow. Children can take their mini scarecrow home or plant it in our garden for visitors to enjoy throughout the spring school holidays.

DATES: Tuesday 26 September and 3 October

TIME: 11.00am and 1.30pm

PRICE: $15 child and adult package

$10 additional child and $10 additional adult

JUNIOR SLEUTH: FINGERPRINTING

To get prisoners behind bars not only do you have to catch them, you have to process them. Junior sleuths will take a mini tour of the Gaol before learning how to dust for fingerprints. After which they can process their own fingerprints to take home as a souvenir of their visit to Maitland Gaol.

DATES: Thursday 28 September and 5 October

TIME: 11.00am and 1.30pm

PRICE: $15 child and adult package

$10 additional child and $10 additional adult

The program, times and dates are correct at the time of publishing. Maitland Gaol reserves the right to delete or alter any item in the program without notice. Bookings are essential for all events and activities. Child and adult package includes one child and one adult. A child is aged between 5 and 15 years.

Spring School Holidays 2023