Maitland Gaol winter school holidays

AT MAITLAND GAOL THIS WINTER

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 just for kids.

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 kids, 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 Playstore or Apple store. Search ‘Maitland Gaol’ and click the app to install.

Alternatively, you can scan the QR code below:

PUBLIC GUIDED TOURS

Unlock the stories at Maitland Gaol with one of our themed guided tours. You can learn about the Gaol’s history and operation, hear personal accounts, discover true stories or explore the supernatural. Tours are scheduled on specific dates and times, please see the website for full details. Bookings are essential.

GUIDED TOURS AVAILABLE

(approx. 90 minute in length)

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

Hear stories of amazing escapes at Maitland Gaol from the unbelievable to the outright ludicrous.

Ex Warder

This escorted tour through the 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.

Hurled into Eternity

Have you heard all about Maitland Gaol history but want to dive a little deeper? Hurled into Eternity 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.

PARANORMAL EXPERIENCES The Residence

Built in the 1800s, the Lieutenant Governor’s Residence, has never before been available to visitors for paranormal investigation. Maitland Gaol has partnered with Newcastle Ghost Tours, to offer a special opportunity to access this building and search for paranormal activity. This experience will only be available for a strictly limited time, as the building is slated for redevelopment.

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? 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 group requirements.

Email info@maitlandgaol.com.au for more information about private tours.

BEANBAG CINEMA:

PADDINGTON 2

Take the kids to Maitland Gaol for a special indoor screening of Paddington 2. Escape the cold weather, pack your favourite snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, and join us in the Gaol Auditorium for this special school holiday film. Maitland Gaol will have limited supply of beanbags for the kids and some chairs for the adults, however you are more than welcome to bring your own blankets but please no chairs.

Paddington is back in this live action animated comedy film. Paddington tries to get a present for his adoptive aunt’s birthday, but the intended gift is stolen from the shop. The cute as a button bear is wrongfully convicted and imprisoned, with his family having to find the real culprit while Paddington tries to stay out of trouble in the big house.

Full of laughs for the little ones and young at heart, this is a wholesome family friendly event.

DATES: Wednesday 12 July

TIME: 10.00am

PRICE: $15 child and adult package $10 additional child and $10 additional adult *limited tickets

WORKHOUSE WOES: CONVICT CONSTRUCTION

Over it’s 150 year operation, Maitland Gaol has seen the construction and removal of buildings, nearly all assisted by prison labour. Why not enjoy a mini tour of the site exploring the sandstone buildings with an expert guide, before building your very own 3D paper model of one of the buildings on site. Can you build the Gaol from the ground up?

DATES: Tuesday 4 and 11 July

TIME: 11.00am and 1.30pm

PRICE: $15 child and adult package

$10 additional child and $10 additional adult

JUNIOR SLEUTH: WORD DETECTIVE

In order to solve crimes, detectives often have to sift through a series of clues first. During this activity children will be given a puzzle, the clues for which will be provided by the guide during the one hour mini tour of the site. At the conclusion of the tour, children will have the opportunity to piece together the clues and solve the crime.

DATES: Thursday 6 and 13 July

TIME: 11.00am and 1.30pm

PRICE: $15 child and adult package $10 additional child and $10 additional adult

SNITCH’S GREAT ESCAPE

Snitch and his friends are hidden throughout the site, and we have provided hints to their whereabouts on a map. But Snitch is sneaky, and we don’t know where he could be! Be the first to find Snitch and all his friends to win a prize. Stay after the hunt to explore using your own device on Snitch’s self guided audio tour. We’ll also have arts, crafts, and other fun activities on the day.

Join Snitch and the gang for a Great Escape!

DATES: Wednesday 5 July

TIME: 10.00am

PRICE: $15 child* and adult package $10 additional child and $10 additional adult *ages 4 and above, all children must be accompanied by an 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.

July 2023

150 Years Under Lock and Key tour

Ex-Warder tour

Escapes tour

Self guided audio tours are available all day

Workhouse Woes: Convict Construction

Junior Sleuth: Word Detective Hurled Into Eternity

The Residence

Ghost Hunting 101 Crimes of Passion night tour

Snitch’s Scavenger Hunt

Beanbag Cinema: Paddington 2