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Culture & history
Seasonal & Holiday Activities
Entry tickets
Visit Australia's home to the criminally insane, and Ararat's most visited attraction: the J Ward Lunatic Asylum. Explore the museum, followed by a ghost tour of the home of notorious criminals including Chopper Read, Gary Webb and William Wallace.
Highlights
Visit the home of the criminally insane at the J Ward Lunatic Asylum
Enjoy a eerie ghost tour through the original asylum
Gain access to the J Ward Museum and buildings not usually open to the public
Description
Be incarcerated for the evening at Australia's home to the criminally insane: the famous J Ward Lunatic Asylum.
Meet at J Ward, Girdlestone Street, Ararat in the evening and commence the tour with free museum access to explore the memorabilia of the past including straight jackets, electro shock therapy devices, and fascinating patient records.
After exploring the museum, enjoy a guided ghost tour of approximately 2 hours through the home of notorious criminals such as Chopper Read, Gary Webb and William Wallace. Explore the governor's bathroom, the hangman's gallows, the original kitchen, the showerblock, the grave sites, the West Wing, the J Ward Block, and the exercise yards and grounds in search of the souls that still linger, and hear the terrifying stories of murdered inmates and prisoners buried in the grounds as you explore the property.
Tours run every Friday and Saturday evening at 9:30 PM.
Includes
A ghost tour of approximately 2 hours
Museum access
Ghost host
Important Information
There are steps, so unfortunately people with mobility restrictions will not be able to access all areas.
This is a slow, walking tour so the ability to walk at a slow pace for up to 2 hours is required.
Minimum age is 12 years old.
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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