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.
About this ticket
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- COVID-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 2 hours
- Check availability to see starting times.
- Instant confirmation
Experience
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
Full 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
- Hotel pick-up/drop off
COVID-19 precautions
Safety measures in place
- All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
- Customers must keep distance in vehicles
- The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Meeting point
J Ward is 2.5-hour drive from Melbourne, with free street car parking. J Ward is a 10-minute walk from Ararat Train Station • Turn right down Birdwood Avenue towards the town centre • Turn right up Queen Street • Turn left down Girdlestone Street • J Ward is located at the end of the street on the right-hand side
Open in Google Maps ⟶Important information
Know before you go
- 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.
