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  • Explore Victoria, Australia
  • Places to see
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  • Top sights
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  • Outside Victoria, Australia

Skull Rock, Victoria

Murray River

Cittadella, Gozo

Lake Mountain

Victoria Butterfly Gardens

Royal British Columbia Museum

Fairmont Empress Hotel

Craigdarroch Castle

Fisherman's Wharf, Victoria

Mount Hotham

Port Phillip Bay

Parliament Buildings, Victoria

Day trips

Viewing points

Island tours

Garden & park tours

Shore excursions

Melbourne

Healesville

Geelong

Ballarat

Sorrento, Victoria

Queenscliff

Breakaway Creek

Mount Buller

Nearby destinations

Phillip Island tours

Great Ocean Road tours

Yarra Valley tours

Mornington Peninsula tours

Australian Capital Territory tours

  • Top experiences
  • Interests

Bus & minivan tours

Private car tours

Kangaroo & koala experiences

Beach trips

Private cruises

Hiking

Zoos

Ski & snowboard

Hot springs

Balloon tours

Helicopter Tours

Water taxis & ferry tickets

Sightseeing

Outdoor activities

Food & drinks

Culture & history

Safaris & wildlife activities

Extreme sports & adrenaline

Nightlife & bars

Snow & winter sports

Hidden gems

Grampians: J Ward Lunatic Asylum Night Ghost Tour

4.3142858 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.3142858 out of 5 stars
35 reviews
Grampians: J Ward Lunatic Asylum Night Ghost Tour
4.3142858 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.3142858 out of 5 stars
35 reviews

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 for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 2 hours
Check availability to see starting times

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

A
Angela – Australia

this experience was absolutely amazing the ladies that guided our tour was fantastic!! would highly recommend u experience this we drove 2 hrs to do this and was praying it was worth it with it being on so late it definitely is!!

J
Jessica – Australia

It was great. Although not a huge amount of activity, learning the history was just as interesting! The kitchen is the most active spot. One of the kids who have passed held my hand, it definitely felt like a child. Such. Surreal experience! In the room we began in & finished in is where I felt the most uneasy & like someone was holding my arm back. Super strange but also cool

Select participants and date

Participants

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

Not suitable for

  • Children under 12 years

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

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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.

From $27 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 35 reviews

Review summary

  • Value for money
    4/5
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A
Angela – AustraliaSeptember 18, 2022 – Verified booking
this experience was absolutely amazing the ladies that guided our tour was fantastic!! would highly recommend u experience this we drove 2 hrs to do this and was praying it was worth it with it being on so late it definitely is!!
J
Jessica – AustraliaSeptember 30, 2023 – Verified booking
It was great. Although not a huge amount of activity, learning the history was just as interesting! The kitchen is the most active spot. One of the kids who have passed held my hand, it definitely felt like a child. Such. Surreal experience! In the room we began in & finished in is where I felt the most uneasy & like someone was holding my arm back. Super strange but also cool
T
Theona – AustraliaNovember 26, 2023 – Verified booking
We had a great guide who made it more interactive with interesting stories. Just would have liked more time to look through the museum.

Product ID: 41516

Activity provider:Lantern Ghost Tours
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  • Victoria, Australia
  • Things to do in Ararat
  • J Ward Museum

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