Highlights
- Visit the home of the criminally insane at the J Ward Lunatic Asylum
- Enjoy an eerie ghost tour through the original asylum
- Gain access to the J Ward Museum and buildings not usually open to the public
Description
Meet at J Ward, Girdlestone Street, Ararat 3377. It is a 2.5-hour drive from Melbourne.
Dare to enter the dark heart of Australia’s criminal past at J Ward Lunatic Asylum—the notorious home for the criminally insane.
Once housing Victoria’s most dangerous men, including infamous figures like Chopper Read, Gary Webb, and William Wallace, this forbidding institution hides a legacy of madness, murder, and misery within its cold bluestone walls.
Begin your night with a chilling exploration of the museum, before plunging into a ghost tour like no other. Creep through the governor’s private bathroom, stand beneath the hangman’s gallows, and feel the chill of the original kitchen and shower block where whispers of the past still echo.
Venture through the haunted West Wing, the eerie J Ward Block, abandoned exercise yards, and shadowy grave sites—where prisoners lie buried beneath unmarked soil. Discover the tales of governors whose spirits are said to still stalk the corridors, and the many tormented souls that remain trapped inside, unable—or unwilling—to leave.
This is not just a tour… it’s a descent into Australia’s most haunted asylum, where the line between the living and the dead is terrifyingly thin.
Approximate Duration: 2 hours
Venue: Mainly Indoors
Terrain: Moderate walking, some steps
Paranormal Activity: Very High
*Due to the nature of stories, children must be 12+ for the J Ward Tour*
Includes
A ghost tour of approximately 2 hours
Museum access
Ghost host
Excludes
Hotel pick-up/drop off
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
