Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
Visit Australia's former home of the criminally insane, the J Ward Lunatic Asylum, about two hours outside of Melbourne. During this evening experience, check out the museum that now sits here before the 2-hour guided ghost tour begins. The tour introduces you to some of the notorious criminals who resided in the ward, including Chopper Read, as you explore the grounds in search of the souls who still linger here.
Tours run every Friday & Saturday evening.
Live commentary
Local guide
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Departure Point
Girdlestone St, Ararat VIC 3377, Australia
Please meet at JWard Old Gaol , Girdlestone Street Ararat Victoria
Return Details
Girdlestone St, Ararat VIC 3377, Australia
Please meet at JWard Old Gaol , Girdlestone Street Ararat Victoria
1 Girdlestone St, Ararat VIC 3377, Australia Visit Australia's home to the criminally insane, 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. Explore the governor's bathroom, hangman's gallows, original kitchen, showerblock, grave sites, West Wing, J Ward Block, exercise yards and grounds in search of the souls that still linger. Learn of governors whose spirits are still lurking, prisoners buried in the grounds and the many souls trapped within these walls. 120 minutes
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum age is 12 years
Children 12 and over must be accompanied by a supervising adult ticket holder
Flat, comfortable shoes are recommended
The 2-hour tour is mostly indoors with moderate walking and some steps
Tours take place in wet weather; in the case of extreme weather, the local tour operator will contact you directly to offer alternative options
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
900graemes
12 Jun 2023
We had a great group of people and funny, informative and friendly guides.
Very entertaining and informative night out.
bronm2018
18 Apr 2023
Absolutely fantastic. Highly recommend you do this tour as well as Aradale. The history behind J-Ward and the inmates is something we should all learn about. Respect the history for the time it was open.
kond698
01 Nov 2022
I loved learning about J Ward from a historical perspective. It's history and the role it has played in terms of housing the "criminally insane" is in itself both sad and compelling. I think that the preservation of the buildings, cells and surrounding structures is paramount to Ararat and it represents a key tourist attraction. I also felt that the building itself is both claustrophobic and disturbing, making the additional "ghost related" activities somewhat unnecessary. The use of diving rods and so on, was I felt a little gimicky and really didn't add to the experience at all. The hosts were fantastic, very knowledgeable and told the story beautifully. I also thought that the scariest person there was the lady who held the keys, didn't speak a word all night, just threw out the odd smile but didn't engage with anybody. Could this be the one and only true ghost at J Ward?
This tour in
Victoria
is organized by
Lantern Ghost Tours
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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