J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour
4.5
J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour
By Lantern Ghost Tours
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 16-99, max of 25 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Local guide
- Live commentary
- Entry/Admission - Ararat
What's not included- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Start:
- Girdlestone Street, Girdlestone St, Ararat VIC 3377, AustraliaPlease meet at JWard Old Gaol , Girdlestone Street Ararat Victoria
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6024P6- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- 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
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6024P6
From
AU$41.00
per adult
Select date and travellers
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- Girdlestone St, Ararat VIC 3377, AustraliaPlease meet at JWard Old Gaol , Girdlestone Street Ararat Victoria
- 1Visit 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.
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- 588alanam0 contributionsFun night outMy son (12) said it was scary! A fun night out and Georgia was a great storyteller and very generous with her time. The Rocks is a very atmospheric place for a nighttime walking tour. Bring a jacket!!Written 16 November 2024
- Getaway7899810 contributionsWonderful tour!Wonderful tour! So much fun! Guide was great, lots of historical information. Highly recommend for teens that love the macabre, my daughter loved it!Written 13 September 2024
- Whensvacay0 contributionsFun night out.Thor was our guide. He was wonderful and kind. He has good stories to tell and points out where ghosts have been seen. He was a good host, and took the extra time to wait five minutes for a group that was confused about where to meet. Then also made a stop where people could use the toilet.Written 20 July 2024
- Toowoombatourist0 contributionsFUN, NOT SPOOKY, GHOST TOURDefinitely not a spooky "ghost" tour if that's what you're after but a nice way to explore the back streets of The Rocks and hear some interesting stories of events that are part of The Rocks colourful history. The archaeological dig of the homes demolished during the years of the plague was an unexpected addition and probably worth a revisit in the daylight, if time permitted. Our guide Georgia was very enthusiastic and quite theatrical in her delivery of the tour. She allowed plenty of time at the photo-opportunity spots and kept the walking to an appropriate pace taking into consideration all of the group. There were some stairs involved and plenty of cobblestoned streets, but overall the tour should be manageable for both old and young.Written 24 March 2024
- 619jeffry0 contributionsAltona ghost tour is entertainingThis Altona Homestead ghost tour, with bright lanterns, is very entertaining. Altona Homestead was built in 1842, a pioneering property that has since served many useful purposes. Altona is an outer suburb. The bluestone residence has much to see at night. The homestead is near Port Philip Bay, almost on the waterfront. These days, it is the headquarters of the Altona Laverton Historical Society. Altona Homestead is 20 km (12 km) from the Melbourne CBD by car. By the way, a fee is charged, you can book on-line. It's popular with younger visitors.Written 3 March 2024
- craigz2550 contributionsDon’t waste your money on this tourNot recommended,tour guide walked to fast,left group to find own way,history stories were to long and boring,This tour is just a money maker,don’t waste your money on this tour.Written 24 November 2023
- Z2665VJfrancot0 contributionsGood tour, shame about the "spoilers"Beautiful homestead, history and surrounding land. Great host, well guided. Shame for the group of disrespectful idiots that decided to "party" halfway through that ruined it for the rest of the group. If I knew this demographic were on the tour I would not have booked and was on verge of demanding my money back or move my booking to another session.Written 20 August 2023
- eimaj1740 contributionsVery good!Jake was a very good guide. The sites were all very interesting. Not a super spooky ghost tour if that is what you're after, but the stories that were told were all told wonderfully. We unfortunately took our tour during Vivid which meant that the area was very crowded and sometimes it was hard to hear. Another family bought a lot of light up flashy sword with them that their kids waved around the whole tour as well which did kind of kill the vibe for our group but booking this tour during Vivid was our mistake so no points off the tour group for that one. I would recommend that items such as those are turned off or asked to be turned off out of respect for other tour goers though. Lots of walking through interesting alley ways in the rocks and overall an enjoyable experience on the tour groups part 😊 would definitely recommend.Written 17 June 2023
- lisamN9668TT0 contributionsEnjoyable walking tour for most age groups!My 79 year old Mum, 11 year old nephew and I did the Ghost Tour in The Rocks last Saturday night, and we all really enjoyed it! Jake our guide was excellent and explained every story really well, and answered any questions that the group asked him. We saw a fair bit of The Rocks and just for the history side of things alone, it was really interesting (not to mention the spooky stories which were great, too!) Luckily for us it was a clear night and no rain, and the views from up on Observatory Hill were spectacular! There's quite a bit of walking and some stairs involved, so wear comfy shoes and take water with you. My nephew was fascinated with some of the stories and is still talking about it. Great fun for anyone aged 10 or above, and Jake is an excellent guide.Written 3 April 2023
- friday02060 contributionsNice thing to do in the eveningIt’s an interesting perspective to Sydney history and night scene. Though, if you are looking for a really haunting and creepy experience, it’s not that.Written 18 January 2023
- S80IAthomasf0 contributionsIntriguing excitementI had a great time, my wife and I had a few experiences on the tour and looking back through the photos I took I spotted a few odd things that were interesting. The tour guide had amazing knowledge of the sites. I will be recommending this tour to my friends.Written 4 December 2022
- 624taniaj0 contributionsGreat time.We took our daughters age 9yrs and 13 on this ghost tour. It was so much fun, Jake was an awesome guide. Definitely recommend this fun, interesting tour of The Rocks.Written 24 September 2022
- zozos6470 contributionsThere are talking all night so I have to goBad walking all night in the street in the end I said I’m going toilet then I lost there no one call me backWritten 6 August 2022
- V8413CKmargareth0 contributionsFun Night Out!We didn't really expect much, but boy was it fun! Jake is a great guide and we saw parts of the Rocks that we've never seen before and we are locals! This is a fun walking tour well worth doing.Written 18 July 2022
- 934marnii0 contributionsHighly recommendMy daughter and I went on the Rocks Ghost tour tonight and it was great! Highly recommend! Our tour guide was friendly, informative and fun! Great way to see the Rocks and learn some history of the beautiful old cobblestone alley ways and streets, with a bit of an eerie edge.Written 13 May 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.5
18 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
6
Average
1
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0
Terrible
1
Dee F
Darwin, Australia6 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Bought tickets, organised accommodation in Ararat, took time off work, drove from Melbourne, turned up early for tour, there was no one there. Tour had been cancelled and we weren’t informed. Really disappointed, rang on return to Melbourne, no one could help, no one would even refund my money!
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Dee, oh that doesn't sound right at all. On the rare occasion we need to cancel a tour we are sure to not only email but personal phone all guests on our tours. Please may we ask you to phone our office and we will look into what happened. Detail are on all tickets
Written 22 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PhilA
3 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
This is an interesting and informative tour, which gives a concise and detailed history about J Ward's infamous past. It is a little confronting when you hear about some of the detainees stories, which are well presented by the guides. You receive access into a lot of areas inside the asylum, which itself is a wonderful and historic collection of buildings, including the underground kitchens.
We didn't find any ghosts, despite our best efforts with the divining rods, but this makes the two hour tour a bit of fun and lightens the experience which is good.
We didn't find any ghosts, despite our best efforts with the divining rods, but this makes the two hour tour a bit of fun and lightens the experience which is good.
Written 17 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello , we are happy to hear you enjoyed the tour at JWard and found the tour interesting & informative . We hope to see you again on another Lantern Ghost Tour
Written 25 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jan T
Geelong, Australia102 contributions
Feb 2020
Interesting tour, however we were confused with what we had purchased & thought we were meant to be on the Asylum tour. At 9.15 at night we had to drive across town to get to the gaol & then find out even though we had booked & paid, our names werent on the list for that particular night. Another couple that evening also found themselves in the same situation.Guides were knowledgeable,and while its cold & dark , not a spooky evening if thats what your after.
Written 2 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good morning Jan , thanks for adding your review . Lantern Ghost Tours staff are not volunteers at all, all staff are paid employees who are trained to host our tours.
It can get confusing regarding the two different venues in Ararat , Victoria . At Lantern Ghost Tours we always add all details and send our guests maps to help avoid this happening. If you can please contact our office with more details we would like to see what happened on the evening you attended , details are on your tickets
Happy Haunting.
Written 21 May 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
thomasab2021
Cranbourne, Australia1 contribution
Mar 2021
It was an interesting history lesson. I felt sad for the inmates but then that was how way-wood criminals were treated back in the time. Interesting hearing about some of the characters that were housed in J ward. We caught a couple of apparitions in a couple of photos that we took.
Written 4 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Thomas, thanks for your review.
It's great to hear you found the history of the venue interesting and you captured some paranormal on camera. We would love to see your photos , details on tickets
Happy Haunting!
Written 6 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Somapesu
Melbourne, Australia61 contributions
Feb 2021
Our group of 14 did the ghost tour on a Saturday night. We had 2 great guides who were very knowledgeable and really brought the stories from the asylum to life. Everything does seem eerier at night! Highly recommended if you are staying in or around Ararat.
Written 11 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JWard , what an amazing venue , so glad your group joined us on tour. Something to add to your bucket list to visit ,
Hope to see you all again on another Lantern Ghost Tour
Written 12 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Daniel M
1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Couples
This was a really good experience. The host was great, very spiritual but not over the top. It's a shame that there were so many rude people trying to be funny and talk over the top of her, but she definitely handled it well.
Written 22 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Daniel , thanks for joining us on tour at JWard . We are pleased to hear you enjoyed the tour and sorry other guests on tour were not as interested , we are happy the guide was able to sort this issue out
Happy Haunting!
Written 25 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nooshie2014
Melbourne, Australia22 contributions
We enjoyed learning the very tragic history. Particularly the absurd treatment of the men who were sentenced.
The girls who conducted the tour keep close to facts, and had all the tour intrigued with the incidents that have and still occur
The girls who conducted the tour keep close to facts, and had all the tour intrigued with the incidents that have and still occur
Written 9 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelbourneDebby
Ballarat, Australia7 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
Experience was amazing, the whole family enjoyed the night. Lots of details of life behind the bars of J Ward. Stories of hauntings and terrible tales.
Written 12 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for joining us on tour , so great to read your review. JWard is an amazing venue we are happy to hear your family enjoyed the tour
Happy Haunting!
Written 15 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,657 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
J Ward was a psychiatric institution in Ararat. J Ward was mainly for the criminally insane. Since the inpatients were transferred to other institutions, J Ward has been opened up for ghost tours. This former "lunatic asylum" is a reminder of the ethical challenges involved in the mental health involved in this forensic mental hospital in Ararat. The ghost tour can be a bit alarming, but it arouses your interest and curiosity; it's definitely worthwhile.
Written 4 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kim p
Campbelltown, Australia46 contributions
A great history lesson about the place and some people that were there, No scary stuff occurred while we were there but still it was a fun night
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello , thanks for your review on the JWard ghost tour , we are glad to hear you enjoyed the history and stories
Happy Haunting!
Written 22 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.