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Maitland Gaol
Maitland Gaol
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
Unlock the gates of Maitland Gaol today, where visitors are invited to 'serve time' learning about the facility, past prisoners and daring escapes. A key anchor attraction of the Hunter, Maitland Gaol housed some of Australia's most hardened and notorious criminals and has a vibrant history spanning more than 150 years. Open 7 days, Maitland Gaol offers visitors the opportunity to indulge in a world class self guided audio tour. Additionally, themed guided day tours and torchlight tours by night are regularly available and are a great way to interpret this unique attraction. If you have any questions about Maitland Gaol, please contact our Customer Service team. We look forward to welcoming you to Maitland Gaol soon.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
252 reviews
Excellent
146
Very good
88
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
6
Al S
Australia10 contributions
July 2021
Do not bother with this tour. The tour guide was extremely unprofessional. The following points can be said. Tour guide was late and clearly indicated she did not want to be there. She had no control or direction over the group including COVID safety. Used profanity during the tour and was more absorbed and frequently promoted her private business.
Did not seem interested in any historical questions and told rather elaborate and unbelieving stories. Also told stories about other tour guides rather than actual events at the goal.
Had no control to the point that one participant had an SLR camera that she continued for two hours to take photos to the point we were continuously blinded and when a complaint was made she dismissed it as she wanted any good photos to be put on her Facebook page. It totally ruined the night.
At the end of the evening we spent at least 45 minutes watching her give readings to people we did not know. It was boring and unnecessary and obviously a plug for her business.
After this, she did not bother to do a count of people there, she wandered off with two other group participants and got some random to open the gates for us. No goodbye, nothing.
To say the least it was by far the most unprofessional, boring and worse tour we have ever been on. I would like our money back.
BTW at the beginning she had two extra people there that were not booked on the tour and said she couldn’t be bothered to check peoples tickets.
Did not seem interested in any historical questions and told rather elaborate and unbelieving stories. Also told stories about other tour guides rather than actual events at the goal.
Had no control to the point that one participant had an SLR camera that she continued for two hours to take photos to the point we were continuously blinded and when a complaint was made she dismissed it as she wanted any good photos to be put on her Facebook page. It totally ruined the night.
At the end of the evening we spent at least 45 minutes watching her give readings to people we did not know. It was boring and unnecessary and obviously a plug for her business.
After this, she did not bother to do a count of people there, she wandered off with two other group participants and got some random to open the gates for us. No goodbye, nothing.
To say the least it was by far the most unprofessional, boring and worse tour we have ever been on. I would like our money back.
BTW at the beginning she had two extra people there that were not booked on the tour and said she couldn’t be bothered to check peoples tickets.
Written 22 July 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.
We're sorry to hear you have had such a negative experience on this tour AI S and we'd love to turn this around for you. You have also raised some serious issues we would like to further investigate internally. Can you please email simon.farrow@maitland.nsw.gov.au as so we can collect some more information and talk about getting you back on site for a positive experience.
Written 11 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nick M
Frenchs Forest, Australia1,003 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
We took the self guided tour, using the gaols app, and it was very informative. There are 25 recordings to listen to as you meander through the various blocks.
The place has been kept really well, and looks like maintenance is ongoing.
The recommended time to look around is between 0.5-1.5 hours; we took nearly 2.5 hours. (We wanted to take it all in. )
Definitely worth a visit.
The place has been kept really well, and looks like maintenance is ongoing.
The recommended time to look around is between 0.5-1.5 hours; we took nearly 2.5 hours. (We wanted to take it all in. )
Definitely worth a visit.
Written 9 April 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.
AJ H
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Business
We took a school group to Maitland Gaol recently and found it an excellent educational experience. Our guide, Col, was extremely knowledge, articulate and patient with the students. As a former warder, he shared some very interesting insights into daily life within the gaol. I would highly recommend a guided tour with Col.
Written 16 November 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.
roger t
Coffs Harbour, Australia7 contributions
Jan 2021
Really interesting place, and so glad I can see it and be allowed to walk out at the end of the day. A tip for you... when you download the tour app it stays on your phone even after you have left the gaol, this is especially handy of you have impatient members in your group who don't want to listen to all of the narrative, ie it means you can listen to it later on your own.
Only thing I would ask to change is to be allowed up to the guards walk on the perimeter wall and to see the towers, otherwise really good. Roger
Only thing I would ask to change is to be allowed up to the guards walk on the perimeter wall and to see the towers, otherwise really good. Roger
Written 17 January 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.
We are so glad you enjoyed your experience at Maitland Gaol. We are working on including a Tower Experience over the next few years as part of our masterplan. Thank you for the review.
Written 18 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Angie Stern-Lynch 👫
Newcastle, Australia3,744 contributions
Mar 2021 • Friends
Fantastic tour with a great insight of the goal...
Hearing about the history and seeing the cells was a major eye opener ...
Our tour guide was fantastic had an answer for all questions group was small and totally COVID safe.
Definitely going back for the ghost tour 😀
Hearing about the history and seeing the cells was a major eye opener ...
Our tour guide was fantastic had an answer for all questions group was small and totally COVID safe.
Definitely going back for the ghost tour 😀
Written 16 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.
We are so glad you enjoyed your experience at Maitland Gaol. Thank you for the review.
Written 17 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bugger49
Umina Beach, Australia114 contributions
Mar 2021
Very interesting to wander through and see exactly what gaols use to look like, not like todays holiday camps. Some of the ares were locked (Hospital) because of Covid. I can only imagine what it would have been like 100 years ago, not a nice place to be.
Written 4 March 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.
We are so glad you enjoyed your experience at Maitland Gaol. Thank you for the review.
Written 18 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patrick R
Sydney, Australia825 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
What a great experience.
So much history here. We loved the self guided tour, and will be traveling back to Maitland to do the torch light tour.
Be sure to allow a full 2 hours to complete the self guided tour, this way you are not rushed, and it will allow you to take photos and take in the surroundings at a good pace..
Last admission is at 3pm, and they promptly shut at 4pm.
Great way to spend a few hours.
So much history here. We loved the self guided tour, and will be traveling back to Maitland to do the torch light tour.
Be sure to allow a full 2 hours to complete the self guided tour, this way you are not rushed, and it will allow you to take photos and take in the surroundings at a good pace..
Last admission is at 3pm, and they promptly shut at 4pm.
Great way to spend a few hours.
Written 22 May 2017
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.
JessPlusFour
East Maitland, Australia58 contributions
June 2017 • Friends
My title says it all. Went on a ghost tour, it was interesting. Came back for a different tour 7 months later and was pretty bored. It's something you need to see once though.
Written 13 October 2017
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.
Tracey G
Morpeth, Australia1 contribution
Mar 2012 • Couples
I`m afraid my partner and I can`t write an actual review as we only got to see the outside of the prison.!!! We turned up there about 1.30pm today Saturday 24th of March and the receptionist said hello to my partner and then said hello to someone on the telephone and began a conversation with that person.We walked a few meters down the hall and looked at the artwork on display ,all the while waiting for the receptionist to get off the phone,we are reasonable people but you could tell by the conversation it wasn`t a hurried one nor likely one to be ended soon,so we walked away and we will not return!!! Customer service is apalling and if that lady worked for me I would have sacked her then and there!!!
Written 24 March 2012
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.
Food & Sightseeing - True & Fair Review
Sydney, Australia1,128 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
We've a good look of the place from outside, spoke with the receptionist to understand what it's inside, and arrived at the decision that it's not worth an entrance fee of $23 per person. We've wasted a traveling of 23x2 km from the city.
Written 25 May 2019
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.
Could you please advise me of the entrance fees for the Gaol ..I will be visiting Maitland at the end of April & am interested in seeing the Gaol/ Thanks Jo
Written 1 March 2016
Hi Jo, the self guided audio tour is $22 for adults ($16 for concession/children) and runs 10am-3pm. There are other guided tours available for a slightly higher price i.e. $28 Cheers, Marc
Written 2 March 2016
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