Maitland Jail - tour with an ex-inmate

I spent last weekend on a mini-break to the Hunter Valley with a busload of friends. In charge of the itinerary, I leapt at the chance to include a visit to Maitland Gaol, the longest continuously running correctional facility in Australia when it closed in 1998.

Dating back to the 1840s, Maitland Gaol is now a heritage site that has become a popular tourist attraction. We joined the 1.5 hour tour led by an ex-inmate, a fascinating if sobering journey that included plenty of prison anecdotes, horror stories, violence and a few too many gory and grisly details for some.

I found it fascinating though. If anything, it makes you appreciate natural light, space and personal freedom. And as I walked into each tiny, stark and dimly lit cell, I knew there were many more stories, if only those walls could talk.


Razor wire


View looking up from the ground floor of B-wing
- prison cells line each side of the building;
the grille floor between each level was put in to prevent falls and "accidents"


Prison cells in B-wing
- each door weighs between 80-100kg


Shower cells in the shower block


Rear entrance to the administration block


Segregation cells
- these outdoor exercise yards included showers and toilet and were
used by inmates who required protection from other inmates


Crown seal


Information for inmates


Confiscated weapons made by inmates

Maitland Gaol
6-18 John Street, East Maitland, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 4936 6482

Ex-inmate day tours operate on Saturday and Sunday 11am
Adults $15, Concession $12
Must be pre-booked and pre-paid
Restricted to over 14-year-olds due to explicit tour content

Self-guided audio tours operate daily 10am-4pm
Adults $12, Concession $10

Related GrabYourFork posts:
Hunter Valley 2008/1: Maitland Gaol tour
Hunter Valley 2008/2: Morpeth Pie Man and Morpeth Sourdough
Hunter Valley 2008/3: Dinner at the Newcastle Travelodge Hotel
Hunter Valley 2008/4: Vineyards and cheese tasting

Hunter Valley 2007/1: Cessnock
Hunter Valley 2007/2: Vineyards, cheeseshops and an olive centre
Hunter Valley 2007/3: Lunch at Harrigan's Irish Pub
Hunter Valley 2007/4: A vineyard, cheeseshop and beer brewery
Hunter Valley 2007/5: Dinner at Chez Pok