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J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour

27 Reviews 4.52 out of 5 stars Based on 27 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 93% of reviewers
93% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Ballarat, Australia
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from $30.95 per person

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GRAMPIANS: J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour VICTORIA
GRAMPIANS: J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour VICTORIA
GRAMPIANS: J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour VICTORIA
GRAMPIANS: J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour VICTORIA
GRAMPIANS: J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour VICTORIA

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On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.
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2 hours (approx.)
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Offered in: English

Overview

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 blue-stone walls.
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.
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.

What's Included

  • Live commentary
  • Local guide
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
See 2 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Girdlestone Street
Ararat VIC 3377, Australia

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

J Ward Museum

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.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-6024P6

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Reviews

4.52
27 reviews

Average 4.52 out of 5 stars based on 27 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
18
4 stars
7
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
1

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On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Live commentary.
  • Local guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Food and drinks.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 16. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for J Ward Lunatic Asylum Ghost Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

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  • Live commentary
  • Local guide
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Additional Info

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  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • 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
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
  • Operated by a business

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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

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