Old Gundagai Gaol - Family Ghost Hunt

Here is some fun for the whole family!

Join the experienced ghost hunting team at APPI Ghost Hunts & Tours - the Official Paranormal Researchers of Old Gundgai Gaol - as we take you from building to building, trying to make contact with any ghostly inmates who may still reside behind these sandstone walls...

At APPI, we like to use the three S's.... Scientific - Spiritual - Senses.

• Scientific = using the scientifically designed paranormal equipment to try and make contact with the spirit world.
• Spiritual = using spiritual methods to speak to anyone who may still be around.
• Senses = Learning to trust your own intuition and gut feelings.

This event is for entertainment purposes, and will be conducted in the dark, so please bare that in mind if you wish to bring little ones. It may be too scary for them.

If you are a grown up - please be aware that there WILL be children on this tour, and the adult session later in the night may be more appropriate for you.

These ghost hunts are run in agreement with the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.

HISTORY

Following the devastating 1852 flood, the town lock-up needed to be rebuilt as a watch-house or gaol. Alexander Dawson, the colonial architect, designed the building and Charles Hardy won the tender for it’s construction in 1859. Hardy and Hodson builders completed further additions in 1861, and in 1863 a kitchen was built for the gaol, designed by James Barner, the Government Architect. The magnificent stone boundary wall which still stands today was constructed in 1866.

The gaol consists of a cluster of structures including, The Gaolers residence, the external kitchen block, the hospital (original gaol), the gaol including exercise yard, an outhouse, outbuilding, a well and archaeological remains.

Prisoners with short-term sentences who had been sentenced at Gundagai or at courts in the surrounding district were incarcerated in the Gundagai Gaol. Prisoners, including bushrangers, who were in transit to other gaols were also accommodated there. Although no longer in use, Gundagai Gaol is one of the few remaining gaol compounds dating from 1859 and a rare and largely intact example of its type.

In 1870 the Gundagai Gaol was classed as a ‘lock-up’ or ‘proclaimed gaol’ and could accommodate from four to twenty prisoners. During this year the actual number of prisoners received included 4 debtors; 19 males and 2 females awaiting trial; 55 males and 3 females ‘in transit’; 11 males under sentence to labour; 7 males and 3 females sentenced to imprisonment; with none in solitary confinement. The greatest number received at one time totaled 9.

Gundagai Gaol was closed in the 1970’s and a holding cell was constructed at the Gundagai Police Station in Byron Street.

Please note: Because of the way the Old Gaol was constructed and the slope of the land, it is difficult to access for those with limited mobility. We are sorry for the inconvenience. There are stairways to navigate and uneven pathways.

COVID-19 Safety & Cleaning Protocols:

We take standards for hygiene and cleanliness very seriously and are taking steps to ensure the safety of our guests and staff. Our health and safety measures require a thorough cleansing of each area and piece of paranormal investigation equipment prior to its use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What additional health and safety measures are you taking?
A: The health and safety of our guests and staff are our biggest priority. We continue to exercise caution with regards to our re-opening strategy to ensure it is in line with the most up-to-date government advice. We have been advanced in preparations to ensure guests and team members are in the safest possible environment. These measures include staff training, continued focus on cleaning protocols and capacity limitations.

Q: What ages are able to join this ghost hunt?
A: If you have any budding paranormal investigators, this tour is for them! This event is for families to come along for a fun night out. It may be a little scary, but we can tailor it to the age of the children - for example, instead of going into a cell in the dark, you can take lanterns/torches with you etc. We are experienced at showing kids a good time, so all they need to do is come with an open mind, and play with some paranormal equipment.

Please refer to our further terms and conditions prior to purchasing your ticket.