J Ward Museum

Excellent tour. We had Peter, he was very polite and informative, he answered all our questions and provided excellent knowledge of the gaol/hospital during the 2hr tour. Very old and well maintained buildings and grounds. Well worth a visit

Peter was our tour guide and he was great. Telling us historic facts and interesting stories that have happened at this place over the years. Our tour had quite a few people in it, and am glad we were able to get on it, it would have been better, I feel, with less people. I would like to have more time to read all the stories of the inmates. Otherwise, it was certainly a good way to spend a couple of hours in Ararat.

The entire family absolutely loved the tour...our guide was amazing... highly recommend.

Wow Rob was a great tour guide. The stories he told were interesting and hair raising as well. This place has lots if history. So well presented and well maintained. Rob asked if we wanted to see the 12 min DVD with some of the prisoners on and yes that was worth it. One prisoner or should I say patient believed he was Princess Margarets partner and waited for the queen to release him. He had to have his front teeth removed cos he had a habit of biting people! Sad that people were locked up like this but some were extremely dangerous. I am really can’t recommend this place enough

We enjoyed our visit, loved learning and hearing about its history. Highly recommend a visit! We did however find ourselves torn between listening to the tour guides awesome stories or reading all the other stories (or get left behind :)). Would come back, maybe a self-guided tour would also be a nice alternative to pace ourselves?

Great history and preserved beautifully. Highly recommend.Harry was an awesome tour guide.

Great little Museum, the buildings and grounds are in great shape and it appears original. Lots of history and interesting information. Great price. Staff are friendly and informative. I found having to take a guided tour unnecessary (and to long) particularly as at the end of the tour you are free to wander around the place on your own. Well worth a visit.

I selected to do a guided tour rather than wonder around on my own. It was really great and well worth the money, especially since all ticket sales go towards maintaining the place. I was lucky to be the only one there on Sunday afternoon, so I got the VIP experience with Harry.I found him to be very knowledgeable and more than happy to answer any questions I had. Harry had plenty of stories to tell and even his very own personal link to JWard. I got to wander around the jail section by myself for 15mins at one point but the highlight was getting to go up into the guard tower.I recommend doing a guided tour as you'll get to see sections of the place that you'll not be able to see wandering around on your own.

Fantastic tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable of the history and made the whole experience very enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys the early history of the area.

Very interesting, an insight intohistorical prison & asylum system. Our guide was fabulous & we enjoyed the historical video over a cuppa & biscuits at the end of the tour.