Attractions in Maitland, NSW
Maitland Gaol
Attractions in Maitland include the Old Maitland Gaol.
The Maitland Gaol, also known as Maitland Correctional Centre, is a heritage-listed former Australian prison located in East Maitland, New South Wales.
Located at 6-18 John Street, East Maitland, the Gaol was designed by Mortimer Lewis and completed in 1848. The foundation stone was laid in 1844. The design was modelled on London’s Pentonville Gaol. It operated continuously as a gaol until 1998. The gaol consists of a pair of two-storey buildings with gatehouse, cells and outer wall.
This was the site of the state’s last official flogging in 1905 when an inmate named Henry Clark received ten lashes. It was also the site of 16 hangings between 1843 and 1897.
By the time of its closure, on 31 January 1998, it had become the longest continuously-run gaol in Australia.
It has since been turned into a museum and is a popular tourist attraction. There are a range of tours of the gaol available from self-guided tours (Maitland Gaol Revealed takes around 90 minutes It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Caroline Chisholm’s Cottage
Interesting attractions in Maitland also include Caroline Chisholm’s Cottage.
Located at 10 Mill Street is Caroline Chisholm Cottage, built in 1840 by ‘Gentleman’ Smith. It became an immigrants’ home set up by Caroline Chisholm in 1842. However, its medical services were so in demand that it became a hospital, known as the Maitland Benevolent Asylum until a new building was erected for that purpose at West Maitland in 1846.
The original shingled roof still lies beneath the iron. Note that the twelve-paned windows are still intact.
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Maitland Gaol, John Street, East Maitland NSW, Australia
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