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Maitland Gaol

Step back in time at the Maitland Gaol, where you can glimpse the history of one of the state's most well known prisons. This gaol has 150 years of history as a maximum security prison, and now visitors can explore its walls and learn about its past and the stories within. Maitland Gaol offers night tours like the Ex Warder Guided Tour with a knowledgeable guide learning harrowing stories of inmates from the perspective of someone who worked at the gaol for 20 years. There is also the Executions Guided Night Tour, where you will discover the history of capital punishment and share the crimes that could lead to such a fate.

Fun at Maitland Gaol

While the gaol offers tours and a learning experience about the inmates and workers of the Maitland Gaol, there are other experiences on offer that visitors can participate in. These include laser tag and an escape room experience that are run within the gaol. Battlezone Playlive Laser Tag allows you to immerse yourself in gameplay in a realistic environment. Choose your weapon and head out onto the field in a realistic laser tag experience on the field. This is an excellent activity for all ages and a fun way to explore the gaol. Get Out Escape Rooms offers a unique experience, putting yourself inside a maximum security prison, plotting and trying to escape your execution before the warden comes to collect you. These activities are sure to get your blood pumping.

Visit the Maitland Regional Art Gallery

Discover the terrific art showcase at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery. Stroll through the gallery space and admire the diverse collections of Australian art that range from the 1850s to today. There have been award-winning exhibitions on display of all art forms, and with exhibitions constantly rotating, there is always something new to see. The art gallery hosts wonderful events for the community and great workshops for all ages to get involved in and learn new artistic skills from knowledgeable teachers. Check out the gallery’s upcoming events and workshops so you can book and not miss out.

The Levee

Nestled in the heart of town is The Levee, Maitland’s lifestyle precinct. The Levee runs parallel to the Hunter River, which provides a beautiful backdrop while you spend time browsing stores. Within this lifestyle precinct, you will find just about everything you need from a range of stores to indulge in retail therapy. There are many restaurants and cafes of varying cuisines to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger, and there is also a diverse selection of services offered, including massage parlours, nail salons, and so much more. There is plenty to see, shop and do at the Levee.

Maitland Rail Museum

The Maitland Rail Museum is a captivating attraction for rail enthusiasts and history lovers. The Museum, located in Maitland, showcases the historical significance of the railway in this town and displays a pristinely preserved Victorian Railway that has stood the test of time and avoided newer technology. It was the last in Australia used for restoration and operation of steam trains for commercial purposes and is used as an exhibition of materials and records that were used in the settlement and transformation of Maitland. It is a delightful slice of history with interpretive displays, equipment, tools and other artefacts used by the railway.

Central Maitland Heritage Walk

If you’re a history buff, then this one is for you. Get your walking shoes on and head out into the town of Maitland on a self-guided walking tour of Maitland’s historical buildings. The heritage walk guides you through the town to 35 stops for a walk of around 3.5km. Throughout the history tour, you will see town landmarks such as the beautiful Railway Station, the historical Dimmocks Building and St John's Pro Cathedral. Admire the architecture of these historic buildings as you wander Maitland. The Central Maitland Heritage Walk comes with a downloadable map where you can plot the best path to take and has an information sheet with additional information about each of the buildings on the walk.  

Maitland Community Markets

The Maitland Community Markets are held on 84 acres of showground site, making this a huge market. On every 1st Saturday of the month, with indoor and outdoor stalls, these community markets are one you won't want to miss. There are themed markets throughout the year, including Autumn Festival, Christmas in July, Easter Fair and Christmas Markets to mix things up and a diverse range of stalls that set up shop. You can find everything from fresh produce, fashion, art, accessories, hot coffee and food, gourmet pantry items and more from local growers, bakers, makers and curators. There’s something for everyone.

The Levee Riverbank

The Levee Riverbank is located in the centre of Maitland. This beautiful river is a focal point of the town and is loved by locals. It’s a lovely spot to come for a walk with your furry friends, an early morning run to start your day, a ride with a charming backdrop, or even a fantastic spot to throw a picnic rug down with a few friends and catch up. There are multiple access points along the river, allowing visitors to spread out without being cramped together, making The Levee Riverbank a terrific location for the everyday. There are also a variety of events that are held along the banks of The Levee, such as Taste, New Year’s Eve celebrations and Riverlights Multicultural Festival, to name a few.

Maitland Aroma Festival

Wake up your senses to some wonderful aromas at the Maitland Aroma Festival. If you’re in the Maitland region in August, stop by the festival to indulge your senses in delicious and decadent food. The festival is a terrific showcase of mouth-watering food and fantastic drinks for visitors to try. There is a wide range of stalls that feature very talented baristas brewing freshly ground coffee beans, expert chocolatiers offering up rich chocolatey treats, specialty winemakers from the region serving quality wines, other brewers, bakers, and sweet and savoury stalls that all work to pump out mouth-watering foods to feed the crowds that wander through over the weekend.