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Mayday Hills Asylum

4.3
·33 reviews·Beechworth, Australia

Explore Mayday Hills Asylum, a historic former psychiatric hospital in Beechworth, Victoria, known for its confronting past and haunted reputation.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Evenings

For the most atmospheric ghost tours

CrowdMedium
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Mayday Hills Asylum - Image 1

Mayday Hills Asylum

Best Time

Evenings

For the most atmospheric ghost tours

CrowdMedium

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore Mayday Hills Asylum, a historic former psychiatric hospital in Beechworth, Victoria, known for its confronting past and haunted reputation.

4.3
(33 reviews)

"A fascinating and confronting glimpse into Australia's dark psychiatric past."

Vertical photo
TIP

Book Ghost Tours Early

These tours are popular and sell out fast! Book online in advance.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the historic grounds and buildings.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.3 · 33 reviews

Type

Historical Landmark

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The 'Bull Pen'

The 'Bull Pen'

Former boys' accommodation

A chilling glimpse into the past, this area housed young boys aged 10-20.

Instagram
Infirmary and Lobotomy Wing

Infirmary and Lobotomy Wing

Former medical facilities

Explore where controversial medical procedures like lobotomies once took place.

Instagram
Chapel of the Resurrection

Chapel of the Resurrection

West of the site

Originally a mortuary, this building was converted into a chapel in the 1960s.

Reddit
Patient Graffiti and Markings

Patient Graffiti and Markings

Various interior walls

Discover fascinating and often disturbing scratch marks and graffiti left by former patients.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Book Tours in Advance

Popular ghost and history tours at Mayday Hills Asylum often sell out, especially during peak seasons. Booking online ahead of time is highly recommended to secure your spot and avoid disappointment. Instagram

Respect the History

Mayday Hills Asylum has a profound and often confronting history. Visitors are encouraged to approach their visit with respect for the former patients and staff. Stick to designated paths and tour areas. Reddit

Best Times

When
Evenings
Why
For the most atmospheric ghost tours
Crowd
Medium
When
Daytime
Why
For historical insights and less intense feel
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Trying something a little different with this edit flying over Mayday Hills - a decommissioned ‘lunatic asylum’ located in Beechworth. It was one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in Victoria and the buildings on the grounds are architecturally significant according to Heritage Victoria. They are an example of an extensive complex of Italianate-style asylum buildings dating from the 1860s, an...
jpcarmichael84
27 likes • 1.4K views

Book Ghost Tours Early

These tours are popular and sell out fast! Book online in advance. Instagram

Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the historic grounds and buildings. Instagram

Spent Saturday night doing a ghost tour of Mayday Hills Asylum. Mayday Hills Asylum, opened in 1867 in Beechworth, Victoria, operated for 128 years until 1995. Known for its haunted history, it is said to be home to numerous spirits of former patients and staff. #Ghost #asylum #beechworth #haunted
dreweriksson
10 likes • 245 views
Say a prayer for a man named John Grail. Every time I visit Mayday Hills mental asylum I pray for this man. I’ll tell you why. Twelve years ago I was researching my family history and I discovered my great, great grandmother was married to a John Grail. They had a few kids and then for whatever reason he was placed here, behind these walls. He lived for a few more years and then died and was b...
catholic_artisan
97 likes • 3.4K views

Consider a History Tour

Gain deeper insights into the asylum's past, even if you're not into ghosts. Reddit

Respect Private Property

Some surrounding areas are privately owned; stick to public access and tour routes. Reddit

Asylum Ghost Tours offers ghost tours, history tours and paranormal investigations, and any combination of these experiences. All held at the historic Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum at Beechworth, Victoria, in the midst of eleven hectares of heritage gardens. . . . . . #eerie #ghoststories #haunted #hauntedlocations #hauntedhouses #hauntedhouse #ghostadventures #ghosts #hauntedhistory #haunting...
buckleys_guides_australia
6 likes • 118 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ghost Tours Early

These tours are popular and sell out fast! Book online in advance. Instagram

Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the historic grounds and buildings. Instagram

Consider a History Tour

Gain deeper insights into the asylum's past, even if you're not into ghosts. Reddit

Respect Private Property

Some surrounding areas are privately owned; stick to public access and tour routes. Reddit

Bring a Camera

Capture the eerie atmosphere and historical architecture. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.3
(33 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Mayday Hills Asylum for its profound historical significance and eerie atmosphere, making it a compelling destination for ghost tours and history exploration. While some find the interpretive signs dated, the overall experience is described as confronting, informative, and highly recommended for those interested in Australia's psychiatric past. Reddit

"Whether or not you book a tour through Asylum Ghost Tours, a walk around the precinct is well worth your time.

A few of the interpretive signs around the precinct are old and faded which is unfortunate, but a look at the evolution of the precinct with the different eras of architecture and the history of the place is so interesting - albeit confronting - and an interesting glimpse into how people who didn’t conform in society were treated.

A piece of Australia’s history well worth preserving"

Emi Hendo

"Did a daytime Asylum tour, the group was very small which made the tour much more personal. Our guide was friendly and informative. Even though it was daytime the inside of the buildings still had a very eerie feel. Highly recommended, would like to return for the ghost tour."

Daniel Soccio

"We stayed at 'the Linaker' being hotel rooms in the former nurses quarters. While there we took part in this history tour of this former 'Asylum' and explored the lush grounds. It certainly was not a nice place to be locked up in especially in its early life when it was easy to commit someone but not as easy to get out. I thoroughly recommend the tour which was informative although a touch horrifying. Definitely worth a visit to explore the Mayday Hills precinct whether you decide to partake in the tour or not."

Don Tadixz

What People Like

Rich historical insights
Eerie atmosphere
Informative tours

What People Dislike

Dated interpretive signs

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Mayday Hills Asylum is located in Beechworth, Victoria. It's best accessed by car, with ample parking available on-site. Public transport options are limited, so driving is the most convenient way to reach the location. Instagram

Yes, the asylum is situated on a prominent hill overlooking Beechworth. Follow the signs for the asylum or its tours once you are in the town. Instagram

While some areas are accessible for self-guided walks around the exterior, many parts of the asylum and its history are best explored through guided tours. Reddit

Many visitors recommend taking a guided tour, either a history tour or a ghost tour, to fully appreciate the site's significance and atmosphere. InstagramReddit

Yes, Beechworth offers various accommodation options, including hotels and B&Bs. Some former staff quarters have even been converted into hotel rooms. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Tour prices vary depending on the type of tour (history, ghost, paranormal investigation). Expect to pay around $45 per person for a 90-minute tour. Reddit

It is highly recommended to book your tickets in advance, especially for ghost tours, as they can sell out quickly. Instagram

Tour times vary, with ghost tours typically held in the evenings and history tours during the day. Check the official tour operator's website for current schedules. Instagram

Yes, Asylum Ghost Tours offers ghost tours, history tours, and paranormal investigations, often with combinations available. Instagram

While history tours focus on facts, ghost tours are designed to be eerie. Consider a daytime history tour if you prefer a less intense experience. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Even during the day, the interior of the buildings retains a very eerie and confronting atmosphere, offering a glimpse into Australia's dark psychiatric past. Reddit

Visitors often highlight the 'Bull Pen,' the infirmary, the criminally insane wing, and the cellar as particularly impactful areas to see. Instagram

Yes, it is widely considered one of Australia's most haunted locations, with many visitors reporting paranormal experiences. Instagram+2

Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Dress in layers as temperatures inside the old buildings can vary. Instagram

Photography is generally permitted, but always check with your tour guide for any specific restrictions within certain areas. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

The imposing architecture of the main buildings, the historic grounds, and the eerie interiors offer numerous photographic opportunities. Instagram+1

Drone usage may be restricted due to the historical significance and potential disturbance to wildlife or other visitors. Always check local regulations and obtain necessary permissions. TikTok

Ghost tours and paranormal investigations often provide unique opportunities for atmospheric and potentially unexplained photographic captures. Instagram

Interiors can be dimly lit, so a camera with good low-light performance or a tripod might be beneficial for capturing details. Instagram

Look for details like patient graffiti, old medical equipment, decaying structures, and the overall imposing architecture. Reddit

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