Is the Aradale Asylum Haunted?

Is the Aradale Asylum haunted? The Aradale Asylum, aka the Ararat Lunatic Asylum, in Australia shows up on many “Most Haunted in the World” lists. Some say that as many as 13,000 people died there over the years. But do those souls still haunt this place? Listen and vote!

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Questions Explored in this Episode

Where is the Aradale Asylum?  When was it built and why? What kinds of people were sent to this place? What was J Ward? Why were patients called inmates? What is a haha wall? Who was Nurse Kerry and why does she supposedly haunt the Women’s Ward? Do icy hands reach out and touch those that cross the covered bridge? Are there spirits who still scream at night? Is this asylum haunted?

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Aradale Mental Hospital, 1880Listener Mail

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History of the Aradale Asylum

Pat explores the history of this historic mental hospital outside of Melbourne, Australia. Built in 1866 and designed by G. W. Vivian and John James Clark, the asylum housed thousands of people over it’s almost 150-year history.  While many patients were mentally ill, others were the criminally insane. They were house in the J Wing.

The Debate

Pat and Rebecca debate if the asylum is haunted. Haunted activity has been heard, seen and felt throughout the 60+ buildings. From Nurse Kerry to the haunted bridge, to rooms that feel so evil no one wants to enter, there are few places without sightings.

Aradale AsylumPoll Results

Listen to learn if listeners thought the Eastern State Penitentiary is haunted. Want to listen to our previous episodes? Check them out here.

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Sources for this Week’s Episode
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aradale_Mental_Hospital and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J_Ward
Aradale Asylum Website: https://www.aradale.com.au/
ABC.net.au: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-21/looking-back-in-time-at-ararats-mental-asylum/9072024
Eerie Tours: https://www.eerietours.com.au/tours/
Facebook – Aradale Ghost Tours: https://www.facebook.com/AradaleGhostTours/
Lantern Ghost Tours: https://lanternghosttours.rezdy.com/99761/j-ward-lunatic-asylum-overnight-paranormal-investigation-victoria
Amy’s Crypt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEMyiIqvDEI
Amy’s Crypt: https://amyscrypt.com/aradale-mental-hospital-australia-haunted-asylum/
Ararat Advertiser: https://www.araratadvertiser.com.au/story/5826167/is-aradale-psychiatric-hospital-australias-most-haunted-location/
Real Paranormal Experiences: http://realparanormalexperiences.com/ararat-lunatic-asylum-the-haunting/
This is Horror: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/columns/antipodean-nights/australias-most-terrifying-and-haunted-places-victoria/
Anomalien: https://anomalien.com/ararat-lunatic-asylum-the-place-where-13000-patients-were-killed/
The Malestrom: https://themalestrom.com/culture/most-haunted-australia/
LAD Bible: https://www.ladbible.com/community/53021-most-haunted-places-in-the-world-20211025

Music for this episode was performed by Michael Rivers
Intro: “III. Allegro moderato from Gargoyles” by Lowell Liebermann
Outro: “Dream Images (Love-Death Music)” by George Crumb
Bumper: “Ghost Waltz” by Lowell Liebermann

“Pat Facts” and “Ghost Story” themes by Mondo
“Time for a Debate” theme by Gail Gallagher gailgallaghermusic.com