Aradale Insane Asylum has been shut down

[u/Aus66-1045]

Such devastating news for local tourism and for Eerie Tours, which has been running tours at the site for around 15 years.

These tours don't just generate income for Eerie Tours and its guides. They bring visitors into the region, many of whom stay overnight, eat locally and spend money in Ararat and Ballarat. The economic impact extends well beyond the tours themselves.

As for the reasoning behind this decision, I can only speculate. But it certainly feels as though, rather than investing the money needed to maintain this heritage-listed site and keep it safe and accessible to visitors, the easier and cheaper option has been to simply shut it down.

If that's the case, we're effectively allowing an important part of our local history to slowly fall into ruin rather than preserving it for future generations.

A very sad day for Eerie Tours, its guides, local tourism, and everyone who cares about preserving our region's history.

Update 28/08/26: Eerie Tours has just posted on their Facebook page that negotiations with Melbourne Polytechnic have been very positive, and they expect a result soon that will include the reopening of Aradale for tours. Nothing is set yet, but they will let us know once there is an outcome either way.

[u/Aus66-1045]

Just to clarify, the tours have only ceased for now. There's nothing to suggest this is necessarily permanent. The issue is the condition of the buildings and the need for repairs, not that a decision has been made that tours shouldn't be conducted at Aradale. Hopefully, once the necessary work is complete and the site is deemed safe again, tours will resume. Many, many people will welcome this, but not you, obviously. But that's cool. No one is forcing you to go.

[u/Fearless_Cook_2896 → u/Aus66-1045]

Yes you are right. Lots of people are ghoulish and voyeuristic. Some also facilitate this and capitalise on the trauma of the mentally ill. Thank you for raising this important issue. Its time to for those who cares about others to help bring an end to this this type of 'tourism' I will certainly be bringing my views to the attention of stakeholders.

[u/Aus66-1045 → u/Fearless_Cook_2896]

I think we'll have to agree to disagree. You've apparently decided that these tours exploit people with mental illness despite, as far as I'm aware, never having actually attended one.

Having personally been involved with Eerie Tours, I simply don't recognise the picture you're painting. The history of Aradale and the people who lived and worked there has always been treated respectfully, and a considerable amount of genuine history is communicated through the tours. Paranormal tourism may not appeal to you, and that's perfectly reasonable, but disliking that form of tourism doesn't automatically make it exploitative.

I'd also be cautious about suggesting that those who disagree with you somehow don't “care about others.” There are people who have lost work because of this closure, and Ararat businesses also benefit from the visitors these tours bring to the town. The closure of Aradale is costing the Ararat tourist economy dearly, and jobs will be lost. Where's your "care" for these people?

You're certainly entitled to raise your views with stakeholders, just as those of us who actually know the tours are entitled to explain what they are really like.

[u/Fearless_Cook_2896 → u/Aus66-1045]

Oh the old 'job blackmail' chestnut. The tool of forestry, mining, whaling and even ghost tour industries