Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | Find Us

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!
Listener Survey
Complete our listener survey to help us out and a chance to win a T-shirt: https://ghostlypodcast.com/listener-survey/
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?
Vote on the Episode
Done listening to this episode? Go vote on what you think at ghostlypodcast.com/polls. #TeamBeliever #TeamSkeptic
Listener Mail
This week’s listener mail is about a spooky shoulder massage. Have a spooky story or question of your own (or someone you know)? Send your story or question to info@ghostlypodcast.com and we might read it on the podcast. You could be on a future episode of Ghostly!
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.
Poll Results
Listen to learn if listeners thought the Eastern State Penitentiary is haunted. Want to listen to our previous episodes? Check them out here.
Done Listening to the Episode?
Please subscribe to Ghostly and give us a rating on iTunes, Spotify or any podcast app where they let you. Tell your friends! Then you can debate the truth yourselves. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to grow our audience, so we can do all the amazing things we have planned for this year. And be sure to find us on all social media at Ghostly Podcast.
Patreon and GhostlyX
Also consider joining our Patreon for all sorts of great extra Ghostly, including our new show, GhostlyX, which comes out on the opposite weeks of Ghostly. We talk about listener comments, share paranormal news, and talk to interesting guests about our favorite paranormal topics. You can also get early access to Ghostly episodes, Rebecca’s creepy bedtime stories, and a monthly AMA with Pat and Rebecca! Join today: ghostlypodcast.com/support/
Visit our website, www.ghostlypodcast.com, to learn more about Ghostly, and, of course, give us your opinion on our polls.
Support Ghostly
How can you help support Ghostly?
- Leave us a rating and a review.
- Support us on Patreon! Check out all the rewards of becoming a Patreon supporter of Ghostly, including our new show, GhostlyX!
- Ghostly Gear right on our website at ghostlypodcast.com/store! T-shirts, Hoodies, Masks and more.
Ghostly Book Club
Interested in joining our Ghostly Book Club? If you want to read spooky books and talk about them with fellow Ghostly listeners, sign up at ghostlypodcast.com/book-club.
We want to hear from you! We want your ghost stories! Email us at info@ghostlypodcast.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at GhostlyPodcast.
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