After a sudden closure last week, Aradale Asylum is set for a limited reopening, allowing for the continuation of ghost tours that bring more than 10,000 visitors to Ararat every year.
The building is also set for key restoration works. It comes after Nathaniel Buchanan, who runs Eerie Tours, told the Brolga the closure would be an “economic disaster for the town”.
The update: Since the sudden closure of the site, Buchanan has received a letter from Melbourne Polytechnic recognising the importance of the building to the town, notifying him it was “working at speed” to have it reopened.
“If it all goes to plan, we will be able to resume a temporary contract that will allow access to the externals and buildings previously used in the tours once they have the tick of safety,” he said.
He added it was "nice to see that the building is going to get some well-needed TLC”.
“This needs to remain open forever, it’s a major drawcard,” Buchanan said. “It’s just as important in the future as it is now”.
Community members are welcoming the update as well, he said.
“Everyone seems to be calming down a bit and is pleased there is progress”.
What happened: Landlords of the building, TAFE Institution Melbourne Polytechnic, elected to close the building last week due to public safety concerns following a recent safety inspection.
Although owned by the state government, Melbourne Polytechnic has leased the building for the past 25 years.
Image Credit: Eerie Tours
Why the outrage? The closure shocked the local community, with the Aradale Asylum drawing 10,000 visitors a year to Ararat - more people than live in the town. Like many historic asylums, it was the site for many now-outlawed, controversial treatments that involved electroshock and restraints. It’s thus become a hotspot for “dark tourism”.
What they said: Buchanan has led ghost tours at Aradale Asylum for 16 years. He said the attraction is a major drawcard for the rural town.
“We attract about 20 million Youtube hits every year with international ghost hunters coming to Aradale,” Buchanan said.
Image Credit: Eerie Tours
Header Image Credit: Eerie Tours