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Z Ward: Behind the Walls

Z Ward

For almost 90 years Glenside’s Z Ward was home to South Australia’s “criminally insane”, patients who sat on the overlapping edges of criminality and mental illness. Completed in 1885, Z Ward was a significant architectural statement that can still be appreciated today. Designed by EJ Woods, the prominent South Australian designer and one-time Architect-in-Chief who helmed St. Peter’s Cathedral, the State Library of South Australia’s Mortlock Wing and Parliament House, its high ceilings, magnificent windows and advanced ventilation system represents what was, for its time, an innovative attempt at providing a humane solution for patients. It’s also home to a rare, complete example of a ‘Ha Ha Wall’, a deceptive piece of design that provided security to the building while softening the prison-like image that high walls would have conveyed. Officially decommissioned in 1973, the site was lost to the public for years as it sat unoccupied save for core samples and file storage for the Department of Mining. Join them in exploring and preserving this unique treasure with their regular guided tours, or one of the many other events and experiences that showcase the building in interesting new lights.
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Z Ward
Z Ward Downstairs
When
06 October, 2026
Venue
Z Ward
Contact
Social
Location and Directions63 Conyngham Street Adelaide South Australia 5065 Australia
Directions in Google Maps
Adult
$30
Concession
$25
Member
$20
For National Trust Members
Child
$20
Product Types
  • Community Events
Facilities
  • Carpark
  • Family Friendly
  • Non Smoking
  • Public Toilet
Accessibility
  • Does not cater for people with access needs.
Dates
  • Wednesday 07 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Thursday 08 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Friday 09 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Saturday 10 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Sunday 11 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Monday 12 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Tuesday 13 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Wednesday 14 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Thursday 15 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Friday 16 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Saturday 17 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Sunday 18 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Monday 19 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Tuesday 20 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Wednesday 21 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Thursday 22 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Friday 23 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Saturday 24 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Sunday 25 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Monday 26 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Tuesday 27 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Wednesday 28 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Thursday 29 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Friday 30 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Saturday 31 October, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Sunday 01 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Monday 02 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Tuesday 03 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Wednesday 04 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Thursday 05 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Friday 06 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Saturday 07 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Sunday 08 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Monday 09 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Tuesday 10 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Wednesday 11 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Thursday 12 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Friday 13 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Saturday 14 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Sunday 15 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Monday 16 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Tuesday 17 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Wednesday 18 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Thursday 19 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Friday 20 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Saturday 21 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Sunday 22 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Monday 23 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Tuesday 24 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Wednesday 25 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Thursday 26 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Friday 27 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Saturday 28 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Sunday 29 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Monday 30 November, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Tuesday 01 December, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Wednesday 02 December, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Thursday 03 December, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Friday 04 December, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Saturday 05 December, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event
  • Sunday 06 December, 202614:00 - 15:30Confirmed Event

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Z Ward: Behind the Walls | ATDW