Z Ward

Z Ward, located at 63 Conyngham Street in Glenside, South Australia, is a historic building that once served as a high-security facility for individuals deemed criminally insane. Constructed in 1885 and operational from 1888, it accommodated up to 40 patients in single cells. The building features a distinctive Ha Ha Wall, designed to provide security while softening its prison-like appearance. After its closure in 1973, Z Ward remained largely unoccupied until 2014, when the National Trust of South Australia began offering guided tours to explore its unique architecture and history. These tours provide insights into the building's past and its role in the evolution of mental health care in Australia. Visitors can access the site via Amber Woods Drive, with the upper level accessible by stairs and the lower level suitable for wheelchairs and prams.