Looks can be deceiving because the Old Melbourne Gaol is one of Melbourne's best historical places and truly worth a visit. Learn more about Old Melbourne Gaol Opening times & Tours General Information Picture Gallery * Free Entry with Melbourne Smartvisit™ Card Old Melbourne Gaol dominated the Melbourne skyline as a symbol of authority when it was built in the mid 1800s. Between 1842 and its closure in 1929 the gaol (jail) was the scene of 133 hangings including Australia's most infamous citizen, the bushranger Ned Kelly. It was used as a US military prison during World War II. Museum displays include death masks and histories of famous bushrangers and convicts. Brief History of the Melbourne Gaol The Old Melbourne Gaol was the first extensive gaol complex in Victoria. It is located on Russell Street, between La Trobe and Victoria Streets behind the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and opposite the old Russell Street Police Station. The first Melbourne Gaol was built in Collins Street West in 1839-40, but was far too small. A second gaol was built in 1841-4, adjoining the then Supreme Court at the corner of Russell and La Trobe Streets, but this was entirely demolished early in the twentieth century when the Magistrate's Court complex was built. What was officially a new wing, but really stage one of the third gaol, was built in 1852-4. It was of bluestone rather than sandstone, and had its own perimeter wall. This new design was based upon the designs of the British prison engineer Joshua Jebb, and more particularly upon the Pentonville Model Prison in London. The building was a model prison and based on the current prison reform theories of the day. In spite of the amount of building and extension work performed on the Gaol, the complex was consistently overcrowded. It was extended in two stages in 1857-9, and the boundary wall was also extended in 1858-9. The present north wing, comprising the entrance buildings, central hall and chapel was begun in 1860. In 1862-4 a western cell block, virtually a replica of the present east block, was built to house female prisoners, and the perimeter wall was finally completed in 1864. The west wing extended into what is now the RMIT site, and has since been demolished. Other building work consisted of support buildings constructed around the gaol complex. For example, seventeen jailer's houses on Swanston St (1860), a hospital in one of the yards (1864) and a chief warders house on the corner of Franklin and Russell Sts. In a review of the penal system in 1870 it was recommended that the gaol be closed and the prisoners be moved to a more 'suitable' location. Read a description of daily life in Gaol here. Between 1880 and 1924 the gaol was slowly rundown and portions of the original site demolished. The gaol was finally closed in 1929. It reopened briefly during the Second World War as a military prison for Australian soldiers who were Absent Without Leave. Later it was a storage depot for the Victorian Police force. The Old Melbourne Gaol is operated by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria). The National Trust is Australia's largest community conservation organisation: its aim to conserve Australia's heritage for future generations. More information... Opening times & Tours General Information Picture Gallery Old Melbourne Gaol's most famous inmate - Ned Kelly * Free Entry with Melbourne Smartvisit™ Card Ghost of Old Melbourne Gaol View Melbourne's hottest debate, the Ghost Photo... Days: Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

What's On

• Ghost of Old Melbourne Gaol?

  Please can you get an opinion on the attached photo as it was taken by a friend who visited the Old Melbourne Gaol and no-one knows how this ghost-looking person got in the photo! Many thanks Joanne Sweeney Photo Copyright: Natalie Jones, UK ... View Full Advert..

  Ghost of Old Melbourne Gaol?

• Melbourne Justice Museum

  The Russell Street Melbourne Justice Museum open daily combines the Old Melbourne Gaol with the former City Watch House and Court One of the former Magistrates' Court. Old Melbourne Gaol Crime and Justice Experience Education Program designed to ... View Full Advert..

  Melbourne Justice Museum

• The Old Melbourne Ghost Tour

  Journey back to old Melbourne, a time when the spices of China Town masked the smoke of the opium dens, poor houses supplied bodies in the name of advancing medical science and the famous opera singer Federici gave his most dramatic performance. A... View Full Advert..

  The Old Melbourne Ghost Tour

• Hangman’s Night Tour

  What stories would a hangman tell you if he was guiding you around the Gaol, where he was the master of the rope? What other stories from the dark side will find their way into this performance? Book the Hangman's Night Tour and find out........ View Full Advert..

  Hangman’s Night Tour

• Pop Up Speakeasy

  As part of its public programs during the Underbelly: Squizzy Exhibition the Old Melbourne Gaol will be hosting an exclusive Pop up Speakeasy! A Speakeasy, also called a blind pig or blind tiger, was an establishment that would have illegally sol... View Full Advert..

  Pop Up Speakeasy

• Bail Out Melbourne

  The award winning Whitelion Melbourne Bail Out is entering its 8th year in 2013 and it is set to be EVEN bigger, badder and better than ever! The iconic event will take place on Friday 31st May 2013 at the notorious Old Melbourne Gaol - City Watc... View Full Advert..

  Bail Out Melbourne - Friday 31 May 2013

• Underbelly: Squizzy Exhibition

  The Underbelly: Squizzy Exhibition takes you on a journey through the highs and lows of the bizarre and sometimes surreal life of one Melbourne’s first celebrity criminals. As you explore the series of customised Squizzy cells you will uncover th... View Full Advert..

  Underbelly: Squizzy Exhibition - Monday 1 July 2013

Web Links

Old Melbourne Gaol 

Visit Old Melbourne Gaol with Smartvisit™ Card

Old Melbourne Gaol Prices and Times

www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au

Also See...

National Trust of Australia (Victoria)

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View all (2) Comments

Aaron writes:
Posted on 10:55 AM June 5, 2012

the gost tour rocks...

Jennie Towan writes:
Posted on 3:20 PM May 2, 2012

I've just discovered my great great grandfather was convicted on a charge of possessing a still, in 1870, and fined 300 pounds or 12 months in gaol. He couldn't afford the fine, so presumably was gaoled here, at the Old Melbourne Gaol. If anyone has any information or can direct me somewhere where I can find out more about what life would have been like for him in that 12 months, I'd be very grateful.

View all (2) Comments

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