-Old Melbourne Gaol-
- The Old Melbourne Gaol is a museum and former prison located in Russell Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It consists of a bluestone building and courtyard, and is located next to the old City Police Watch House and City Courts buildings. Old Melbourne Gaol is one of Melbourne's most popular tourist attractions. It was first constructed starting in 1839, and during its operation as a prison between 1842 and 1929, it held and executed some of Australia's most notorious criminals, including bushranger Ned Kelly and serial killer Frederick Bailey Deeming. In total, 133 people were executed by hanging. Though it was used briefly during World War II, it formally ceased operating as a prison in 1924; with parts of the gaol being incorporated into the RMIT University, and the rest becoming a museum.
- The three-storey museum displays information and memorabilia of the prisoners and staff, including death masks of the executed criminals. At one time the museum displayed Ned Kelly's skull, before it was stolen in 1978; as well as the pencil used by wrongly convicted Colin Campbell Ross to protest his innocence in writing, before being executed. Paranormal enthusiasts claim the museum is haunted, with claims of ghostly apparitions and unexplained voices near cells.
- (Resource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Melbourne_Gaol)
What To Do
Visit the original Gaol and explore all 3 levels including the execution area and see Ned Kelly's Death mask.
Join the Charge Sergeant on a tour of the cells when you visit the Watch house.
Take a night tour with the Hangman or join our Ghost..What Ghost? evening tour.
Take part in the recreation of a famous trial in Court One of the Old Magistrate's Court during school holidays.
Find out more about the Gaol's fascinating history, how to book the Gaol for a function or bring your school/ group for an education program.
There's lots to do. Find out about ticket prices and opening hours or book a ticket.
Contact us for all queries about tours, events, school holidays and function hire.
(Resource: http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au)
Daily Experiences
Gaol Self Guided Tours
Guide your own way through the chilling history and secrets of the Gaol.
"Such A Life" Performance
Every Saturday during the school term at 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm and every Wednesday and Saturday during the school holidays at 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm, this free live performance explores Ned Kelly’s life and legend, in the very place where the iron outlaw drew his last breath in 1880.
This performance is included with a general admission ticket which can be purchased upon arrival. Bookings not available.
Watch House Experience
Experience the process of arrest with our Charge Sergeant in the former City Watch House. Every half hour from 10.30 am.
Visitors on a ghost tour of the Old Melbourne Gaol.
Night Tours
Visit Old Melbourne Gaol after dark.
More details / booking information.
Open Cell Sundays With Melbourne Writers
The National Trust and Writers Victoria have opened two new writing spaces in the depths of the Old Melbourne Gaol. More details.
Plan Your Visit
Find admission fees, opening hours, a map, and try the public transport journey planner here.
(Resource: http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au/what_s_on )
Visit the original Gaol and explore all 3 levels including the execution area and see Ned Kelly's Death mask.
Join the Charge Sergeant on a tour of the cells when you visit the Watch house.
Take a night tour with the Hangman or join our Ghost..What Ghost? evening tour.
Take part in the recreation of a famous trial in Court One of the Old Magistrate's Court during school holidays.
Find out more about the Gaol's fascinating history, how to book the Gaol for a function or bring your school/ group for an education program.
There's lots to do. Find out about ticket prices and opening hours or book a ticket.
Contact us for all queries about tours, events, school holidays and function hire.
(Resource: http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au)
Daily Experiences
Gaol Self Guided Tours
Guide your own way through the chilling history and secrets of the Gaol.
"Such A Life" Performance
Every Saturday during the school term at 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm and every Wednesday and Saturday during the school holidays at 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm, this free live performance explores Ned Kelly’s life and legend, in the very place where the iron outlaw drew his last breath in 1880.
This performance is included with a general admission ticket which can be purchased upon arrival. Bookings not available.
Watch House Experience
Experience the process of arrest with our Charge Sergeant in the former City Watch House. Every half hour from 10.30 am.
Visitors on a ghost tour of the Old Melbourne Gaol.
Night Tours
Visit Old Melbourne Gaol after dark.
More details / booking information.
Open Cell Sundays With Melbourne Writers
The National Trust and Writers Victoria have opened two new writing spaces in the depths of the Old Melbourne Gaol. More details.
Plan Your Visit
Find admission fees, opening hours, a map, and try the public transport journey planner here.
(Resource: http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au/what_s_on )
Why Old Melbourne Gaol is an important dark tourism site:
Between 1845 and 1924, Melbourne Gaol housed some of Australia’s most notorious criminals – including the outlaw Ned Kelly, and a serial killer believed by some to have been Jack the Ripper.
The three-storey museum charts the lives and deaths of both prisoners and staff, with often-morbid exhibitions including the death masks of executed criminals. Meanwhile, many visitors report disembodied voices and strange goings-on around the cellblock, sparking the interest of paranormal investigators.
As one visitor says, "I visited the gaol not just to feed my own fascination with Australia’s history; but also to better understand how a site linked to so much death and suffering, could yet become an enduring landmark of Australia’s ‘Garden City’."
(Resources: http://www.thebohemianblog.com/2013/05/dark-tourism-old-melbourne-gaol.html)
Between 1845 and 1924, Melbourne Gaol housed some of Australia’s most notorious criminals – including the outlaw Ned Kelly, and a serial killer believed by some to have been Jack the Ripper.
The three-storey museum charts the lives and deaths of both prisoners and staff, with often-morbid exhibitions including the death masks of executed criminals. Meanwhile, many visitors report disembodied voices and strange goings-on around the cellblock, sparking the interest of paranormal investigators.
As one visitor says, "I visited the gaol not just to feed my own fascination with Australia’s history; but also to better understand how a site linked to so much death and suffering, could yet become an enduring landmark of Australia’s ‘Garden City’."
(Resources: http://www.thebohemianblog.com/2013/05/dark-tourism-old-melbourne-gaol.html)