Old Melbourne Gaol
- Visit: 45–480 min
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Old Melbourne Gaol is a former prison turned museum at 377 Russell Street, Melbourne, beside the former City Police Watch House and City Courts.
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What's on here
Why go
- The site of 133 hangings during its operation
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 17:00Show all
Monday10:00 – 17:00
Tuesday10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday10:00 – 17:00
Thursday10:00 – 17:00
Friday10:00 – 17:00
Saturday10:00 – 17:00
Sunday10:00 – 17:00
Don't miss
- Ned Kelly collectionHis death mask, pistol and a replica of his armour are among the exhibits.Museum exhibits
- Colin Campbell Ross’s pencilUsed to protest his innocence before his execution.Museum exhibits
- Iron maskAn object displayed among the gaol’s prison exhibits.Museum exhibits
- Leather glovesDesigned to prevent inmates from practising self-abuse.Museum exhibits
Know before you go
- Contact the venue before arranging professional photography; fees and charges apply.
What's inside
- The museum occupies three storeys and displays memorabilia relating to prisoners and staff.
- Displays inside many cells tell individual prisoners’ stories and explore Melbourne’s history.
- The site includes a bluestone building and courtyard.
With kids
- The ticket includes the Women & Children of the Gaol experience.
- The prison held as many as twenty children at a time, some staying with a convicted parent.
Tips for your visit
- Stop 8 on La Trobe Street is within the Free Tram Zone.
Tours and audio guides
- Self-guided visit
- English or Mandarin audio guide
- City Watch House experience
- Interactive role-play as an accused person being processed and confined Daytime add-on.
- Ned Kelly tour
- From his capture at Glenrowan to his final moments inside the gaol Add-on.
- Hangman’s Night Tour
- Lamplight tour about crime, punishment and justice Night tour.
Interesting facts3
-
1857
The youngest recorded prisoner was three-year-old Michael Crimmins, jailed for six months in 1857.
Old Melbourne Gaol - Wikipedia -
1978
A skull once thought to be Ned Kelly’s was stolen from its display cabinet in 1978; DNA testing later showed it was not his.
Rich History Unveiled | Old Melbourne Gaol -
1970
The gaol interior appeared in the 1970 film Ned Kelly.
Old Melbourne Gaol - Wikipedia (part 2)
Shorts
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Old Melbourne GAOL | Crime Museum | Australian History. Best Tourist …Henry SP
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Take a visit to the historic Old Melbourne Gaolnaile zoupani
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Ghosts of Old Melbourne GaolThe Newsroom Explains
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Ghosts of Old Melbourne Gaolnews.com.au
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Old Melbourne Gaol, AustraliaRez World Travel
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Executions Echo Through These Walls - The Old Melbourne GaolJust A Little Creepy | Spooky & Strange Stories
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Ghosts of Old Melbourne GaolThe Daily Telegraph
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Haunted History: Discover the Old Melbourne Gaol's Dark SecretsA Strange Thought
History
Early facilities were inadequate and escapes were frequent. By 1850 the prison was overcrowded; population growth after the 1851 gold discovery increased pressure on law enforcement.
- 1839–1845Construction began in 1839, and the first cell block opened to prisoners in 1845.
- 1852–1854A new bluestone wing was built, drawing on Joshua Jebb’s Pentonville Model Prison design.
- 1859A second cellblock added ventilation, clean water, a food hoist and exercise yards.
- 1860A north wing added entrance buildings, a central hall and a chapel.
- 1862–1864A separate cell block for women was built on the western side.
Show all
- 11 November 1863Elizabeth Scott became the first woman hanged in Victoria.
- 11 November 1880Ned Kelly was hanged here at age 25.
- 1924The gaol closed as a prison; parts of the site later became part of RMIT University.
- 1942The gaol served as a military guardhouse for Australian soldiers absent without leave or drunk in town.
- After World War IIThe former prison section became storage for the Victoria Police force.
- 1972The National Trust opened the gaol as a penal museum.
How to get there
- 5 minOn footWalk from Melbourne Central Station.
- 5 minOn footWalk from State Library Station.
- TramTake tram 30 or 35 to Stop 8, Exhibition St, on La Trobe Street.
- BikeSeparated bike lanes run along Swanston and La Trobe streets; bike racks are nearby.
- ParkingThere is no on-site parking. Paid street parking and several car parks are nearby; three disability permit spaces are on La Trobe Street.
Sources: Old Melbourne Gaol - Wikipedia · Old Melbourne Gaol - Wikipedia (part 2) · Melbourne/CBD - Wikivoyage (see) · Old Melbourne Gaol | Victoria's oldest prison |… · Rich History Unveiled | Old Melbourne Gaol · Plan Your Visit | Old Melbourne Gaol · Old Melbourne Gaol - Wikipedia · Old Melbourne Gaol - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
Where
377 Russell St, Melbourne
- Website
- oldmelbournegaol.com.au/
- Phone
- +61396569889
Questions and answers
What are Old Melbourne Gaol’s opening hours?
Open daily, 10:00–17:00.
Who else was held at Old Melbourne Gaol?
Prisoners included Frederick Bailey Deeming.
When did the City Watch House operate?
From 1909 to 1994, on the original cellblock site.
Were women always held separately at Old Melbourne Gaol?
No. Women were not separated from men before the separate women’s block was built in 1862–1864.
Who was the last person executed at Old Melbourne Gaol?
Angus Murray, in 1924.
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