Old Melbourne Gaol

Old Melbourne Gaol is the oldest remaining prison in Victoria. It closed down in 1929, but has since been transformed into an award-winning museum. Cells that once housed inmates have now been turned into mini exhibits giving an insight into different aspects of prison life.Hear stories about the prison’s most notorious inmates including the gruesome story of serial killer Frederick Bailey. You can also learn about different punishment methods employed by the prison. See the death masks made from wax or plaster of Paris, which are a haunting reminder of some of the prison’s past inmates, among which were Melbourne’s most infamous criminals.There are some fascinating interactive features at the museum including a re-enactment of a trial in the old magistrates court, where you can sit and listen to a case being heard. There is also the dramatic sounding Watch House Experience, where participants will find themselves being arrested and detained in a cell before being given a tour of the prison seeing it from ‘the other side’ as it were!133 prisoners met their fate at the prison gallows, including the wrongly executed inmate, Colin Campbell Ross. The most notorious of these prisoners however was the outlaw Ned Kelly. Here you can see at first hand the crude body armour he made himself in preparation for what would be his final shoot out with the police. His pistol is also here as is the death mask moulded from his face after his demise. You can also visit the gallows where Kelly and the others were hanged.There is a persistent rumour that the gaol is in fact haunted. To find out for yourself, take one of the night tours of the gaol where actors will tell haunting tales recounting ghostly activities as you explore the prison’s murky past. Advance booking for these tours is essential and can be made through the Old Melbourne Gaol’s website. Open daily except Christmas Day and Good Friday, the Old Melbourne Gaol is situated in downtown Melbourne. It is advisable to take public transport to visit. The free City Circle tram service stops nearby whilst Melbourne Central train station is just a few minutes’ walk away.