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Old Melbourne Gaol

377 Russell Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
03 8663 7228
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Ranked #33 of 175 attractions in Melbourne
Type: Historic Sites
Owner description: Step back in time and walk the road to the gallows in a 19th century prison, be arrested in a modern-day Police Station or put yourself on trial in... more » Owner description: Step back in time and walk the road to the gallows in a 19th century prison, be arrested in a modern-day Police Station or put yourself on trial in court.Home to Melbourne's oldest prison, historic Magistrates' Court and former Police City Watch House, Russell Street has been at the heart of crime, law and order in Melbourne since the 1840s. Most of Australia’s infamous characters, including iconic bushranger, Ned Kelly and notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor have spent time within the walls of this amazing precinct. A ticket to the Old Melbourne Gaol Crime & Justice Experience grants you visiting rights to the past, present and future of crime and justice in Australia. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Stairs / lift, Bathroom facilities
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463 reviews from our community

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Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
42 reviews 42 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 June 2013 NEW via mobile

We really enjoyed our time here, the gaol is very well kept and very interesting to walk around, be sure to do the police house experience to see the holding cells etc that were only closed in 1994. 4/5 $25 per adult

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Brisbane, Australia
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 June 2013 NEW

What an experience this place is... Brutal, cold, hard, dangerous... I'd recommend this to anyone. And in some ways wish our system was still as barbaric in many ways - we'd have much less crime I bet! Well worth a look - even if just for the whole Ned Kelly thing... very interesting reading! A lot to take in, be... More

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See 2 more reviews by Steve B for Melbourne
Auckland
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 June 2013 NEW

It's an old gaol with some old displays. There are details of many of the prisoners that have been executed along with a few displays of various pieces of equipment etc. Once you have had enough of wandering around the old gaol and reading the displays you then get to go on the 'watch house experience' where you along with... More

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See 4 more reviews by artNZ for Melbourne
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
14 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 May 2013 via mobile

This is a really well run tourist attraction. We have lived in Melbourne our whole lives but never been here and thought we should check it out. The ticket also includes entrance to the building next door where, at certain times, they run simulations of processing prisoners. You get taken through the process as if you were a prisoner- quite... More

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See 3 more reviews by CarlyWelburn for Melbourne
Limerick, Ireland
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 May 2013

We spent a very interesting afternoon in Melbourne Gaol. It was most informative ! Would recommend to anyone interested in the history of the city.

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Melbourne, Australia
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2013

My boyfriend and I went to the goal on the weekend, We thought it was great! We spend in total about 3 hours walking through the goal. We also took part in the heads examined exhibition which was very informative and interesting. The watch house experience was great fun! Would highly recommend.

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Adelaide, Australia
Top Contributor
75 reviews 75 reviews
24 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
51 helpful votes 51 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2013

We went to the Gaol on a Monday afternoon. Overall its a fabulous attraction but you do have to be willing to read and process a lot of information as it is a self guided tour. Criminal justice is an interest of mine so this was all a bonus for me. I also note its pretty pricey at $25.00 per... More

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See 15 more reviews by PugHugger for Melbourne
United Kingdom
Top Contributor
68 reviews 68 reviews
41 attraction reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
28 helpful votes 28 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2013

We had a great time at the gaol, it was kids holidays so there was story telling and activities and a reenactment of Ned Kellys trial which was good fun. The Gaol was a great attraction for a haf day visit and is very close to the centre.

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See 7 more reviews by jodieh12 for Melbourne
Los Angeles, California
Top Contributor
73 reviews 73 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 50 cities Reviews in 50 cities
97 helpful votes 97 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

For approximately 75 years from the mid-1800s to the late 1920s, this gaol or jail, which is now a museum, housed notorious criminals such as Ned Kelly, an infamous bush ranger, as well as women whose only crime was being destitute. There is a log documenting the offenses of many of the women who had the misfortune of being sent... More

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Glenrowan, Australia
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

Ned Kelly was hanged there. Spooky place but well worth visiting and part of the attraction.. Informative staff. The death masks are awesome.

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See 6 more reviews by KatesCottageGSM for Melbourne

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