Where:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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.

Last Visited:

Last visited in April 2007

Why Go:

The jail was the setting for 135 hangings. Its most famous hanging was that of the bushranger Ned Kelly in 1880.

Highlights:

• Museum: displays include the death masks and histories of famous bushrangers and convicts.
• Tour: You should allow about an hour to explore the building on a self-guided tour. In the evening they host spooky 'Hangman's Night Tours'.

Eating & Drinking:

• not allowed

Other things you should know about:

• The Old Melbourne Gaol was established in 1841, and closed in 1924. Since 1972 it has been used as a museum.
• The building was a model prison and based on the current prison reform theories of the day.
• The head of Ned Kelly was stolen in 1978 and has never been recovered.
• It building was used as a USA military prison during World War II.
• The Old Melbourne Gaol is operated by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
• Open Daily 9:30am - 5pm - 7 days
  

More information:

• more about Melbourne

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