Adelaide Gaol, Adelaide

Name: Adelaide Gaol
Address: Old Gaol 18 Gaol Rd, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
Telephone: 6182314062

#12 among attractions in Adelaide

Museum, History museum

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Facts and practical information

Adelaide Gaol, a former prison turned museum, stands as a haunting testament to South Australia's penal history. Located in the city of Adelaide, the gaol operated from 1841 until its closure in 1988. Throughout its 147 years of operation, it housed some of the state's most notorious criminals and was the site of 45 executions.

The gaol's imposing limestone walls and somber cells reflect the harsh conditions inmates faced. Today, visitors can explore the original buildings, including cell blocks, the execution tower, and the graves where executed prisoners were buried. The museum offers a glimpse into the daily lives of prisoners with displays of artifacts, such as personal items and contraband, alongside historical documents that tell the stories of those who lived and died behind its walls.

Guided tours are a popular way to experience the gaol, including night tours that delve into the paranormal, capitalizing on the site's reputation for ghostly activity. These tours bring to life tales of hardship, escape, and the workings of the justice system in bygone eras.

Opened: 1841 (183 years ago)Closed: 1988Coordinates: 34°55'4"S, 138°35'6"E

Address

Old Gaol 18 Gaol RdAdelaide (Adelaide Park Lands)Adelaide 5000 Australia

Contact

6182314062

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Day trips

Adelaide Gaol – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Adelaide Oval, Montefiore Hill, St Peter's Cathedral, Ice Arena.

0.6 miE
Redeveloped sports arena and events venue
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
17 min walk • Adelaide Oval stands as a crowning jewel in the heart of Adelaide, Australia, celebrated for hosting some of the most prestigious events in sports. This iconic sport venue, with its distinctive blend of historic charm and modern architecture, offers a breathtaking...
0.6 miNE
Park
Montefiore Hill, Adelaide
16 min walk • Perched on the edge of Adelaide's city centre, Montefiore Hill offers a tranquil escape with a remarkable view that has captivated both locals and visitors alike. Named in honor of Jacob Montefiore, one of the early colonists and a Commissioner of the South Australian...
0.8 miNE
Anglican cathedral consecrated in 1878
St Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide
21 min walk • St Peter's Cathedral stands as a beacon of architectural elegance and spiritual significance in the heart of Adelaide, Australia. This Anglican cathedral, consecrated in 1878, is not just a place of worship but also a historical monument that has witnessed the city's...
0.4 miW
Sport venue, Sport, Sport complex
Ice Arena, Adelaide
11 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Adelaide, the Ice Arena stands as a premier destination for ice sports enthusiasts and those seeking a unique recreational experience in South Australia. As the state's chief ice skating facility, the Ice Arena offers a cool respite from the...
0.8 miE
Nightlife, Casino, Gambling
Adelaide Casino, Adelaide
20 min walk • Adelaide Casino, known commercially as SkyCity Adelaide, is a large casino and recreational venue on the north edge of the Adelaide city centre.
0.7 miE
Park
Elder Park, Adelaide
18 min walk • Elder Park is a public open space in the city of Adelaide, South Australia on the southern bank of the River Torrens and that is bordered by the Adelaide Festival Centre and North Terrace.
0.6 miSE
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
Holy Trinity Church, Adelaide
16 min walk • Trinity Church also known as Holy Trinity Church Adelaide, is an Australian evangelical Anglican church located at 88 North Terrace in the city of Adelaide, South Australia. Trinity Church has five gatherings at the North Terrace location each Sunday, as well as various other meetings throughout the week.
0.8 miW
Church
Community and Parish of Saint George Thebarton, Adelaide
21 min walk • The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George is a church in the suburb of Mile End, in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. It is under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and spiritual direction of Archbishop Makarios of Australia and is the largest Greek Orthodox church in Adelaide.
0.4 miNW
Park
Bonython Park, Adelaide
11 min walk • Bonython Park is a 17-hectare park in the north-west Park Lands of the South Australian capital of Adelaide. The park was opened in 1962 and named in honour of prominent South Australian politician and journalist, Sir John Langdon Bonython.
0.7 miE
Concert hall, Theater, Concerts and shows
Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide
18 min walk • Adelaide Festival Centre, Australia's first multi-purpose arts centre and the home of South Australia's performing arts, was built in the 1970s, designed by Hassell Architects.
0.5 miSE
Street
Morphett Street, Adelaide
14 min walk • Morphett Street is a main street in the west of the city centre of Adelaide, South Australia, parallel to King William Street and numbered from north to south.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Adelaide Gaol?

Nearby attractions include Bonython Park, Adelaide (11 min walk), Samstag Museum, Adelaide (12 min walk), Currie Street, Adelaide (14 min walk), ACE Open, Adelaide (14 min walk).

How to get to Adelaide Gaol by public transport?

The nearest stations to Adelaide Gaol:

Tram

Royal Adelaide Hospital (9 min walk)
Thebarton (10 min walk)

Train

Mile End (15 min walk)
Adelaide (18 min walk)

Bus

Stop D1 Currie Street - North side • Lines: 830F (19 min walk)
Stop W2 Currie Street - South side • Lines: 830F (20 min walk)