Old Melbourne Gaol, Melbourne

Name: Old Melbourne Gaol
Address: 377 Russell St, Melbourne, 3000, Australia
Telephone: +61 3 9656 9889

#55 among attractions in Melbourne

Museum, Historical place, History museum

Gallery (7)

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Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Rexness / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Joyofmuseums / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Joyofmuseums / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5 / Ciell / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Joyofmuseums / URL

Facts and practical information

Steeped in history and shrouded in mystery, the Old Melbourne Gaol stands as a stark reminder of Australia's colonial past. Situated in the heart of the city of Melbourne, this bluestone building once functioned as a prison, holding and executing some of Australia's most notorious criminals, including the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly.

Today, the Old Melbourne Gaol has been repurposed as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the darker side of Victoria's history. The museum showcases the gaol's original cell blocks, the execution area, and an array of memorabilia that provides insight into the lives of prisoners and staff during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Visitors can explore the three-story museum at their own pace or opt for a guided tour, which often includes chilling tales of the gaol's history and ghost stories that are sure to send a shiver down your spine. The museum is not only an educational experience but also an immersive one, with interactive exhibits such as the Watch House Experience, where guests can experience what it was like to be arrested and locked up in the 19th century.

Alternative names: Opened: 1 January 1845 (180 years ago)Closed: 1924Coordinates: 37°48'28"S, 144°57'54"E

Address

377 Russell StCity of Melbourne (Melbourne CBD)Melbourne 3000 Australia

Contact

+61 3 9656 9889

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Melbourne

Day trips

Old Melbourne Gaol – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Melbourne Central, Queen Victoria Village, RMIT Melbourne City campus, RMIT Design Hub.

~1110 ftSW
Shopping, Shopping centre, Neighbourhood
Melbourne Central, Melbourne
6 min walk • Melbourne Central is a vibrant and expansive shopping centre nestled in the heart of Melbourne, Australia. This architectural marvel is not just a shopping destination but a cultural hub that reflects the city's dynamic spirit.
~920 ftS
Shopping, Shopping centre, Edwardian architecture
Queen Victoria Village, Melbourne
5 min walk • Queen Victoria Village, more commonly known as QV Melbourne, is a prominent shopping and lifestyle precinct nestled in the heart of Melbourne, Australia. This urban village is a blend of retail, dining, and leisure, offering a diverse experience to locals and tourists...
~670 ftW
Universities and schools, Shopping, Bookshop
RMIT Melbourne City campus, Melbourne
4 min walk • The Melbourne City campus of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology is located in the city centre of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. It is sometimes referred to as "RMIT City" and the "RMIT Quarter" of the city in the media.
~870 ftNW
Museum, Postmodern architecture
RMIT Design Hub, Melbourne
5 min walk • The RMIT Design Hub is a design hub that houses research, archive, exhibition and studio space of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. Completed in May 2012 the Design Hub was designed by Sean Godsell Architects in association with Peddle Thorp Architects.
~900 ftNW
Shopping, Shopping district
Swanston Street, Melbourne
5 min walk • Swanston Street is a major thoroughfare in the centre of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is one of the main streets of the Melbourne central business district and was laid out in 1837 as part of the original Hoddle Grid.
~590 ftW
37°48'27"S • 144°57'47"E
Hardrock, Melbourne
3 min walk • Climbing, Game and entertainment center
~1020 ftSW
Cultural hub in 19th-century buildings
State Library of Victoria, Melbourne
5 min walk • The State Library Victoria is the main library of the Australian state of Victoria. Located in Melbourne, it was established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, making it Australia's oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world.
~650 ftNW
Baths, Sport venue, Sport
City Baths, Melbourne
4 min walk • The City Baths, located at 420 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia, opened in 1904 as public baths, with swimming pools and bathing facilities. Extensively renovated in the early 1980s, it is now considered one of Melbourne's most architecturally and historically significant buildings.
~750 ftN
Church
Lygon Street Christian Chapel, Melbourne
4 min walk • Lygon Street Christian Chapel is an Evangelical church in the inner-city suburb of Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, built in 1865, and designed by architect W.M. Moore. The services were led by a 'preacher'. The preacher prior to February 1867 was American Reverend H.S. Earl. He was replaced by fellow Americans T.J. Gore and G.L.
~590 ftNE
Music and shows, Nightlife, Music venue
Victorian Trades Hall, Melbourne
3 min walk • Victorian Trades Hall is the headquarters of the Victorian Trades Hall Council. It is located on the corner of Lygon Street and Victoria Street, just north of the Melbourne central business district, in the suburb of Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is the world's oldest trade union building.
~1140 ftSW
Tower
Coop's Shot Tower, Melbourne
6 min walk • Coop's Shot Tower is a shot tower located in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, Australia. It was completed in 1889 and is 50 metres high.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Old Melbourne Gaol open?

Old Melbourne Gaol is open:

Monday 9:30 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 9:30 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am - 5 pm
Thursday 9:30 am - 5 pm
Friday 9:30 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9:30 am - 5 pm
Sunday 9:30 am - 5 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Old Melbourne Gaol?

Nearby attractions include Russell Street Police Headquarters, Melbourne (2 min walk), RMIT University Library, Melbourne (2 min walk), Former Melbourne Magistrates' Court, Melbourne (3 min walk), Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy, Melbourne (3 min walk).

How to get to Old Melbourne Gaol by public transport?

The nearest stations to Old Melbourne Gaol:

Bus

Old Melbourne Gaol/Russell Street • Lines: 200, 207 (2 min walk)
La Trobe Street/Russell Street • Lines: 200, 207 (3 min walk)

Tram

Stop 7: Russell Street • Lines: 30, 35 (3 min walk)
Stop 7: RMIT University • Lines: 1, 16, 16d, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 64, 64d, 67, 67d, 6d, 72 (3 min walk)

Train

Melbourne Central (6 min walk)
Parliament (13 min walk)

Ferry

Port Phillip Ferries (33 min walk)