Old Melbourne Gaol

The Basics

Step inside the more than 150-year-old building to discover displays and exhibits about the jail’s disturbing past and infamous criminals. Whether visiting on your own or with a private city tour, delve into the stories and legends of Melbourne’s criminal past and view memorabilia such as death masks, prisoner information, weapons from Ned Kelly’s gang, and the platform from which Kelly was hanged.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Old Melbourne Gaol is ideal for adventure seekers and history buffs.

• Book admission tickets online to avoid waiting in line.

• Take a candlelight tour and learn about the ghosts and spirits that are said to haunt the halls of the old jail.

• The jail is suitable for guests with hearing impairment, from mild hearing loss to the profoundly deaf.

• The ground floor, which contains 80 percent of the museum information, is accessible to wheelchair users; VR goggles are available for those with limited mobility to experience the other two floors.

How to Get There

The Old Melbourne Gaol is located on Russell Street in Melbourne’s CBD. It is a 2-minute walk from Melbourne Central Station, and from tram stop 7 on the number 35 City Circle tram at the corner of La Trobe and Russell streets.

When to Get There

The museum and jail are open daily from 9:30am to 5pm, except Christmas Day and Good Friday. Night tours are scheduled separately and take place in the evenings between 7:30pm and 9pm; booking is essential.

A Night to Remember

The Old Melbourne Gaol holds evening tours and even reenactments that showcase some of the wild events that took place within its walls. Take a ghost tour and learn about the dark souls that may still roam the stone corridors, or spend a grim evening in the watchhouse set in the original cell block of some notorious criminals.