Old Melbourne Gaol

Really interesting place. It’s a holding cell for prisoners in the past before they went to a real jail.
Inside, there are three floors of holding pens. There are lots of pictures, videos, and information about the place. You can really spend a long time in here just looking at everything.
The best part of it was that you can sign up and pay to get «arrested.» It’s actually really fun and you do really feel like you are getting arrested. All young kids should do this so they can get scared into not committing crimes. Definitely scary to have to spend time in the holding cell. Cool experience. Don’t want to give away everything.

Not your usual place that you would visit as a tourist but it looked too fascinating to pass up. I like the fact that it was not garishly lit –gives you a feel of the real Gaol when it was in use. Lots of historical information in and around the cells. Complete with gallows on the second floor. And yes even in the daylight I got a tremendous feeling of dread and «not being alone» in a cell on the second floor.

Melbourne Goal has a varied and highly interesting history that started in the 1800’s and continues today. The Goal is build into two main sections, this historical side which contains information relating to Ned Kelly and the modern section, that was in use until fairly recently. The National Trust looks after this historical site for both locals and tourists alike. You can visit for you a couple of hours, either the historical site or the modern (audience participation) site for around $ 20. Also on offer are ghost tours, sleep overs and educational workshops. This attraction has won many awards and is a top stop to learn more about Australian legends and Victorian history.

Went to see the old melbourne gaol on 20-​01-​2014 and got talked into the watch house tour as well didn’t realize the woman guide doing the the tour was treating people as if they were inmates, suposedly all in good fun but I think she took it a bit too far insulted me personaly about my hair or lack of and if you asked her a question she yelled the answer back right in you’re face, didn’t enjoy it, sorry I went will never go again and will tell everyone I know don’t bother they treat you like crap don’t waist your money.

So odd to think this jail was in use up until 1994 and there is graffiti from old prisoners. It was nifty walking about examining and exploring the surroundings, walking into cells, and seeing the meager amenities provided to those arrested. There was also a tour guide who acted like an old-​school prison guard and it made me crack up.

A must do to see the historic darker side of the city. Really enjoyed our few hours wandering around and wondering what it must have been like being a prisioner here. Take time to read up on the history of some it’s «Guests»

In the north-​west corner of Melbourne city, adjoining the RMIT campus sits what should be considered one of our country’s richest pieces of history. The Old Melbourne Goal was ‘home’ to Ned Kelly among other less notable crims of their time and was the resting place for equally as many who were sentenced to execution. On the insistance of my boyfriend we dutifully paid our entrance fee and entered into the goal proper. Small cell blocks with plaques telling stories of the inmate’s death mask within. The sense of incredibly bad vibes throughout the entire building is self explanatory and while it was in some sick sense interesting to see Ned Kelly’s death mask, the whole experience was too morose for me (and actually a little boring — there’s only so many cells you can look into before you get the drift they were confined in less than luxury conditions). As per my tip, if you’re into Australian history, then you’ll probably get a kick out of a visit here. For me, I’d rather explore Melbourne by foot and soak up it’s architectural history.

The gaol (jail) itself is worth an hour or so walking around. As tourists, the Australian criminals were unfamiliar, so it wasn’t as fun as going to Alcatraz. But the tour gets an extra star and a half for the part where they take you and «arrest» you. Basically, this prison guard (who was hilariously imposing) hands out a rap sheet to everyone and then makes fun of you while telling you the crappy conditions you’re about to live in. I didn’t get the name of the guy who was there, but he was hilarious and made our day. I’d encourage anyone who checks out the gaol to get that portion of the tour, it’s a lot of fun :)

The best ghost tour ever! I got about three photos with orbs and what looks like a man in a. Hat with a moe that is transparent! We had the best time, our tour guide was excellent and has a very great knowledge of the gaol and his real ghost stories were a treat. Cell 17 is my fav… Very strange cell and gave me a very strange experience, there is an angry woman in that room! My vision and feeling in that room will live with me forever!
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How can you not like this place? Its big, old, looks haunted and was the last place Ned Kelly called home before he muttered the last infamous words ‘such is life’. Excellent tours, I recommend jumping on the Watchman Tour (I think its called this) where you are treated like a prisoner and locked up before going on a detailed tour where you hear stories about inmates, their life in the jail and also some of the weird things they were getting locked up for eg being loud (I read about a 5yr old who was locked up for disturbing the peace). A really good place to go if you are in Melbourne for a few days I highly recommend it

Do you want to go to an old historic landmark only to have it ruined and rented out to RMIT for a bunch of pretentious art pieces? Or how about a courtroom reenactment of Ned Kelly’s trial performed by a bunch of semi-​illiterate children? Then Old Melbourne Gaol is for you!
The gaol itself was interesting, but random cells had clown masks, ball pits, tent poles and other ‘modern art exhibits’ ruining the ambience and making a mockery of its historical significance. I really hope they remove them soon.
As for the courtroom re-​enactment, it sounds like their usual group of actors were all unavailable, and I don’t want to be too harsh on those volunteering their free time, but it just further soured the taste in my mouth.

The Old Melbourne Gaol was built in the mid-​1800s and it was a symbol of authority in Melbourne. Not being from Australia I was really excited to check out the jail even though I did not know much about the criminals that lived here.
I learned that this jail housed dangerous criminals, homeless and mentally ill people. 135 people were hung here for there crimes including the notorious Ned Kelly. He seemed like a really bad guy. The gift shop also had Ned Kelly dolls. Not a fun toy for the kids. I actually found the souvenir store funny. I did buy a magnet frame that said, «Wanted» and I could stick my photo in it. Yes it is sitting on my fridge in Chicago.
Walking through the jail is a great way to see how criminals were made to live out there prison sentences. Jail is a place where no one should ever want to go. I was really glad that I got to see a piece of Melbourne History.

On one of my return visits to Australia
I felt I had to visit the gaol which housed
Ned Kelly. It was grimly fascinating to
see the extraordinary suits of armour that
Ned & his mates had made — quite skilfully —
out of old metal plough parts (we call it
recycling today but it was a tour de force
in 1880)& the trap door to the area where
he swung to his death. The whole prison is
well curated & is a must for anyone visiting
Melbourne, who wants an insight into the
other side of life in 19^th century Australia.

The Old Melbourne Gaol is a museum and former prison located in Russell Street (between La Trobe and Victoria Street), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Currently it consists of a bluestone building and courtyard and is located next to the old City Police Station and City Courts buildings.
Its the prison famous for holding Ned Kelley the famous Australian bush outlaw. He was hanged here along with many other serious offenders. A chilling look into Australias criminal history.