Old Melbourne Gaol Museum
Former 19th-century prison museum in Melbourne
19th-century prison in central Melbourne turned museum, known for its convict cells and executions including Ned Kelly's. Visitors tour cells and exhibits on colonial justice and prison life.
Old Melbourne Gaol at a Glance#
Address: 377 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Website: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/oldmelbournegaol/
Hours: Daily 10:00am-5:00pm (special night tours vary)
Admission: Adults approx. AUD 35 (varies by tour); concessions available
About Old Melbourne Gaol#
Old Melbourne Gaol is a 19th-century prison complex in central Melbourne, Victoria, now operated as a museum interpreting colonial penal history. The site preserves original cell blocks, exercise yards and execution facilities from its operational period.
The gaol was built in the mid-19th century during Melbourne’s rapid growth and was used as a place of incarceration and execution through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After closure as an operational prison, parts of the complex were retained and converted into a museum that interprets its penal history.
The gaol sits on the northern edge of Melbourne’s central business district in Victoria, within walking distance of central city streets and public transport hubs.
- Ned Kelly connection: A well-known associate is Ned Kelly, the bushranger who was hanged at the gaol in 1880; his cell and related displays are part of the visitor route.
- Guided and night tours: The site operates as a museum with guided tours and occasional night tours that focus on the gaol’s penal history and architecture.
What to See#
- Execution Yard: The Execution Yard contains the built gallows and the site where several 19th-century and early 20th-century executions took place; it is part of the preserved outdoor area of the museum complex.
- Main Cell Block: The Main Cell Block displays original cells, exercise yards and prison fittings used during the gaol’s operation in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Museum exhibitions: The gaol museum includes exhibitions on criminal justice, authentic artefacts and a small interpretation area dedicated to the trial and execution of Ned Kelly in 1880.
How to Get to Old Melbourne Gaol#
The gaol is a 10-15 minute walk north from Melbourne’s central business district. Trams along Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets stop nearby; Flinders Street Station is a short tram or walk away.
Tips for Visiting Old Melbourne Gaol#
- Take the night tour for the gaol's most theatrical storytelling and to see the cells under different light.
- Book tickets online in advance for peak season - the gaol is a popular Melbourne attraction.
- Visit the nearby Old Melbourne Magistrates' Court and Hoddle Street precinct for a Victorian-era cluster of sites.
Best Time to Visit Old Melbourne Gaol#
Year-round access with milder months (autumn to spring) preferred for walking and combined city sights.
Weather & Climate near Old Melbourne Gaol#
Old Melbourne Gaol's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 6°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (661 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 15° - 26° | 20° | 54 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 15° - 26° | 21° | 47 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 14° - 24° | 19° | 44 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 11° - 20° | 16° | 53 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 9° - 17° | 13° | 59 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 7° - 14° | 11° | 49 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 6° - 14° | 7° | 45 mm | - | - | 5.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 7° - 15° | 11° | 55 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 8° - 17° | 12° | 59 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 10° - 19° | 15° | 69 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 11° - 22° | 17° | 65 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 13° - 24° | 19° | 62 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |
