Old Melbourne Jail

The Old Melbourne Jail is a former maximum-security prison that once held Australia’s most notorious criminals. Now a heritage site, the jail is open to the public and visitors can journey deep into its past. Located in the heritage-listed Melbourne Gaol precinct in the heart of Melbourne, visitors can explore the dank cells, the prison chapel, the execution yard and other macabre relics used in the prison’s darkest years. Visitors can try to imagine what life was like as an inmate, before being hanged or flogged. Entry includes an audio tour featuring haunting stories of some of the jail's most infamous inmates. There are also guided walking tours, exhibitions, talks and events throughout the year.