A bluestone former prison operating from 1842 to 1929, best known as the site of bushranger Ned Kelly's 1880 execution, now a museum with preserved cells, death masks, and evening ghost tours.
Old Melbourne Gaol is a bluestone former prison on Russell Street in the Melbourne CBD, built in stages from 1842 and operating until 1929, now preserved as a museum by the National Trust of Victoria. Its most famous inmate was bushranger Ned Kelly, hanged in the gaol's condemned cell in 1880, and the museum displays his death mask alongside those of other executed prisoners along the ground-floor cell block. Visitors walk three levels of narrow original cells, many fitted with information panels on notable inmates, capital punishment, and 19th-century prison conditions, and can climb to the upper tiers via the original cast-iron staircases and walkways. A daytime self-guided visit takes about an hour to 90 minutes; the after-dark Hangman's Night Tour, a separately ticketed guided experience focused on the gaol's darker history and reputed hauntings, runs about 90 minutes and creates a noticeably different, more theatrical atmosphere than the daytime exhibits. The gaol is calmest in the late morning on weekdays and busiest on weekend afternoons and during the popular evening ghost tours, which frequently sell out on Friday and Saturday nights. The most striking photo opportunities are the vaulted cell-block interior looking up through all three tiers, and the condemned cell where Ned Kelly's death mask is displayed.
| Admission | Adult AUD 38 / approx. USD 27 · Child AUD 22 / approx. USD 16 (ages 5-15) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 10AM-5PM (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day) |
| Typical visit | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time | Late afternoon for the daytime exhibits, or an evening ghost tour for the full atmosphere |
| Getting there | Melbourne Central train station is a 5-minute walk; tram routes 24, 30, and 35 stop nearby on Victoria/Russell St |
| Address | 377 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000 |
Location
377 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
-37.8078, 144.9633 View on map
Highlights
- Ned Kelly's death mask and condemned cell where he was hanged in 1880
- Three tiers of original 19th-century bluestone cell blocks
- Cast-iron internal staircases and walkways from the gaol's working era
- Separately ticketed evening Hangman's Night ghost tour
- Displays on capital punishment and prison conditions in colonial Victoria
Tips for visiting
- Book the evening Hangman's Night Tour online in advance, as weekend sessions regularly sell out
- A combined day-and-night ticket is cheaper than buying daytime entry and the ghost tour separately
- The gaol has no lift between upper cell tiers, so allow for stairs on the visit
- Late morning on a weekday is the quietest time for a self-guided walk-through
- The gift shop near the exit sells National Trust of Victoria heritage merchandise
When to visit
Late morning on a weekday for the daytime exhibits, or a booked evening slot for the Hangman's Night ghost tour.
Accessibility
The ground floor cell block is wheelchair accessible, but the upper two tiers are reached only by the original cast-iron staircases with no lift alternative.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Old Melbourne Gaol take?
A daytime self-guided visit takes about an hour to 90 minutes; the evening Hangman's Night Tour runs a separate 90-minute session.
Is Old Melbourne Gaol worth it for kids?
The daytime exhibits suit most families, though the subject matter -- executions and 19th-century punishment -- can be confronting for younger children, and the evening ghost tour is better suited to older kids and adults.
Is photography allowed at Old Melbourne Gaol?
Yes, photography is allowed throughout the daytime exhibits and most evening tours for personal use.
Is Old Melbourne Gaol associated with Ned Kelly?
Yes, bushranger Ned Kelly was held and executed at the gaol in 1880, and his death mask remains on display in the condemned cell.