Old Melbourne Gaol: Entrance

In the 19th century, the Old Melbourne Gaol was one of the most feared places for Australian criminals. Its cramped cells, cold walls and gloomy atmosphere made it an infamous prison in Melbourne's colonial history. Follow in the footsteps of the notorious outlaw Ned Kelly, executed there in 1880, and discover haunting tales of inmates, wrongful convictions and dark episodes from the past. You'll also learn the story of other notorious characters, such as gangster Squizzy Taylor, who passed through its cells. Now managed by the National Trust of Australia, the former prison allows you to tour its three original levels, see the gallows where more than 100 people were executed and view Ned Kelly's death mask. In addition, special exhibits reveal the harsh reality that women and children lived behind bars.