Old Melbourne Gaol is a former prison turned out museum situated at the top of Russell road Melbourne. Visiting Old Melbourne Gaol should be on your one of your things to do list in Melbourne.
The old Melbourne Gaol, Crime and justice experience is something to experience for all the history lovers , Its very fascinating and also gives an insight of judicial system of Victorian era in Australia. This former jail is converted into museum and operated by National trust of Australia (Vic) .
I went here on a Saturday afternoon and experienced a guided tour by a lady sergeant. She was lady of steel who gave a real experience of the jail for all the visitors. We even got locked up in a prison for few minutes to experience the feel of living in a prison. Though it was a nice experience but its not something one would ever wish for.
It was fun to read the walls of the prisons, many prisoners used those walls to vent out their frustration of being locked up and many were actually discovered their creative sides on the walls of prisons and doors.
The old Melbourne Gaol was first constructed in 1839 and operated as prison between 1842 to 1929. The Gaol has witnessed execution of 133 people ( statistics available as registered on paper) A notorious criminal and a Robin-Hood of Australia- Ned Kelly was imprisoned and excuted in this goal
One of the highlight of this guided tour was mug shots. Yes you can take your mug shots here for fun.
Prisons of Old Melbourne Gaol exhibits a collection of death masks , Armour used by Ned kelly and many others and also the art of hanging. There is a display of death masks of the executed prisoner along with description of their life and crimes. This part of the Gaol gives an insight of the way law and order maintaned those days.
The old melbbourne Gaol is also listed as a most haunted place of Australia. Many paranormal enthusiasts visit here in the hope of meeting or spotting a ghost here. The ghost of Gaol has gained such a popularity here, even the museum administration of Gaol operates a night tour for all who are interested in ghost hunting and love to take up dares. I want to experience this one. If time permits I will take up this night tour to Gaol very soon.
Here are few pictures I clicked in Old Melbourne Gaol. I have lots to tell about this museum, so I make another post . Read up the continuation in my next blog.
