Old Melbourne Gaol

Considered as the oldest surviving jail house in Melbourne, Australia, the Old Melbourne Gaol served as a final home for Australia's most wicked criminals and lunatics until 1929. It was built from 1841 to 1864 by the Public Works Department and the whole site is made of a bluestone building and a courtyard situated beside the City Courts Building which is now used by the RMIT University and the old City Police Station.

After its closure in the late 20's, it became a popular museum that attracts thousands of visitors each year because of its grim but fascinating exhibits. Visitors can see ancient artifacts such as death masks that were used in the field of phrenology, which aims to understand and predict the behavior of a criminal. Other fascinating items include torture and punishment devices such as "cat-of-nine" tails, lashing triangles, the Hangman's Box, and the armor and scaffold where the notorious bushranger Ned Kelly was executed in 1880. The skull of Ned Kelly was said to be displayed at the Old Melbourne Gaol but it was rumored to be stolen by thieves in 1978 and since then, it was never recovered, although the authenticity of the skull is still in question until today.

Other infamous criminals hanged in this institution were Francis Knorr, a notorious baby serial killer dubbed as the "baby farmer" who was executed in the 19th century and Elizabeth Scott, who was the first female criminal ever to be executed in Melbourne. With a total of more than a 130 hangings, visitors passing through its ghostly corridors can't help but feel an eerie sensation.

As part of the rich Australian history, this jail was re-opened during the Second World War and served as detention barracks for the military. It also played a major role during the Victorian Gold Rush in Australia during 1851 and in the Eureka Stockade Rebellion which was started by a group of gold miners who complained of maltreatment and abuse by the British officials who supervised the gold mining activities.

As a popular tourist attraction, private and self-guided tours are available from 9:30 a.m to 5 p.m daily except during Holy Friday and Christmas day. A night tour, enhanced with theatrical performances, runs on selected evenings. Visitors should come by on a Saturday so as not to miss a live performance based on the legend of the notorious "bushranger" Ned Kelly entitled "Such is Life." Candle-lit night tours are also worth experiencing, as the spooky ambiance of the place comes to life with reports of restless spirits roaming through the corridors. Ghost stories during the night tour are also enhanced by photos with ghosts in it or whitish "ectoplasms," making the Old Melbourne Gaol a favorite destination for thrill seekers and ghost hunters.

For visitors seeking to catch a glimpse of dark Australian history, the Old Melbourne Gaol is the ultimate destination for the young and old.