Some say you can hear the rattle of iron manacles in the ghostly Old Geelong Gaol. And no wonder! Built in 1853, the giant bluestone edifice has housed some of Victoria's toughest and most notorious criminals. In the early days, many felons were hanged on the gaol's gallows. Today, visitors can tour the former high-security prison that was still in use until July 1991. The gaol was based on the design of the Pentonville prison in the United Kingdom and constructed of basalt (locally known as bluestone). Convicts were used to do the work and they were housed in hulks moored in Corio Bay. The Rotary Club of Geelong operates the gaol as a tourist attraction. Visitors can stroll the eerie, cold prison corridors, experience the primitive conditions prisoners faced and see solitary confinement cells where stale bread and water were on the menu. The prison gallows were first used in 1863 and a display depicts this macabre event. James Murphy was hanged for beating a policeman to death with a hammer.

For more information call 03 5221 8292.

Opening Hours
Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 11am - 3pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Closed: Christmas, Boxing, New Years Day & Good Friday

Address
Cnr Myers & Swanston Streets
Geelong, 3220