Location Castlemaine, Victoria Closed 1990 | Opened 1857 | |
The Old Castlemaine Gaol was a prison located in Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia. The prison was modelled on Pentonville; the present building replaced the original, designed by Inspector General John Price, was never occupied. Built in 1861 to house offenders from the goldfields and nearby towns, it served various functions in the penal system before it was closed down and its prisoners transferred to HM Prison Loddon in 1990. Since, it has been used as a hotel and tourist attraction. It served as the studio for local community radio station WMA FM 94.9. It is now open to the public and offers regular guided tours where visitors can explore what lies behind the old stone walls of this prison. The complex also includes the Governor's Cafe and is the venue for a number of shows and events.
The grounds were originally landscaped by renowned landscape gardener Hugh Linaker.