Old Melbourne gaol is a Museum housed in the former prison building on Russell street in Melbourne. Among the exhibits – death masks and memorabilia of some famous criminals, including the infamous ned Kelly. This "forest hunter" in 1880, was convicted of killing a police officer, executed and buried on prison grounds. Throughout the history of the prison it was executed 135 people. Today, the Museum is visited by about 140 thousand of tourists every year.

The construction of the prison began in 1839 and finally concluded only 23 years later. The project involved the use of many innovations to improve control over prisoners, the building ventilation system and steam heating, however, not all plans could be implemented. In 1924, the prison was closed, and the building even dismantled. During the Second World war was placed here war criminals, and later the building was used as a warehouse. Only in 1972 the former prison has been converted into a Museum.

They say that the corridors of the prison wandering at night the ghosts of the prisoners, and local parapsychologists even managed to record the voice of some woman calling for help!

In 1957 the building of the Old Melbourne jail was listed as a national heritage. Today it is considered the oldest in Victoria institution, where prisoners were held.