Adelaide Gaol

Another review I missed: Visited this historical place during the Easter break. The staff were really friendly and helpful — they gave us a map and a quick explanation of what to see. There’s so much history in one place, with many interesting stories. This is definitely a must-visit if you’re coming to Adelaide for the first time.

Adelaide Gaol locates at 18 Gaol Road where is not difficult to drive to. Compare with other museums, it doesn’t have air conditioning exhibition halls and beautiful interior decorations. However, its real heritage and historical displays are worth enough for us to spend nearly two hours to walk through it (actually, multiple blocks joined together to form this museum). After parking outside the prison, we walked to the admission counter to purchase our entry tickets. We started our self-guided tour after having a brief introduction given by the lovely staff

It was certainly an interesting but eerie visit! At the time we visited there was only a handful of other visitors so we could explore everything in peace which was nice. The employees were lovely and helpful. At the entrance we got handed a map with a suggested path to follow to ensure you see everything which was very helpful. There was a lot of exhibits with many stories of past inmates to read. Most of the gaol has been well preserved; many graffiti’s from past prisoners are able to be observed within the cell doors. Some areas were definitely spooky considering a fair few prisoners have been executed here and are buried within the outer wall. It was interesting to have seen the gaol once and I would recommend it to others however it is not something I would re visit.necessarily.

We took a self-guided tour on a weekday. If you're into history, this establishment is an important part of Adelaide's history. The facility is very well-maintained & immaculately kept.

The Old Adelaide Gaol stands as a hauntingly fascinating relic of South Australia's penal history. Stepping through its imposing gates, visitors are immediately transported to a grim past where the echoes of incarcerated lives seem to linger in every brick. The self-guided tour allows for a deeply personal exploration, winding through narrow cell blocks, the exercise yards, and even the chilling execution room. While the atmosphere is undeniably somber, the gaol offers a remarkably insightful look into 19th and 20th-century prison life, highlighting the harsh realities faced by both inmates and staff. Information panels provide context, detailing notorious prisoners and significant events. It's a place that provokes thought about justice, punishment, and the evolution of human rights. Despite its dark history, the Old Adelaide Gaol is an essential visit for anyone interested in Australian social history or seeking a genuinely unique and somewhat unsettling experience. Allow ample time to absorb the weighty ambiance of this incredibly preserved landmark.

We enjoy visit Gaols and historical places and this one is one of the better ones we have seen - great spot and we also enjoyed our lunch here too

Had a great time here on my free 1 year stay a few years back. Meet some nice friendly people there. The only why couldn't I leave they had guards stopping me when I tried to get out. Also the food is not the best but I guess if its free its worth it. Just maybe make it a bit more friendly and not constrain people to there rooms.