Old Melbourne Gaol Ghost Tour: Unexplained Tales After Dark

Cold stone walls, bone-strumming tales, and the unexplained sights that linger after dark

This night ghost tour of Old Melbourne Gaol takes you through the building after dark with a guide who shares decades of unexplained sightings, sounds and encounters gathered from visitors and staff. The tour runs about an hour, is led by guides with intimate knowledge of the gaol's darker history, and is for ages 16 and older. The experience is conducted in darkness and includes confined spaces, so wear appropriate footwear and arrive 15 minutes early to avoid being turned away.

Step-by-step itinerary

Night ghost tour at Old Melbourne Gaol

• Join night tour at Old Melbourne Gaol
• Listen to bone-chilling ghost stories
• Explore confined, dark spaces
• Hear tales of unexplained sights and sounds
• Experience guided supernatural storytelling

The experience

The Old Melbourne Gaol's cold stone walls hold stories that have never been proven, yet persist. This night tour takes you into those mysteries with a guide who knows the building's darker history intimately. You'll hear tales of the eerie and the haunted: accounts gathered over years from people who have worked and visited here. The tour is not for the faint of heart. The stories are sometimes graphic, which is why it's restricted to ages 16 and older.

Expect to move through the gaol in darkness, which means the space itself becomes part of the experience. Confined areas are part of the route, so wear shoes that grip and move with confidence. You'll have about an hour inside the building. Photography and filming aren't allowed during the tour itself, but there's time to take photos once it ends. The gaol is partially wheelchair accessible, though stairs and upper levels may limit where you can go.

Arrive 15 minutes before the start time: latecomers won't be admitted and won't get a refund. Dates for this tour are released at least two weeks in advance, so you'll need to check ahead. Public transport options are nearby if you're not driving, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though the darkness and confined spaces are the real test here.

What’s included

Night tour of Old Melbourne Gaol conducted in darkness with a guide sharing unexplained tales and encounters from the building's history.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 20:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearby

Operated by National Trust of Australia (Victoria)

Is this one for you?An hour in the dark with confined spaces means this tour works for anyone who wants the gaol's stranger stories but needs to be back in the city for the rest of the evening. The age restriction to 16 and up and the graphic nature of some tales make it clear who this is built for.

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Top questions

What kind of stories will the guide tell on this ghost tour?

The guide shares decades of unexplained sights, sounds and encounters that visitors and staff have reported at Old Melbourne Gaol over the years. The tales are sometimes graphic in nature and focus on the eerie and the haunted: accounts that have never been proven but persist within the gaol's history.

Why is this tour only for ages 16 and up?

The stories told during the tour are sometimes graphic in nature, which is why the gaol restricts entry to ages 16 and older. The experience is also conducted in darkness and includes confined spaces, which adds to the intensity.

Can I take photos during the Old Melbourne Gaol ghost tour?

No filming or photography is allowed while the tour is happening. At the end of the tour, there will be time to take photos inside the gaol.

What should I wear for a night tour in the dark?

Appropriate footwear is recommended because you'll be moving through the gaol in darkness and through confined spaces. Shoes that grip well will help you move with confidence.

How accessible is Old Melbourne Gaol for wheelchair users?

The gaol offers partial wheelchair accessibility. Some areas, such as stairs and upper levels, may limit access, so check ahead if you need to know which parts of the building you can reach.

When can I book this tour and what time should I arrive?

Dates for this tour are released at least two weeks before event dates, so you'll need to check ahead for availability. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour start time. Latecomers will not be granted entry and will not receive a refund.