Mount Gambier Gaol, Historical prison in Mount Gambier, South Australia.
Mount Gambier Gaol is a stone building displaying nineteenth-century prison design, with thick walls, iron-barred windows, and a central courtyard surrounded by high perimeter walls. The layout reflects how correctional facilities were structured during that era.
The building opened in 1866 after several construction delays and functioned as a correctional facility until 1995 when operations relocated. A separate section was added in 1873 for female prisoners, representing an early step toward gender-separated detention in South Australian institutions.
The cells display photographs and objects showing how inmates and guards lived and worked within these walls. These items help visitors understand the daily routines that unfolded here for over a century.
Guests can stay overnight in converted prison cells that retain original features while offering modern conveniences including comfortable beds and electricity. This accommodation option provides an immersive way to experience the space where history unfolded.
The facility preserves extensive records documenting individual inmates and their offenses, offering a window into life during that period. These archives reveal personal stories of people who passed through its doors.
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