Old Castlemaine Gaol, Victorian Heritage Register prison in Castlemaine, Australia.
Old Castlemaine Gaol is a former prison in Castlemaine built between 1857 and 1861 from local sandstone and Harcourt granite. The complex follows the Pentonville design with radial wings extending from a central hall, creating separate sections for different prisoner categories.
The facility was built during Victoria's gold rush when the colony needed more prisons to handle increased population and crime. It was one of eight prisons constructed to the same Pentonville design between 1857 and 1864, and it continued operating until 1990.
The layout shows how 19th-century authorities wanted to observe and control prisoners, with guards able to watch all wings from the center. This design philosophy reveals what people of that era believed about punishment and surveillance.
The site is located on Bowden Street and welcomes visitors with guided tours that explain its history and architecture. Check ahead about tour schedules, as availability can vary by season.
The sandstone and granite came from nearby quarries, tying the building directly to its local landscape and resources. This choice of materials gives it a distinct appearance compared to prison buildings in urban areas that used imported stone.
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