Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Western Gaol Wall Archway

— Old Melbourne Gaol —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 16, 2026

1. Western Gaol Wall Archway Marker

Inscription. This archway in the western Gaol wall, was later infilled to create a secure exercise Yard for female prisoners (west of this wall). The archway was subsequently re-opened and window installed to get some natural light into the Police Garage, situated east of this wall, from 1937 until 1995.

Erected by RMIT University. (Marker Number 14.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 37° 48.492′ S, 144° 57.906′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It can be reached from Russell Street 0.1 kilometers south of MacKenzie Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 357 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ironstone Walls and Footings

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(a few steps from this marker); The Kelly Gate (a few steps from this marker); The Melbourne Gaol Men's Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Gaol Bluestone (a few steps from this marker); 2nd Cell Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Bluestone Gaol Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Site History - Old Melbourne Gaol (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Melbourne Gaol Trust Marker (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . Old Melbourne Gaol. Wikipedia

With the discovery of gold in 1851 (when the Port Phillip District became the new Colony of Victoria), and the resulting influx of population, law and order became more difficult to maintain. Subsequently, a new wing, with its own perimeter wall, was constructed between 1852 and 1854; the building using bluestone instead of sandstone. The design was based on that of British prison engineer Joshua Jebb, and especially the designs for the Pentonville Model Prison in London (which suited the current prison reform theories at the time). The new wing was extended in between
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 16, 2026

2. Western Gaol Wall Archway Marker and Gate
1857 and 1859, with the boundary wall also being extended during this time. In 1860, a new north wing was built; which included entrance buildings, a central hall and chapel. Between 1862 and 1864, a cell block was built for female prisoners on the western side – it was basically a replica of the present east block (until this time, female convicts were not kept apart from the male prisoners). In 1864, the perimeter wall, and the gaol overall, was completed; making it a dominant feature of authority on the Melbourne skyline.

(Submitted on June 23, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 23, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.