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Pentridge Prison Tours

From the time spent inside by some of Australia’s most notorious criminals to the anecdotes and lived experiences of thousands of people over several generations; our explorative tours will immerse you in a shared history of unsettling truths.

Tours are managed by the National Trust, Victoria. Experience the immersive tours via stories of people and place accessed via headsets (provided) and trained tour guides.  

Suggested for 16+

Key Features

• Night tours, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
• Guided audio tours

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Pentridge Prison Tours National Trust of Australia (Victoria)

Pentridge prison tours.

This is a place that challenges and confronts, deeply connected to the social and cultural fabric of Australia. The stories within this journey are deep, unique, and expose the intricacies of prison punishment. Visitors are able to explore the former prison’s B Division and the notorious H Division. Nights tours and family-friendly tours are also offered.

Established in 1851 and largely constructed in the period 1858 – 64, Pentridge is the largest prison complex constructed in Victoria in the 19th century, and operated as the central establishment in the wider prison system from the early 1860s. The complex of buildings, which remain on site, demonstrate a number of phases in the development of the penal system, including the ‘separate system’, which dominated penology in Victoria in the 19th century.

Until its closure in 1996, Pentridge was Victoria’s central prison and the most well-known and used gaol in the State’s history. Most of Victoria’s convicted and notorious criminals were gaoled there between 1900 and the 1990s. In 1967, Ronald Ryan, who was convicted of the murder of a prison officer during an escape from Pentridge, became the last person in Victoria to be hanged at Pentridge.

Celebrating 50 years of the Victorian Heritage Register 

Event dates

Event details.

Tours start at the Warders Residence, in the grassed courtyard beyond the Clock Tower.

Here you collect your ticket & meet your guide.

Monday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00am-4:00pm Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm Night Tours Thursday to Saturday: 6:30pm & 8:30pm

• Refreshments Available
• Accessible toilets

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You'll soon be able to take a guided tour of coburg's notorious pentridge prison.

The famed site is launching immersive daily tours, bringing history to life via original scores, true stories and voiceovers.

You've likely caught a flick at the cinema there (indoors and out ) or maybe even sipped beers in the courtyard of its newest resident, BrewDog . But come autumn, Melburnians will have a brand-new — and somewhat eerie — reason to visit Coburg's historic bluestone Pentridge Prison precinct.

From Wednesday, March 1, the prison itself will be throwing open the doors and kicking off daily guided tours , diving deep into the heritage-listed site's dark past. There'll be two 90-minute experiences running, touring B-Division and H-Division (also known as Hell Division), both delivered in collaboration with the National Trust Victoria and award-winning creative tech company Art Processors. The latter's work has featured at the likes of Mona, the Australian Sports Museum and the Sydney Opera House.

Visitors are in for an intriguing humanised history fix, with immersive audio elements and voiceovers by the likes of the late Uncle Jack Charles, a former inmate, and celebrated Indigenous Australian actress and director Rachael Maza.

You'll hear first-hand accounts of time spent within the walls of the prison since it opened in 1851, encountering plenty of grisly truths and out-there history along the way — including the questionable treatment of its First Nations prisoners.

Both tours will kick off exploring the multimedia exhibition in the former Warders' Residence, before heading off on a guided jaunt where the site's notorious history is brought to life via original scores, true stories and engaging installations.

You'll have the chance to see the prison's panopticon, known as the 'airing yards', and to wander through the original cells of B-Division. And, if you're ok with getting a little darker, you can tour the somewhat grimmer high-security unit of H-Division, with its observation cells and breaking yards.

"The National Trust Victoria believes that for too long, these stories have been shrouded in mystery and although the past is confronting, it is crucial that we do not forget the realities of those who were incarcerated, and we respectfully learn and share their truths," says Simon Ambrose, CEO National Trust Victoria.

Pentridge Prison Tours will launch daily from Wednesday, March 1 at Pentridge Prison, Coburg. Tickets are available online from Thursday, February 23.

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Pentridge Prison D Division Ghost Tour VICTORIA

• Duration: 2 Hours
• Location : Melbourne, VIC

Departs Pentridge Prison D Division Corner Urquhart Street & Wardens Walk South, Coburg

Walk in the footsteps of notorious Chopper Reed, discover the famous outlaw Ned Kelly’s remains and experience the final moments of Ronald Ryan, the last man to be executed in Australia. With 44 bodies buried on on-site and a who’s who of Australia’s criminal underworld calling Pentridge home, it's no wonder the building is haunted by its past. Be incarcerated at Pentridge Prison, home to Australia’s hardest and longest serving prisoners.

Tours run every Friday, Saturday & Sunday evening. 

Approximate   Duration:  1.5 hours

Venue: Mainly Indoors 

**Ages 16+ **

No refunds. Change of date permitted with a minimum of 48 hours notice  BEFORE your scheduled experience for a fee of $5 per order. New date  must be chosen at time of reschedule. Non-attendance and late  cancellation voids your order. 

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Pentridge Prison - H Division Night Tours July 2024 - October 2024

Join us for an unforgettable experience as we take you on a journey through one of the most notorious chapters in Australian history.

Select date and time

• Thursday August 22 6:30 PM
• Thursday August 22 8:30 PM
• Friday August 23 6:30 PM
• Friday August 23 8:30 PM
• Saturday August 24 6:30 PM
• More options

Pentridge Prison

Refund Policy

About this event, led by an expert guide and featuring cutting-edge immersive audio technology, this 90-minute tour will transport you back in time to h division – we learn of melbourne’s criminal underworld and punishment systems that has become infamous over the decades., with the use of alternative lighting and narratives from our day tours, we’ll uncover even deeper and darker stories that emerged from this notorious high-security unit. step inside the cells and rock-breaking yards of h division and gain an intimate understanding of the harsh realities that both inmates and guards faced..

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour start time to avoid disappointment. Latecomers will not be granted entry and will not be provided a refund. Tour times may vary - please carefully check your tour time.
• Please be advised that this tour is exclusively for individuals aged 16 years and above.
• Tours run for 90 minutes.
• The first 30 minutes of the tour will be held outdoors, so it’s important to dress appropriately for any weather conditions.
• Tickets are non-refundable.
• Appropriate footwear is recommended.
• Tickets go on sale 2 weeks in advance of any date and are available until sold out.

IMPORTANT VISITOR INFORMATION:

• All tours start at the tour office, located in the Former Warders Residence. Meet here to find your National Trust tour guide. Warders can be found in the grassed courtyard area at the Clock Tower entrance at 1 Champ St, Coburg.
• Parking can be found under the shopping centre via Whatmore Drive. As you come out of this car park, make your way to the ground floor via the elevators. Make your way towards the south sliding doors next to Cobrick cafe; and walk towards the Clock Tower, which should be on your right-hand-side, and you will find the tour office in the grassed courtyard area.
• The parking area features multiple designated parking spaces for individuals with mobility disabilities. All tours have been equipped with ramps and other access points to ensure access for wheelchair users.
• Please arrive 15mins before allocated tour start time.
• In the instance of changeable weather, we recommend bringing a jacket and possibly an umbrella.
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The First Nations Experience of Pentridge Prison | Tour with Chris Austin

Sat aug 31 2024 at 11:30 am utc+10:00, 1 champ street, coburg, vic, australia, victoria 3058 | coburg.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

1 Champ Street, Coburg, VIC, Australia, Victoria 3058

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Family Day Out, Date Night or Staycation: Spend it at Pentridge

Pentridge coburg, is a vibrant and one-of-a-kind urban village that breathes new life into its historic location. once the site of australia’s longest-running and harshest prison, the precinct now offers bespoke lively restaurants, bars, cafés and boutique fashion retailers you won’t find anywhere else..

To truly understand the history of this significant location, a Pentridge Prison Tour is a must. Led by National Trust Guides, these tours allow visitors to experience the complex history and untold stories of Australia’s most infamous prison. And with tours available for all ages, everyone is catered for.

With easy underground parking and direct public transport access, Pentridge is the perfect spot for a family day out, a date night with your special someone or a unique staycation

Family Day Out

Begin your day with a morning filled with intrigue on the Prison Break Explorers Tour . The tour is a fun and interactive dive into the secrets of Pentridge Prison great escapes, perfect for families seeking adventure. For those a little older, B-Division takes visitors through the changing face of the prison throughout its 160 years in operation. Please note that some paternal guidance is encouraged for B-Division tours.

After your tour, head across to BrewDog located in the former E-Division for a delightful lunch in their open-air courtyard. BrewDog’s menu caters for the whole family and is even pet-friendly! Or if you fancy a picnic, head to Richie’s IGA and pick up some goodies to enjoy in the sprawling grounds of Pentridge. There is plenty of outdoor seating in the precinct as well as a playground where the little ones can play safely.

The afternoon is a perfect time to sit back, relax and catch a movie at the state-of-the-art Palace Cinemas Pentridge . And before heading home, cap off the day with a sweet treat from Cielo Gelateria .

In need of ideas for a date night with your special someone? Make Thursday’s date night for a unique experience at Pentridge and we promise it will be a night to remember.

Start with dinner at the award-winning North&Common , an elevated bistro-style restaurant known for its exceptional menu. Then continue the evening with a Pentridge Prison Night Tour . This tour takes you inside H-Division, known as ‘hell division’, to hear the chilling tales of former inmates and guards. Just $89 per person includes a two-course dinner and the tour.

If you’re not yet ready to go home after your tour, finish the night with a late night beverage at the sophisticated Olive Wine Bar which offers an outstanding wine list, signature cocktails and craft spirits.

Weekend Staycation

For an extra-ordinary overnight staycation, book a stay at the swanky Adina Apartment Hotel .  Deliberately designed to contrast and complement the 170-year-old heritage site-turned-modern-lifestyle-precinct, it is a hotel destination unlike any other.

Or for a unique experience, book into The Interlude – Urban Retreat for a stay in the most glamorous of prison cells as well as taking in its relaxation pool and reflection garden.

After check-in and a stroll to take in the precinct, head to Brew Dog or The Yard for a casual lunch. Both offer exceptional menus in a casual but vibrant atmosphere within the historic bluestone walls.

After lunch, spend the afternoon taking in the history of this infamous site on a Pentridge Prison Tour. Learn about the time spent inside by some of Australia’s most notorious criminals and hear of the lived experiences of thousands of people over several generations. The National Trust runs tours exploring H Division, known as ‘hell-division by its maximum security inmates, and B Division which uncovers the changing regime of punishment and incarceration over the course of the prison’s 160 years in operation.

For those looking for a darker experience, Night Tours operate from Thursday to Saturday, so you can spend the afternoon at Palace Cinemas and be ready to delve into the dark history of Pentridge after the sun goes down.

Vacation is thirsty work, so pre-drinks at Olivine Wine Bar are a must. Set within the prison’s former B Division, the impressive 100-seat wine bar sees former heritage cells reimagined into plush and moody intimate booths and a walk-in cellar door.

Drinks set the tone for a delightful dinner at North & Common . Recently ‘hatted’, the seasonal menu promises to hero local Victorian produce, with a thoughtful wine list to match.

Cap off the evening with a late-night flick at Palace Cinemas Pentridge , which boasts 15 ciniemas and luxurious reclining chairs and a fully licensed menu (yes, you can take your drink in!).

Wake up feeling refreshed the next morning and take a stroll through the precinct and down to the picturesque Coburg Lake Reserve . This once bluestone quarry worked by prisoners from Pentridge Prison now features walking and bike paths and nature play all set in a beautiful heritage setting overlooking Coburg Lake.

Head back to Pentridge for brunch at The Boot Factory – where well-behaved prisoners worked making shoes and boots for the prison guards. It’s now a family-owned cosy café, featuring sustainable produce from local suppliers and brews the best coffee in Coburg.

If time permits, explore another division with a final Pentridge Prison Tour to fully immerse yourself in the history of this most significant site.

Start planning your visit

From historic and immersive tours, to sophisticated wine bars and neighbourhood dining experiences there is no shortage of things on offer at Pentridge, Melbourne’s newest dining and entertainment precinct. Whether is a family day out, a date night or a staycation, make sure a visit to Pentridge and a Pentridge Prison Tour is on your itinerary.

Want to experience more of Victoria’s most significant and historical places? Become a National Trust member today and unlock year-round easy and affordable adventures for the whole family. A National Trust Membership grants you access to a world of history, culture, and natural beauty, along with exclusive benefits like free entry to National Trust properties, events, and publications.  

160-year-old Lansing prison opening for tours this fall

LANSING, Kan. (KCTV) — The limestone facade of the old Lansing Correctional Facility looms imposingly. From Kansas City, the state prison is the first of three historic prisons , including the United States Federal Penitentiary (USP) in Leavenworth. Lansing, originally known as the Kansas State Penitentiary, is the oldest of them all.

Now, the Civil War-era state prison will be open for tours to the public, thanks to a partnership with the Missouri Department of Corrections and the Lansing Historical Society and Museum. The two signed on the dotted line this month, more than a year after the idea first formed.

It began when State Senator Jeff Pittman was sitting in the Budget Committee of the State Senate. A new prison had opened right behind the historic structure. They were discussing demolishing the old one at a price tag of $10 million. It was costing too much to maintain. Pittman suggested an alternative that he thought could cost less while also preserving it.

Also Read: Former Kansas state penitentiary in Lansing to be transformed into museum

“So I worked across the aisle, got some consensus, and stopped the demolition. And I said, give us a year, and we can find somebody we think that could take this over and really do a great job with it,” Pittman recounted.

They found their partner in the historical society, whose small museum sits at the end of the road leading into the prison.

“It took someone in his position to get this all going because anybody just walking in and saying to the warden, ‘Hey, we want to save this,’ that wasn’t a possibility,” said Debra Bates-Lamborn, the president of the Lansing Historical Society and Museum.

The state committed $500,000 to stabilize the roof and walls and get the project going but the hope is to eventually make it self-sustaining with admission covering the costs. Pittman and Bates-Lamborn saw a success story at the penitentiary museum in Jefferson City, Missouri.

“I looked at the numbers, and they bring in about a million dollars a year in revenue, just a little under that,” said Pittman. “I realized we can do that and more because our stories here have just a bit more impact, have a little bit more color, have a little bit more notoriety.”

WATCH: There’s an audience for prison tours. Hear why boosters for Lansing’s transformation say it will be a draw:

Some of the stories behind the walls that span more than a century are well-known. It housed the men who killed the Clutter family. Their murder was the subject of the Truman Capote book In Cold Blood, which was later turned into a movie. Johnny Cash performed there in 1970.

Other stories are less well-known. Back in the 1930s, their warden was kidnapped by a throng of inmates in an attempt to escape.

“He was kidnapped about two days before he was set to retire. I mean, that’s a heck of a way to go,” said Bates-Lamborn.

The warden survived. The inmates were eventually caught.

The kidnapping and escape is one of the stories that will be featured, but Pittman added that the story will also include the apprehension of the men. He said some of the experience will include a look into the life of the prison guards.

WATCH: Tours will include a focus on the life of prison guards:

That’s the serious side of the historical tours, but Pittman’s trip to Jefferson City also opened his eyes to another draw: paranormal tours. That’s coming soon too. They also plan to promote the site as a place for filming. The Discovery Channel is planning a visit for a 2-hour special at the Kansas State Penitentiary to air on Halloween.

The first big event public event is a car show inside the walls of the old prison, inside the courtyard. “Behind the Walls” car show is scheduled for Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They don’t have a firm date for the first tour but are selling raffle tickets this weekend for a chance to be in the first group of ten. They will be open Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for purchases. Raffle tickets are $25 each.

WATCH: State Senator Jeff Pittman discusses the possibility of paranormal tours at the old Kansas State Penitentiary:

Also read: armed robbery leads to police chase through kansas city, kcpd says.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.

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