Pentridge Prison Tours (Coburg)
Pentridge Prison Tours provides an opportunity to venture behind the imposing bluestone walls of one of Australia's most infamous former prisons and explore stories of crime, punishment, prison life and the people who lived and worked there.
Pentridge was established as a penal stockade in 1850, with much of the vast prison complex constructed between 1858 and 1864. It became Victoria's central prison and housed many of the state's most notorious criminals before finally closing in 1997.
Today, guided tours operated by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) explore parts of the heritage-listed former prison, using guides, historic stories and immersive audio technology to bring the complex and confronting history of Pentridge to life.
H Division Tour:
Known to prisoners as "Hell Division", H Division was established in 1958 as a maximum-security unit and became one of the most notorious sections of Pentridge.
The 90-minute guided tour explores the cells and yards of H Division while revealing stories from its history and the harsh realities of prison life. Immersive audio technology includes accounts from former inmates and prison officers.
Family Tours:
Prison Break Explorers is an interactive tour designed for families and children of all ages. Families explore H Division and the wider Pentridge precinct while discovering stories of prison escapes and the history of the former prison.
Night Tours:
Night tours provide an atmospheric after-dark exploration of Pentridge. Experiences include the Night Watch Tour and H Division at Night, with stories of former inmates, prison officers, local legends and unexplained incidents.
Night tours are for visitors aged 16 years and over.
Features:
Features include:
- Guided tours of the former Pentridge Prison
- H Division, formerly known as Hell Division
- Historic prison cells and exercise yards
- Immersive audio technology
- Stories from former inmates and prison officers
- Family-friendly interactive tours
- Night tours
- Warders Building
- Historical displays and artefacts
- Books and souvenirs
- Group tours
- School education programs
Accessibility:
Pentridge Prison Tours has step-free access, wheelchair-accessible areas and accessible parking. Companion Cards are accepted. Visitors with specific access requirements should advise the bookings team when arranging their visit.
Location:
Located at 1 Champ Street, Coburg. Three hours of complimentary parking is available beneath Pentridge Shopping Centre. Pentridge can also be reached by tram, train and bus.
Opening Hours:
See Pentridge Prison Tours for current tour days, session times and availability.
Cost:
See Pentridge Prison Tours for current tour prices and bookings.
Location
1 Champ Street, Coburg 3058 View Map
✆ (03) 9656 9889
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ pentridgeprisontours.com.au
→ www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/pentridge-prison
