Ghostly figures, unexplained noises, doors that slam shut by themselves – visitors are flocking to this infamous Adelaide site, and it’s not just for its amazing history.
The Adelaide Gaol is reputed to be one of Australia’s most haunted locations, with numerous reported sightings of former inmates and prison officers.
National Parks and Wildlife Service Visitor and Commercial Services Manager Gary Joyce has even had his own eerie experience one night when he was locking up the building where the prisoners’ mess hall used to be.
“I heard a metal plate drop on the floor and spin around,” he says. “It was absolutely clear as day, that sound that someone had dropped a plate. Made me turn around. It was quite, quite weird.”
Other staff members have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing unexplained noises and experiencing doors that slammed shut by themselves.
Some of the gaol’s most famous spectral residents include:
- Frederick Carr: A convicted murderer who maintains his innocence even in death, often seen near the New Building stairs.
- Governor William Baker Ashton: The gaol’s first governor, whose footsteps can supposedly be heard on stormy nights.
- Ben Ellis: The former hangman, whose spirit is said to roam the gaol, perhaps still haunted by his role in executions.
From forgotten fortress to frightful fun
The Adelaide Gaol, South Australia’s joint oldest public building, has seen a remarkable resurgence in recent years. Visitor numbers have skyrocketed by 320 per cent over the past decade, with more than 40,000 people exploring its haunted halls at Thebarton last year alone.
Gary attributes this surge to the gaol’s diverse new range of spooky experiences and exciting attractions that have made this historic site a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers and history buffs alike.
“The Adelaide Gaol used to be just a museum,” Gary says. “What the team and I have done in the last 10 years is to open the doors to more groups. We’ve developed our own educational programs that are mapped to the Australian Curriculum. We take kids from ages five through to 18.”
But that’s not all – Gary says there are now regular tours for adults as well, catering for both the true-crime buffs and the ghost hunters.
“It’s a strange place,” Gary says. “There’s two sides to it. During the daytime, the Adelaide Gaol is fantastic for children and families. It’s historic, it’s got blue skies, amazing stone walls, the lawn.
“But then nighttime comes along, and it’s got a completely different feeling. It goes silent, it gets chilly, gets dark and – especially when you’re locking up at night on your own – it can be a bit of a tester for you.”
A haunting history
Opened in 1841, the Adelaide Gaol played a crucial role in the state’s early days. “It’s the joint oldest government building in the state, along with Old Government House at Belair,” Gary says.
Remarkably, the gaol remained operational until 1988, housing prisoners well into the modern era. During its 147-year history, 45 people were executed within its walls, with the last hanging taking place in 1964. All of these executed prisoners are buried on the grounds, their graves a sombre reminder of the gaol’s dark past.
Among the executed was Elizabeth Woolcock, the only woman ever hanged in South Australia. Her story, marked by tragedy and controversy, continues to captivate visitors. A special audio tour allows visitors to learn more about her life and the circumstances surrounding her execution.
More than just ghosts
While the haunted aspects of the gaol are a big draw, Gary says that there’s much more to explore.
“We do it all now,” he says – and he’s not kidding.
If you want to take a self-guided tour, highlights include an interactive museum where you can try on handcuffs and leg irons and have a go at lockpicking; Cell 18, a unique art installation that brings the most infamous stories of Adelaide Gaol to life; and the Mugshot Exhibition, telling the tales behind the mugshots of nine convicted prisoners, many of whom were hanged onsite.
A 2007 archaeological dig site – now open to visitors – also reveals the Gaol was once the place where the earliest white settlement of Adelaide camped, as well as its traditional owners, the Kaurna people.
“We class it as where the two cultures first met, Europeans and Indigenous people,” Gary says. “In our eyes, it’s the birthplace of modern South Australia.”
The gaol – which is owned and run by the State Government, through the Department of Environment and Water – also offers:
- Ghost tours with paranormal investigation equipment for adults
- Escape room experiences for children and adults
- Historical tours for adults
- Educational programs for schools
- Holiday programs for kids
- Hosted birthday party experiences for kids
- Venue hire for events with up to 1500 participants.
For more information about the Adelaide Gaol click here.
