Pentridge Prison

Pentridge Prison was established in 1850 in response to the rising crime rate from the Gold Rush in Victoria.

Today, Pentridge Prison has been redeveloped into plush apartments and parklands as well as a tourist attraction which offers tours of this important piece of Victorian criminal history.

Pentridge Prison, Coburg Apartments, History of Inmates & Ghost Tours

Pentridge Prison operated as a maximum security prison for men and also had a women’s division which operated until 1871. Pentridge is notable for being the last place in Australia to hang a prisoner. Ronald Ryan has become infamous for being hanged here in 1967 after being found guilty of killing a prison officer during a prison escape attempt.

Pentridge has housed some of Victoria’s worst and most notorious criminals including Ned Kelly (Bushranger), Peter Dupas (serial killer), Julian Knight (Hoddle Street massacre), Chopper Read (stand over man) and Victor Pierce (a member of the Pettingill family). You can learn more about the history of the prison and the suburb of Coburg by visiting the Bluestone Cottage Museum at 82 Bell Street, Coburg. Entry by gold coin donation.

Part of the prison was closed in 1997, and public tours commenced. In 1999, the prison was sold and had since been redeveloped into private housing and business premises. Today, visitors can take ghost tours and learn about the 44 bodies buried on site. Tours occur in the evenings and last around 2 hours.

Book your ghost tour online today and enjoy a fantastic tour of Pentridge Prison!