The Old Mount Gambier Gaol

Location: 25 Margaret Street, Mount Gambier, au

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Family rooms
• BBQ facilities
• Luggage storage
• Express check-in/check-out
• Fax/photocopying
• Soundproof rooms
• Table tennis
• Chapel/shrine
• Private check-in/check-out
• Shared lounge/TV area
• Board games/puzzles
• Shared kitchen
• Kids' outdoor play equipment
• Outdoor furniture
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Contactless check-in/check-out
• Invoice provided
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Smoke alarms
• Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
• Property cleaned by professional cleaning companies
• Process in place to check health of guests
• 24-hour security
• Express check-in
• Free wired internet
• Tennis lessons on site
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Internet access
• Private picnics
• Wine release events
• Reception hall
• Japanese garden
• Secured parking

Rooms Available

• Standard Family Room

  This cell experience is the jail's original kitchen and servery. It has 2 large windows that face onto the exercise yard, and still has the original slot that was used to serve prisoners their meals. Bed linen is included. The room has 3 sets of bunk beds and accommodates 6 guests. It is located in the right wing and adjoins the shared living, kitchen and bathroom facilities.

  Max Occupancy: 8 (8 Adults)

  • Heating
  • Shared toilet
  • Sofa
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Trash cans
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

• Family Room (6 Guests)

  This family room was originally one of the jail warden's offices. It is spacious with 6-yard high ceilings and a large arch window overlooking the jail's front gardens. This room sleeps 6 guests in single bunk beds, with all bed linen provided. It is located in the right wing, alongside a shared lounge, kitchen and bathroom. Please note that towels are not included in the price. You can rent them at the property or bring your own.

  Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)

  • Heating
  • Shared toilet
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Trash cans
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

• Family Room (4 Guests)

  This room was once used as a prison staff office. It has 20 foot high ceilings and a large arch window. The room sleeps up to 4 guests on 2 sets of single bunk beds. Bed linen is provided. The room is located in the right wing next to the shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Please note that towels are not included in the price. You can rent them at the property or bring your own.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Heating
  • Shared toilet
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Trash cans
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

• Twin Room with Bunk Beds

  This cell sleeps up to 2 guests on a single bunk bed. Bed linen and towels are provided. The cell is heated with an electric wall heater. The cell faces an open-air-conditioned courtyard.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Heating
  • Shared toilet
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Trash cans
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

• Standard Double Room

  This converted cell room includes electric blankets and wall heating. Bed linen and towels are included. The cell faces onto the open air chapel courtyard and is within 5-yards of the shared kitchen, lounge and bathroom facilities. This room now has four sets of bunks and accommodates eight guests.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Heating
  • Shared toilet
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Electric blankets
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

• Twin Room

  1 Twin Bunk Bed

  Soundproofed room

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Towels

  Practical - Yard

  Comfort - Heating

  Need to Know - No housekeeping, shared accommodations

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Heating
  • Yard
  • Free WiFi
  • Shared accommodation
  • Private or shared bathroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • No housekeeping

• Basic Room

  8 Twin Bunk Beds OR 1 Twin Bed

  Overlooking the courtyard

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Towels

  Practical - Yard

  Comfort - Heating

  Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 8 (8 Adults)

  • Heating
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Yard
  • Free WiFi
  • Private or shared bathroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • No housekeeping

• Double Room (Double Cell without Toilet)

  1 Double Bed

  Soundproofed room

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Free toiletries and towels

  Practical - Yard

  Comfort - Heating

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Heating
  • Yard
  • Free WiFi
  • Private or shared bathroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • No housekeeping

• Room

  4 Twin Bunk Beds

  Features a private patio

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Towels

  Practical - Yard

  Comfort - Heating

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 8 (8 Adults)

  • Heating
  • Yard
  • Free WiFi
  • Private or shared bathroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • No housekeeping

• Two-Bedroom Family Suite

  This family cell sleeps up to 4 guests and has 2 rooms, one with a double bed and the other with a single bunk bed. It has a private lounge, dining area, kitchenette with stove, bathroom containing both bath and shower and a separate toilet. All linen and towels are provided. The room opens onto a covered entertainment area.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Kitchenette
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Sofa
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Electric blankets
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Smoke alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Key access

• Double Room (Double Cell with Toilet)

  1 Double Bed

  Soundproofed room

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Toaster

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, free toiletries, and towels

  Practical - Yard

  Comfort - Heating

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Toaster
  • Yard
  • Free WiFi
  • Private or shared bathroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • No housekeeping

• Double Room with Internal Toilet

  This cell experience offers an internal toilet. The double cell is compact and faces onto the Matron's garden, with a quiet outdoor area behind it. It is located next to a set of shared showers and is in front of the shared lounge and kitchen. All bed linen and towels are provided.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Electric blankets
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

Guest Reviews

• Gilles (9/5): -
• saxena (10/5): - Outstanding experience. Excellence breakfast with so much variety and options with a great ambience around.
• Hot John (9/5): Enjoyable, different - I enjoyed being able to see the old gaol and where the inmates were housed. The heater in the living room needs repair.
• Medardus (10/5): Sehr zu empfehlen, einfach mal etwas ganz anderes. Nebenbei auch sehr gut gelegen. - Es ist einfach außergewöhnlich, mal in einer ehemaligen Gefängniszelle zu übernachten! Viel Platz in der Küche, und im Aufenthaltsraum! Sehr hilfsbereiter und freundlicher Pächter!
• Shi (7/5): -
• Alessandra (10/5): Unique accommodation in a prison cell - Such a special place to stay! Loved the unique accommodation. Like staying in a museum. Spotlessly clean and with fantastic, quirky facilities. Convenient location to
• Robert (8/5): - Most of the gaol was open to walk through at any time day of night with facts all around the place. There were plenty of amenitites and the anitial self check in was easy We saw no staff at all however they were available to contact via phone or sms at any time
• Charlotte (10/5): Intreeging stay full of history and the comforts of home - Such an interesting property to stay at. I enjoyed reading the historical information on the walls and admiring the beautiful mural painted by a prisoner at the time. The communal areas were lovely and even though there is a spooky element to the stay the accomodation felt welcoming and cozy. The main pointer I would say would be though it was cool to have the light show the bars at night it was a bit bright when trying to sleep with no way to really block the sensor lights.
• Jodie (9/5): Quirky and a great experience - All the information about its history and the novelty of staying in a Gaol cell Nothing, it was exactly as it was described.
• Marinela (10/5): Amazing stay! Would love to go there again. - This accommodation was a great full experience. We did not need to go out from this propriety. It had so much to offer in terms of history, spaces to search and look around to find more about the place. I thought that will feel weird to be sleeping in an old jail, but we were really relaxed. My two boys loved exploring the place and play with the two host’s cats. The amenities were basic but enough. Due to the way the place is locked by the front big jail door you not able to park close to your room, so you need few trips back and forth to your car with luggage.
• polavarapu (10/5): -
• Mao (10/5): Great experience! - James is very nice and helpful. He also provided us with extra information about the city. It was a very nice place to stay.😌 Nothing bad about the stay at all. I was just a bit nervous about staying in a gaol, but that’s just me. The place itself is very good.🙏
• Sandra Milena (10/5): -
• saxena (5/5): Gaol re live the experience literally, good for short stays with heavy sleepers. - The Gaol is beautifully conserved property keeping the gaol antics in place more like living in a museum. The location is pretty good right in the middle of everything you will need. Its quietly tucked in with sufficient parking. The beds are spring beds which are not so comfy add to it they were bunk beds so adds squeakiness and hence a lot of discomfort for the light sleepers. The walls are strong but the rooms not so sounds proof , there is moisture seeping in , there are pests that might wake u up. If you are a heavy sleeper and dont might these things might be fine too.
• Hilal (8/5): It was good - We had a really unique and enjoyable stay at this property. The location was amazing and offered a different experience from typical accommodations, which we truly appreciated. The kitchen was well-equipped with all the essentials, making it easy to prepare meals. The room also had a TV, and an attached bathroom with towels provided, which added to the comfort. Overall, everything was set up nicely, and we stayed at No. 27. That said, there were a couple of issues. The toilet flush was not working properly, so we had to use the outside toilet, even at night, which was inconvenient. Additionally, the Wi-Fi didn’t work well and seemed to have connection issues. Apart from these concerns, it was a pleasant stay and a memorable experience.
• Bagavathi Devi (10/5): - The unique experience of living in a jail which was so comfortable and full of life..😀
• Samantha (10/5): - Loved the atmosphere staying here, wandering around and reading up on the history and working of the jail. The rooms were functional and comfortable. The toilets, bathrooms and communal areas were clean and easily accessible.
• Bianca (9/5): - Great location, easy walk into town, clean and cosy rooms
• Christian (8/5): - Ich mag diese unpersönliche Art nicht, mit dem Gastgeber nur über Chats zu kommunizieren. Sonst war alles in Ordnung.
• Antony (8/5): A good opportunity to stay in an old gaol - definitely suited to back packers - It was good to experience staying in the gaol. The kitchen facilities weee really good & it was good to look round. There weren’t any staff when we arrived or left - this seemed a bit strange
• Susan (10/5): Loved our overnight stay here. Great accommodation. - Location was great. No traffic noise, very quiet. Had a great feel to the accommodation, very comfortable. There wasn’t anything we didn’t like.
• Tom (8/5): - Unique location staying overnight in a cell. The gaol is well preserved and effectively doubles as a museum (for guests only). Room was perfectly fine for our one night stay
• Korrin (8/5): -
• Christopher (8/5): -
• Ingrid (9/5): What a wonderful experience! It was quiet and calm and so easy to relax in. - We had a wonderful quiet room with ensuite toilet. It was comfortable and quiet and we had a fabulous night sleep. Enjoyed the garden spaces and chapel and shared kitchen. Nothing
• Eliška (9/5): Interesting stay and lots to learn about the place! Altough it is a stay in a jail, it was very warm and welcoming:) -
• kim (10/5): Great adventure. - History
• RRobb (7/5): -
• Patricia (10/5): If you don’t like ghosts dont stay here. I had two vista throughout the night. - Fantastic experience Nothing. Was perfect.
• Qing (8/5): 房间大，第一次住监狱，有点奇特的感觉 -
• Lucinda (9/5): A unique experience in a good looking and interesting building - Very unique hotel. A night in a gaol! The whole building was beautiful and very interesting. The room got quite hot and, because it was a cell, we couldn’t open a window. It was self check in but we did meet the owners on our way out.
• vamsi (8/5): Very good experience - Gaol style Wifi
• Helen (8/5): Loved to stay here and learn about the history of the gaol - We loved the quirkiness of the property. A unique stay!
• Ruth (9/5): - Very unique place to stay with amazing history. Excellent facilities. Thoughtfully converted from prison to accomadation. Nothing
• Kristen (9/5): So worth the sleepless night. A truly fun night. - Unique!!! Once in a lifetime experience. The ghosts scared me even thigh I never saw one. Didn’t sleep much 🤭
• Andrew (8/5): It is what you would expect from a Victorian gaol. Good fun -
• Peter (10/5): -
• Saurav (5/5): -
• Jennifer (8/5): -
• Nat (9/5): Would be very happy to stay again. Loved the character and history and we were warm and comfortable. - Room was warm and cosy and full of character! It was great to have an ensuite toilet with our cell. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Communal and kitchen facilities we used in old chapel were modern and comfortable. Great to have fresh coffee provided as well as tea bags! Showers were great. Some newer saucepans could be an improvement.
• JEAN (10/5): -
• Andrea (9/5): Ein interessantes Erlebnis in einem liebevoll restaurierten Gefängnis - Eine besondere Erfahrung . Interessante Erklärungen. Schöner gemeinschaftsraum Leider war kein Personal vor Ort.
• Giuseppe (9/5): - The fact it we stayed in a gaol
• Alana (7/5): We enjoyed our 2 night stay and would recommend it to family and friends for a different experience, especially for chil - It is an old jail and we did not expect fantastic facilities. Our cell did have an ensuite toilet. The shower block was clean and the water was instantly hot. We stayed there in the horrible high temperatures recently experienced but our cell was cool. There were ample kitchen facilities although we didn’t use them. We enjoyed our stay and met some other interesting travellers, including the managers who had lots of great stories. If you want Hilton facilities,then stay at the Hilton. I’m a bit claustrophobic so found our cell a bit small and stuffy, slept with the door ajar and the light on in the toilet.
• Lisa (9/5): Very individual stay - Very individual experience of staying in a gaol Perhaps a hook in the room or alternative to hang wet towels on
• Vickie (10/5): We had a great time staying at the Goal. - The experience of staying in a goal an having communal cooking and eating areas. Lights outside cells too bright at night and not turned off until late
• Jenkins (10/5): - Great atmosphere, amazing hosts with exceptional knowledge
• Marta (10/5): -
• Elena (4/5): It was only one night. - The location is quite acceptable, and it's certainly a unique place to stay if you're looking for a jail-like experience. The facilities were quite basic and outdated, but I understand that's part of the experience. However, the kitchen could be better equipped and arranged for guests as it was tight for over 2 guests. Our room, unfortunately, was located near the kitchen, which made it quite noisy. Additionally, the small window let in too much outside light, making it difficult for my partner to sleep. We also had trouble finding the light switches. The room was clean, but the patio furniture could use some attention.
• COSGROVE (10/5): - The experience
• Tristan (9/5): - Great experience. Clean bedrooms. Linen provided. Nice communal areas. Shower water really good and water hot. Overall really good experience. Quiet when sleeping. Thanks. Did not see any staff so could not rate them. Shower drain not so clean.
• Srinivas (7/5): - The Facilities were ok. Toilets are not clean.
• Claudia (9/5): -
• Bart (8/5): Good stay in Mount Gambier - Nice old jail. Good showers and kitchen Bedrooms are quiet small (since it were cells)
• Zi Yang (9/5): -
• Taseef (10/5): The unique prisoner experience - The sense of community and unique flavour of staying in a prison cell. The place was exceptionally clean with not a single fly anywhere! The mattress and utensils were a bit old and musty. Ventilation is through a slit on top of the cell door that needs you to get on top of a stool to open.
• Adrian (10/5): -
• Christine (7/5): - Interessantes Ambiente (ehemaliges Gefängnis, man schläft in einer Zelle) Zu wenig Platz für Koffer
• Marianne (9/5): - En opplevelse å overnatte i fengsel! Noe utenom det vanlige. Anbefales! Veldig hyggelig og serviceorientert familie som driver stedet!
• KENNY CHOU (9/5): -
• Ross (10/5): Loved the history and feel of the place. Lots of interesting information scattered around on boards throughout the gaol. - Everything ! We knew exactly what we were booking and that it is a unique experience and not a hotel or motel as some of the lower level reviews seem to miss the point of ! Met James just as we were leaving and he was more than happy to stand and talk to us. Please please please look what you are booking and adjust your standards to suit, it is what it is and we will certainly be back on a longer road trip next year, awesome place to stay and had the best nights sleep I’ve had on this entire road trip so far 10/10
• Jessica (10/5): Great choice for families and those looking for an interesting stay - Commitment to cleanliness and safety but also keeping the goal like reality!! We loved sleeping in cells and walking the grounds. Walking distance to many ammenities including the local pool and gym. Myself and my family, 5yo, 9yo, 12yo enjoyed the experience, the friendly hosts and friendly guests! However it is communal. If you are looking for something private this is probably not your jam. This is a prison after all.
• David (9/5): Different - Something different Probably everything shared
• OMKAR (10/5): It’s a good start for the price, and you also get to experience the heritage and live the Gaol life for a day. -
• Brent (9/5): Great overall. Recommended - Great concept, location, value, showers are great! No toaster in kitchen Men’s toilet was left very dirty for two days - I used the women’s one.
• Joanne (9/5): Loved this place, unique, interesting and great location - Quirky place to stay, very unique, information on history Nothing
• Julia (7/5): Würde ich weiterempfehlen, is eine außergewöhnliche Erfahrung - Flair bleibt erhalten und macht es zu einer außergewöhnlichen Unterkunft Sehr minimalistische Einrichtung
• Ian (10/5): Loved it and will be back. - Very cool and unique. Owners were really nice people. Nothing
• Anna Suckling (10/5): - Absolutely amazing place. Such a great experience, fantastic historic location with a real feel for the life of a prisoner!!
• wench (10/5): Cell 27 - The atmosphere was great, particularly loved the information posted at various places throughout the Gaol. Too many lights at night, spoilt the thrill of exploring.
• Karan (8/5): - Unusual and interesting accommodation option. Room was small but you expect that in a cell
• Jennifer (9/5): Unique and fantastic place to stay! - Everything! The history displayed around the building was very informative. Accomodation had everything you needed, shower pressure was incredible! All round a very unique experience Nothing!
• A-n-j-a (9/5): Good for short stay - Great hotel for a short stay! No door which separates the toilet and the beds. Keep in mind when booking.
• Robert (9/5): - Very unusual and different. It was a great place to stay after our regular diet of motel rooms
• Maryellen (10/5): Fun and quirky - It was something different to a normal motel. Learning about the history of the gaol was really interesting.
• Leah (9/5): -
• Leanne (7/5): Was something different - Unique experience
• Rosemary (10/5): - We love staying here.. unique location, close to everything.
• Janet (10/5): -
• Rosemary (10/5): - Amazing atmosphere in a unique yet historical location
• Lana (7/5): -
• Adile (10/5): -
• Gayle (9/5): -
• Leonie (6/5): Interesting stay for the experience - Stayed here purely for the experience and to tick it off the list. I can see that it's not everyone's cup of tea - I personally wouldn't stay here again but I'm glad I did it for the experience! The host was very welcoming, and it was cool to learn more about the history of the gaol.
• Kirsten (8/5): - Loved the surroundings. Knowing it was an old gaol makes it difficult to rate as my expectations were met but not to the standard of your rating system. I wouldn't preferred to have met the host. We did correspond via text but it would've been nice to have met them or a representative. I didn't like that the shower room was not lockable. It felt awkward having a shower (individual lockable cubicle) with other guests that we never saw. Only their feet. I would've felt better if I could lock the door and shower in privacy.
• DAGMAR (10/5): -
• Gabriela (7/5): -
• John and Rachel (5/5): Unique stay, with just a small amount of effort could be really nice. - Interesting building, unique experience. Interesting facts on the walls throughout. It was dirty. It is in need of a drop clean. There were layers of filth of the photographs and the blankets in the rooms were stained.
• Cook (8/5): Great experience and use of an historical building - The entrance was fantastic and the rooms had that bare feel, with real bars on the windows The couches and facilities were a little dated.
• Angela (9/5): A cool place to stay… - A quirky stay. Beautifully restored for accommodation. Interesting history throughout. Hosts were wonderfully welcoming and helpful. Bed could be more comfortable but fine for one night.
• Meredith (8/5): - Interesting accommodation, very historical. Kitchen needs a little update, the fridge didn't work and we had to buy tea and milk.
• Evan (8/5): The living experience is extremely unique, and it is definitely worth taking a chance on. -
• Tom (7/5): Interesting experience.. -
• Ken (8/5): -
• Jo (10/5): Fantastic experience worth trying - Was a fantastic experience staying in Cell, glad we selected with Toilet, shower block was next to our cell so easy access to use. Loved the place and totally recommend this as something different to do. Nothing
• Andrew (10/5): -
• Yuhan (8/5): - Unique experience
• Catherine (7/5): Amazing character in a historical setting that hosts are passionate about and are very welcoming. Hit with universal har - Historical and full of character. The best showers ever and the best communication. The best facilities and Poor lighting at night. Needed to use a torch. And poor heating in communal areas of an evening.
• Allison (10/5): An amazing place to stay if you’re looking for something different. - Very different to any property I have stayed in before. James the owner was extremely helpful. The history of the building is interesting. Very basic but that adds to the experience. There is a chapel which has a living room with a fully functioning kitchen, which has all you need to cook a delicious meal or to sit and relax with cup of tea. An amazing place to stay if you would like to stay somewhere different from the ordinary.
• Karen (8/5): - This was on my bucket list, staying in a gaol. It was very clean, basic facilities though but ideal for the young (at heart!) and ideal for backpackers. Quite an experience late at night! A little expensive for very basic facilities

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