Darlinghurst Gaol was an Australian prison located in Darlinghurst, New South Wales. Construction on Darlinghurst Gaol wall began in 1822, with completion of some of the cellblocks in 1840. The gaol was ready for occupation in a year later, with the first prisoners occupying the gaol on 7 June 1841.
The gaol was finally completed in 1885. The site is bordered by Victoria, Burton and Forbes streets, with entrances on Forbes and Burton Sts. The mai...
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Darlinghurst Gaol was an Australian prison located in Darlinghurst, New South Wales. Construction on Darlinghurst Gaol wall began in 1822, with completion of some of the cellblocks in 1840. The gaol was ready for occupation in a year later, with the first prisoners occupying the gaol on 7 June 1841.
The gaol was finally completed in 1885. The site is bordered by Victoria, Burton and Forbes streets, with entrances on Forbes and Burton Sts. The main material used for construction of the gaol is Sydney sandstone, cut into large blocks by convicts. Convict markings on the blocks are visible along the upper half of the wall on Darlinghurst Road. A tall circular chapel stands in the middle of the site, around which are sited the six rectangular cellblocks in a radial fashion.
Australian poet Henry Lawson spent time incarcerated here during some of the turbulent years of his life and described the gaol as Starvinghurst Gaol due to meagre rations given to the inmates. The site is now open to...
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