Definitely one of the things to do in Adelaide...
Visit the Adelaide Gaol, a major part of Adelaide's heritage.
As one of the two oldest public buildings in Adelaide, the Gaol has
much to offer in the way of education, history and entertainment.
You can learn about Adelaide's penal history and its architecture
from the time of the early settlers right through to today.
Wander around the Gaol at your leisure or book a place on one of
our guided History Tours, maybe you would prefer a night time
Ghost Tour or even participate in a Paranormal Workshop.
All tours are run by the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc.
which is a not for profit organisation and is run entirely by volunteers.
The Society conducts the original and authentic Gaol Tours and is
not affiliated with any privately run Gaol tour operators.
Individuals, families and groups are all welcome and there is plenty
of free parking.
Coming Events at the Gaol
History Tours
Join a Guided History Tour (fee applies) of the Adelaide Gaol on any
Sunday at 11.00am, 12.00noon or 1.00pm
Private groups of 12 or more people can be booked at a time to suit
you. Contact the Gaol on 08 8231 4062 during normal business hours
on Monday to Friday for details.
The Adelaide Gaol was built in 1841 and along with Government House
is one of the two oldest public buildings in Adelaide.
Ghost Tours
Public ghost tours are held on every Thursday, Friday and Saturday
night.
Bookings are essential (Phone 08 8231 4062)
Private groups of 12 to 20 people can be scheduled to suit your needs
Did you know that the Gaol is reputed to be one of the most haunted
sites in South Australia? Come and hear the ghostly stories and paranormal
activities associated with the Gaol and it's ghostly residents.
Twilight Tours.
The Adelaide Gaol will be running a special Twilight Tour on Sunday
the 10th June 2012. The tour will start at 5:30pm and run for
approximately 1.5 hours.
Our Twilight Tours are spooky and mysterious yet fun for the whole
family.
These tours are designed especially for under 15 year olds and will
include information about the Gaol's fascinating past as well as some
interesting stories about the ghosts and spirits who still wander
the Gaol's grounds and buildings.
Admission is $17.00 for adults and $11.00 for children. Family passes
are available for $50.00 (Family passes include 2 adults and 2 children).
Please phone the Gaol during office hours on 08 8231 4062 as bookings
are essential.
Paranormal Workshops.
Have you ever wanted to explore the paranormal?
Do you want to investigate the Adelaide Gaol's ghosts?
Jeff Fausch, in conjunction with the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society
Inc., gives you the opportunity to participate in a fascinating paranormal
workshop.
Jeff Fausch is also the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society's official
paranormal researcher. Jeff has many years experience in the field
of the paranormal. He was the co-founder of Paranormal Field Invetigators
and in 2002 initiated the original Paranormal Workshops at the Adelaide
Gaol.
These workshops are conducted in a safe and scientific manner, with
constant supervision, they give you the chance to find out about the
paranormal in one of Adelaide's most haunted sites, the Adelaide Gaol!
Learn to use our equipment, watch some video footage and photos of
paranormal activity at the Gaol and have the opportunity to do your
own investigation.
The Paranormal Workshops for 2012 will be held on 5 May 2012,
11 August and 3 November. Our Workshops run from 6:00pm to 2:00am
the next morning.
Download
your free Paranormal Investigation Information Kit here.
These workshops are always very popular and fill very quickly. Please
register your interest now as we will have limited places available
for the next workshop. Cost is $120.00 per person which includes supper
and refreshments.
Please call the Gaol on 08 8231 4062 during normal business hours
to book a place on one of our coming Workshops.
Virtual Tour
Prepare yourself for an exciting experience! Take a virtual
tour of the Adelaide Gaol.
Do you have what it takes to:
- Experience life behind bars!
- Become a prisoner and see life from the "inside".
- Serve your time and lose your freedom!
View some areas of the
Adelaide Gaol and prepare yourself for the real thing then, when
you are ready, come and experience the Adelaide Gaol in person by
doing a "real time" tour.
A glimpse into the past...
Yerr-I-Cha and Wang Nucha (by Trevor Peart)
Executed 31 May 1839
From the few surviving records relating to the crimes of Wang Nucha,
alias
Tommy Roundhead, and Yerr-I-Cha, alias George, we know that Wang
Nucha, about 19, was one of three men charged with the murder of James
Thompson, a shepherd for John Hallett, in April 1839.
Yerr-I-Cha, about 40, was also one of three charged with the 21st
April 1893
murder of William Duffell, a shepherd for Osmond Gilles.
Of those charged only Yerr-I-Cha and Wang Nucha were found guilty
and
sentenced to death. They were hanged 31 May 1839.
The following is a report of the execution which appeared in ‘The
Register’ on
1 June 1839.
Yesterday morning being the time appointed for the execution of Yerr-I-Cha
who was condemned in the Supreme Court last week for the murder of
William Duffell, and Wang Nucha who was condemned for the murder of
James Thompson.
At an early hour in the morning preparations were being made for the
execution. A scaffold had been erected in front of the stores on the
Park Land,
North Adelaide, to which, at eight o clock, the criminals were conducted
in a
cart, guarded by a strong body of police. James Cronk, the interpreter
walked
alongside the cart, to whom Wang Nucha kept talking most of the way
from
jail [sic] to the place of execution.
By the time they arrived at the scaffold a considerable number of
people had
assembled round it.
After the warrant for their execution had been read by the Sheriff,
the
unfortunate men were led, or rather dragged, upon the scaffold, and
placed,
by the executioner, on the fatal drop. They then seemed quite aware
of the
fate which was overhanging them. Their countenances, especially that
of
Yerr-I-Cha, betrayed every symptom of terror exhibiting none of that
stern
determination which despises to show a fear of death a characteristic
of the
natives of some countries but on the contrary evincing every symptom
of
apprehension and dread of dying.
Yerr-I-Cha s limbs quivering and his whole frame was agitated; while
Wang
Nucha, though showing fewer symptoms of trepidation, made violent
protestations in his own language, as we understood him, against being
hanged.
On the signal being given by the Sheriff, the drop fell, and, after
a few
struggles, the unfortunate criminals ceased to live. After hanging
the usual
time the bodies were cut down, and afterwards interred within the
jail in
accordance with the sentence.
By nine o clock the persons who had assembled to witness the execution
had
dispersed, and in a short time every thing was again as quiet as usual.
One circumstance connected with this execution we must not neglect
to
notice. It seemed quite evident, from the remarks and conversation
of the
other natives, many of whom witnessed the execution, that they were
aware
of the cause of the death of the criminals; and most of them seemed
to agree
in the justness of the sentence; and we have no doubt but the example
thus
shown them will act as a terror to them, and will be a means of deterring
them
in future from interfering in any way with the property or lives of
the settlers.
On passing the native huts immediately after the execution we found
the
women and children and many of the men lamenting, in a most piteous
manner, and with their sable faces bathed in tears, the death of the
men; thus
showing the sympathy existing among them in their native state, not
only
among the members of a family, but between all the members of a tribe.
oooOOooo
Become a Volunteer
Would you like to become a volunteer at the Adelaide Gaol
and share its history?
We currently need volunteers to assist in organising and maintaining
the many Gaol activities. 'On the job' training will be provided.
We especially require day and night time tour guides, cleaners, handymen
and shop assistants. In fact, all skills would be greatly appreciated.
People who are interested in one of South Australia's oldest heritage
sites and are available for a few hours each week should contact
the President of the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc.
The Adelaide
Gaol Volunteer Application Form can be downloaded and completed
prior to your meeting with the President and the Gaol Manager.
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