With kids taking a breather from school, it’s an opportune time to visit jail and learn about the history of what was once the main prison in Queensland.
Boggo Road Gaol on Annerley Road in Dutton Park offers tours that will give visitors a glimpse of the history of Australia’s most notorious prison, which was closed in July 1992.
After its closure, the Number 2 Division remnant of the Number 1 Division of Boggo Road Gaol was added to the Queensland Heritage Register for its significance in Queensland history and cultural heritage.
The state prison is deemed important in showing 19th-century penological principles and changes to prisoner accommodation. Boggo Road Gaol is also exemplary of Queensland institutional architecture that needs to be preserved for appreciation of future generations.
History Tour
The History of Boggo Road Gaol Tour is kid friendly and provides a peek into the daily life of inmates, officer’s duties, riots and roof-top protests. Visitors will hear of the dramatic escapes of “Slim” Halliday, dubbed the “Houdini of Boggo Road.”
The history tour happens daily at 11:00 a.m. and can be booked exclusively by any group of more than 10 people.
The 1-hour-and-15-minute long guided tour includes entry to Number 2 Division, visits to the gatehouse, yards and exploration of the F Wing cell block where the rooftop protest happened in 1988. Visitors will also see the original cells and graffiti.
Boggo Road Gaol also provides ghost tours every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. There is also a Prisoner Tour guided by a former prisoner, an Escapes Tour focusing on some of the dramatic escapes from Number 2 Division and an Officer Tour guided by a former officer of the prison.
Book any of the tours by contacting 0411 111 903 or by emailing grouptours@boggoroadgaol.com.
Find out more about the Boggo Road Gaol tours.
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