Adelaide Gaol - AGPS

17/07/2025

🥣 Winter in the Walls – Cold on the Inside, Cold on the Plate
(c. 1869–1875)

When the temperature dropped at Adelaide Gaol, so did prisoner morale — especially at mealtimes.

Food in the 1800s was basic, bland, and unheated: dry bread, thin porridge, weak tea, and sometimes gruel — a watery mix of oats or wheat boiled in water. It was cheap to produce and easy to serve in bulk… but as one inmate described it, “warmish sludge.” And in winter? Often stone cold before it even reached the cell.

There was no dining hall. Prisoners ate every meal alone, in their cells.
Meals were delivered by warders, passed through small hatches in basic tin bowls — no cutlery, no comfort.

A warder’s log from 1870 noted, “breakfast was served near-frozen.”
Another prisoner recalled his porridge being “hard as a brick.”

Without heating, adequate clothing, or enough calories, winter at the Gaol was more than uncomfortable — it was dangerous. Illness spread easily, and survival wasn’t guaranteed.

Photo courtesy State Library, South Australia

10/07/2025

Winter in the Walls – Cold Stone and Colder Nights

Imagine sleeping on a hard wooden bed with a single thin blanket, in a stone cell with no insulation. That was winter at Adelaide Gaol.

Inmates were issued basic woollen clothing and shoes — but after years inside, many garments wore thin. Fires weren’t allowed, and lighting was minimal. Once the doors were locked at night, prisoners were truly alone — with only the cold and silence for company.

There was no heating. Cells turned damp and icy, and prisoners often complained of freezing temperatures. In some winters, ice formed on the stone walls. A single bucket for washing was all they had — and the water? Often icy, or completely frozen.

Cold-related illnesses like rheumatism, pneumonia, and bronchitis were common, especially among older prisoners.

Winter wasn’t just cold — it was punishment.

26/06/2025

A Grim Chapter in South Australian History

Tucked within the walls of Adelaide Gaol stood a chilling structure—the portable gallows. Used for 13 ex*****ons between 1861 and 1883, this six-metre scaffold was assembled for each hanging and dismantled afterward.

Among those who met their fate here was Elizabeth Woolcock, the only woman ever executed in South Australia.

The very first hangings on this gallows were of four Aboriginal men convicted in the Rainbird Murders—Mary Ann Rainbird and her two young children in Kapunda.

The trial lasted just one day.
19 witnesses were called, but much of the testimony was conflicting. Aboriginal people had little to no ability to defend themselves fairly in colonial courts at the time.

Today, a replica gallows stands quietly near its original location, a sad reminder of the justice system of the time.

24/06/2025

If you’ve ever been on a tour or joined one of our events, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Penny. As President of the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society, she’s been volunteering her time and energy for over 20 years – and her passion is contagious.

Penny is one of many incredible volunteers who help keep the spirit of the Gaol alive. A heartfelt thank you to all our dedicated volunteers – we truly couldn’t do it without you. ❤

https://adelaidegaol.org.au/booking/

19/06/2025

Whispers from the Walls – Elizabeth Woolcock’s Haunting Legacy

On the night before her ex*****on, Elizabeth Woolcock wrote a letter that has become one of the most talked-about pieces of Adelaide Gaol history.

It begins with an apology and ends in sorrow, faith, and a sense of resignation. Many have debated its meaning — was it a confession of guilt, or a spiritual release shaped by the language of her time?

"I die believing in God and hoping to be forgiven for all my sins... I have made my peace with God, and I hope all the world will forgive me."

She asked to be remembered not as a monster, but as a woman who had suffered, and who now hoped to rest in peace.

Elizabeth was 18 years old when she married. Seven years later, at 25, she was executed on 30 December 1873 at Adelaide Gaol. Her body remains buried on-site.

To this day, her letter is read during some ghost tours — and it still brings a hush to the room.
Her story remains one of the most powerful legacies within these walls.

🎟️ Book your visit: adelaidegaol.org.au

*This photo shows Elizabeth Woolcock’s burial site at Adelaide Gaol — marked only with her initials, the date of her ex*****on, and a single red rose. Nearly 150 years later, flowers are still placed here in remembrance.

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17/06/2025

🌒Paranormal Investigation tour - Friday the 20th June

Most ghost tours wrap up before midnight — but this is when the real chills begin.
Our Adelaide Gaol Paranormal Investigation runs from 9:30 PM to 2:00 AM… the scariest hours inside one of Adelaide’s most haunted buildings.

🔦 You’ll enter the gaol when the world outside goes quiet — and the energy inside comes alive.

Armed with real paranormal equipment and guided by experienced investigators, you’ll explore the darkest corners of the old women’s wing, the gallows, and cells that still carry the weight of those who once lived… and died… here.

Feel the temperature drop. Hear the unexplained

🎟️ Limited spots available | 4-Hour Experience | $65
📍 Adelaide Gaol | 9:30 PM – 2:00 AM
🔗 Book now: https://adelaidegaol.org.au/paranormal-investigation/

12/06/2025

Whispers from the Walls

Elizabeth Woolcock: A Life Marked by Suffering

In 1873, 25-year-old Elizabeth Woolcock became the first and only woman executed in South Australia. Her death took place inside Adelaide Gaol.

Before her trial and conviction, Elizabeth lived a life shaped by hardship. Orphaned as a child, she entered domestic service and later married Thomas Woolcock at just 18. Reports from the time describe Thomas as controlling and physically abusive — a reality Elizabeth endured for years with no legal protection or recourse.
When Thomas fell ill and died, suspicion turned toward Elizabeth. She had administered mercury — a common treatment at the time — but the court alleged it had been used with intent to kill.

Elizabeth was arrested and charged with murder.

Her trial would last less than a single day. The jury found her guilty in under 30 minutes. Because of her age, they recommended mercy — but this was ignored.

She was sentenced to death by hanging.

🔎 To be continued…
🎟️ Learn more or book a tour: adelaidegaol.org.au

10/06/2025

The ghosts don’t care what day it is… 👀

It’s not Friday the 13th — it’s Thursday the 12th — but the chills are just as real at Adelaide Gaol.

Looking for something different this week?

Join us on Thursday 12 June for a night steeped in an eerie atmosphere and stories that linger.

For over 25 years, we’ve been collecting real accounts of hangings, burials, and strange encounters from volunteers, staff, and visitors. On this two-hour guided tour, you’ll step into the stories… and maybe feel something step back.

💀 True crime meets the paranormal
🕯️ History, hauntings, and the unexplained
🎙️ Told in the stillness of night behind stone walls that never forget
It’s eerie. It’s fascinating. You might want to leave a light on when you get home.

⚠️ Adults only recommended. Under 16s may attend with an accompanying adult (full ticket required).
⏰ Tour begins at 7:30 PM, runs approx. 2 hours
👥 Max 20 guests
📍 Book now for Thursday 12 June:

https://adelaidegaol.org.au/adelaide-gaol-ghost-tour/

30/05/2025

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞!

To every guest who has explored Adelaide Gaol with the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society:

Thank you! Your support has been instrumental in restoring and maintaining this historic landmark. Your tours have helped us uncover new artifacts and preserve the Gaol's legacy for future generations.

𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮!

Please leave a review on our Google Business Profile (SCAN to leave a Review)

Your feedback encourages others to experience the chills and thrills of Adelaide Gaol and helps us continue our mission.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮!

28/05/2025

Thank you for your fantastic review, Jason! We're so glad you found Adelaide Gaol a great place to visit and that you appreciated both the history of the prisoners' conditions and the beautiful architecture of the cell blocks.

It's truly a powerful experience to walk through these historic spaces and get a real sense of what life was like within these walls. We're proud to preserve this important part of South Australia's heritage.

Ready to step back in time and explore this fascinating history for yourself? Book your tour with the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society today and discover the stories etched into every stone!

See you!

26/05/2025

June Tour Schedule with the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society

Ready to step back in time and uncover the chilling secrets of Adelaide Gaol? Check out our tours this June!

When you book a tour with the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society, you're not just experiencing history – you're helping preserve it! All profits from our tours go directly towards restoring and maintaining this iconic landmark, and sourcing new and exciting artifacts for everyone to enjoy.

Don't miss out on your chance to be a part of history. Book your Adelaide Gaol tour exclusively through our website today!

23/05/2025

ARE YOU AVAILABLE on May 31st? 👻

Don't miss out on a thrilling night of ghost hunting at Adelaide Gaol! We have several spots left for our Paranormal Investigation next week.

This is your chance to delve into the unknown and experience the chilling paranormal activity that has captivated visitors for generations.

Here's what you can expect:

👻 Exclusive access to the Gaol after dark.
👻 Expert guidance from our experienced paranormal investigators.
👻 Use of real ghost-hunting equipment to capture evidence of the supernatural.
👻 Unforgettable encounters with the restless spirits of Adelaide Gaol.

Are you brave enough to join us?

BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW!

Join a paranormal investigation at Adelaide Gaol. Uncover the secrets of this haunted location, document eerie phenomena and face the unknown if you dare.