As I prepared to leave for the primary focus of my holiday down undah, Tasmania, I spent one last full day running around Melbourne on foot and tram.  After visiting the port-side St. Kilda area again (I just couldn't keep away from that slightly scary big ole moonface entrance to Luna Park!), I trammed it up to the CBD (central business district) to be "admitted" to the Old Melbourne Gaol.

From it's opening in the mid-1800's until its closure in 1929, the gaol was the scene of about 135 hangings and countless more imprisonments.  The main 3-story hallway really takes you back in time:  dimly lit, with a skylight up above, steel gratings up the steps and along the sides of all three floors, cells approx 10' apart opposite each other.  Really neat.

I have to admit, though, that the best part was being taken into "custody" by Officer Friendly....nahhhh!!  Actually, a small group of us were given individual "rap" sheets so we could take on new identities of former prisoners.  My crime was aggravated sexual assault.....figyuhs!!