Old Dubbo Gaol

Item details


Name of item:	Old Dubbo Gaol
Other name/s:	Dubbo Jail, Dubbo Gaol
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Law Enforcement
Category:	Gaol/Lock-up
Location:	Lat: -32.2459195964 Long: 148.6024757690
Primary address:	90 Macquarie Street, Dubbo, NSW 2830
Parish:	Dubbo
County:	Lincoln
Local govt. area:	Dubbo Regional
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Dubbo
Hectares (approx):	1695

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	1	DP	40398
LOT	12	DP	40398
LOT	2	DP	40398
LOT	3	DP	40398
LOT	4	DP	40398
LOT	5	DP	40398
LOT	6	DP	40398
LOT	8	DP	40398
LOT	9	DP	40398

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
90 Macquarie Street	Dubbo	Dubbo Regional	Dubbo	Lincoln	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	Old Dubbo Gaol is of State, regional and local significance and is listed on the register of the National estate. The presence of the Gaol is a significant reminder of the unusual origins of the City of Dubbo as a regional centre for the judiciary before it became a location of commerce and habitation. Although no longer a working gaol, it served the area both as a Police and minor Gaol in the 95 years of operation as part of the facilities for the administration of justice across the region. It is a survivor of the 'Hay' type of Gaol typical of the New South Wales justice system. Most of these have now disappeared or are very much altered. It is associated with a James Barnet Court House within the precinct. Old Dubbo Gaol also has social significance as a major tourist attraction in the city and is also seen as an underutilised civic amenity. It is of social significance for the fact that it was saved from demolition by State government actions by a group of local citizens in 1974. The survival of the Gaol is due to their enthusiasm and energy. Its social significance is also extended to surviving inmates and their relatives and descendants, both of European and Aboriginal extract. The Old Dubbo Gaol has aesthetic significance as a group of well proportioned and well constructed buildings surrounded by grass lawns set within a brick walled compound. It is an oasis of peace and calm in the middle of a bustling modern city (nomination, 2002).
	Date significance updated: 24 Jul 03
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Colonial Architect's Office
Builder/Maker:	Varies, 1862-63 James Atkinson Jnr 1871 – William Moffatt 1874 – William Moffatt
Construction years:	1847-1945
Physical description:	The Old Dubbo Gaol is a small, compact gaol located within the CBD of Dubbo City. The enclosing wall is extensive and high. It is built of Dubbo red-brown bricks in English bond, with piers, laid in lime mortar. Above the north-eastern corner of the wall is a watchtower having a wide eaved roof of corrugated iron. Originally a catwalk extended from the watchtower. The structures inside the gaol wall include: Main male cell block Block with 12 ordinary cells; and specialised cells comprising: - two solitary confinement cells; - a padded cell; - a condemned cell; Female cell block Block comprising two cells, a bathroom and exercise yard; Infirmary and kitchen block, Block including a kitchen, infirmary, library, bathroom, two store rooms, two offices; Yards: two remand yards adjacent to a debtors exercise yard and an early toilet block, Laundry: Laundry building with toilets and fenced exercise yards, sanitary disposal facility, toilet. The buildings are mainly sandstone with hipped corrugated iron roofs, while the entrance, watchtower and women's cell block are of brick. The infirmary and kitchen and the male exercise yard feature simple wooden brackets to the verandah posts. The gallows have been re-erected. (nomination, 2002). Collection: The Gaol represents the largest collection of surviving hangman's ropes in Australia. These and other associated (collection) items are part of a newly curated exhibition (Dennis, 2020, 14).
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Physical condition of the buildings is good, however, rising damp is a problem in some areas. Fences are suffering from dry rot. The re-erected gallows are in poor, deteriorating condition. The first two public buildings in Dubbo - a police residence and court house/lockup were built in this precinct. There were two prisons and two court houses built within the precinct prior to the construction of the present buildings. Archaeological potential would be expected to be medium to high in a number of areas. (draft nomination, 2002). 2017 it was discovered that the Padded Cell had extensive termite damage and these items of significance needed repair. Subsequently, further investigation was completed and it was discovered the infestation was considerably widespread. All of the panels were removed from the walls and the cell and panels underwent termite treatment (grant application, 3/2019).
	Date condition updated:08 Dec 10
Modifications and dates:	1847-48 – first police residence and courthouse/lockup built 1862-63 – New court house and watch house built, designed by Colonial Architects office. 1869-70 – Additions to back of court house. 1871 – New stone watch house or lock up built – beginning of Dubbo Gaol. 1873-74 Additions – extension to cell block with 5 cells, fenced enclosure around the east end of cell block, 1877 – 1880 – major extensions – hospital and kitchen block, perimeter wall and two watchtowers, shelter sheds. 1886-87 - major alterations and additions including construction of residences (gaoler’s), re-located entrance, women’s cells & bathroom, new gateway/entrance 1895-1898 – extension of gaol wall, removal of one watchtower, new trial yard, shelter sheds, new office and guard room etc 1928-29 – extensive renovations and additions, including new gaolers residence 1934 – sewerage connected and modifications to bathrooms etc 1945 – two trial yards extended (draft nomination, 2002)


Current use:	Museum and tourist attraction
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot, gaol

History

Historical notes:

Old Dubbo Gaol has been in operation since 1847 (grant application, 3/2019).

The Gaol was erected on the site of the original courthouse. Believed to have been officially opened in 1887. Many of the buildings however were already in existence by this time. Many changes and new buildings followed. The surrounding wall also changed shape.

The gaol closed in 1966. The complex re-opened as a tourist attraction in 1974 (Dubbo LEP).

In 2015 Old Dubbo Jail won a silver prize in the cultural tourism category of the 12th Travel Inland Tourism Awards. The Gaol was inducted into the Tourism Hall of Fame (Dubbo Photo News, 30/7/2015). The Padded Cell (located in the Male Cell Division of the site) was used to house violent and mentally ill inmates (ibid, 2019).

In August 2016 the gaol will be closed to allow extensive restoration and renovation of the site (Star FM, Dubbo, 1/8/16).

In late 2017 it was discovered that the Padded Cell had extensive termite damage and these items of significance needed repair. It has been closed to visitors from the time of treatment in December 2017, as panels were too unsafe and unstable to return to the cell (ibid, 2019).

Today the complex attracts up to 50,000 visitors each year, a figure likely to increase as a result of $1.4m of major improvements funded by the state government and Dubbo Regional Council grants. The restored open-air, or external gallows are an exact replica of the original version, with elements that included some of the original parts. Those will be removed so they can be included in the new hangman's display, set to open to the public in mid-December 2020. A painstaking process of cataloguing and photographing every piece of graffiti at the jail has been undertaken before the restoration. In the cell block, a number of prisoner names have been revealed under decades of accumulated layers of paint,a s well as symbols such as love hearts and swastikas, drawings of native animals and even landmarks such as Sydney Harbour Bridge (Dennis, 2020, 14).

Eight men were hanged at the jail, with 24 others condemned to death, the last being William Alfred King in 1918, his rape sentence commuted to 10 years' penal servitude due to his 'mental condition'. Between 1820-39 there were an estimated 458 people executed in NSW, but from 1900-39 the number declined to two dozen. This was a result of factors such as a fall in the number of crimes listed as capital offences and changing attitudes to capital punishment. Old Dubbo Gaol's most notorious executioner was Robert 'Nosey Bob' Howard, who acquired his darkly ironic name after losing his proboscis from a horse kick while working as a hansom cab driver. The tragically confronting disfigurement led him to seek alternative employment in the less-than-sought-after role of executioner. He performed a number of the executions at Old Dubbo Gaol in the late 19th century, including one that went horrifically wrong and for which he was widely condemned (criticised)(Dennis, 2020, 15).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Cultural: Plains and plateaux supporting human activities-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Modification of terrain-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present.	Wiradjuri Nation - places of detention and confinement-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present.	All nations - places of battle or other early interactions between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Controlling ethnicity through detention and imprisonment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Developing discrete retail and commercial areas-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Tourist Industry-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Accommodating prisoners and internees-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Accommodating convicts-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Resuming private lands for public purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	Incarcerating prisoners-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	Policing and enforcing the law-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	Jail-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	Policing bushrangers-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Visiting heritage places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Tourism-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Developing and maintaining a local museum-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Rolf Boldrewood, author-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with James Barnet, Colonial (Government) Architect 1862-90-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Old Dubbo Gaol is one of many country gaols erected in the 19th century to cope with the burgeoning population as it spread west and opened up the interior of New South Wales. By 1900 there were many prisons and lockups across the state. As such then, Old Dubbo Gaol is not important in the course, or pattern of NSW's cultural or natural history. However, it is of EXCEPTIONAL significance locally. The buildings erected for the purpose of the administration of justice for Dubbo and the surrounding region were the first to appear in the new settlement. The Gaol therefore traces its lineage to the beginning of the city. Aboriginal association with the gaol, in terms of intercultural relations on the frontier of white settlement is EXCEPTIONALLY high. (draft nomination, 2002)
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	Dubbo Gaol was never more than a local and regional gaol. The staff, inmates and other visitors were similar to other gaols and judicial institutions of this type across the state. The Gaol has associations with some infamous criminals, in particular, Jackie Underwood who was hanged in the Gaol in 1901 for his part in the Breelong Incident near Gilgandra. The Gaol is also associated with the Dubbo Court House, a remarkable James Barnet Court House designed c.1887. While working as the Clerk of the Court in Dubbo, Rolf Boldrewood penned the Australian classic novel, Robbery under Arms. (draft nomination, 2002)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Old Dubbo Gaol sits within a high gaol wall in the main street of Dubbo. While the gaol itself does not have any extraordinary aesthetic appeal, the location and ambience of the buildings within the busy Dubbo CBD, provides an appealing oasis within the Dubbo CBD. Its close proximity to the aesthetically outstanding Dubbo Court House and gardens adds to this setting (draft nomination, 2002)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	Old Dubbo Gaol does not have strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in NSW (or the local; area) for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. It does however, have association with the "under-classes", in particular, rural poor, itinerant rural workers, hawkers and "swaggies". The Gaol did incarcerate a surprisingly large number of prisoners from culturally diverse backgrounds, particularly the Chinese. Of the eight men hanged in the Gaol, two were Aboriginal, two were Chinese and one was a Dane. (draft nomination, 2002)
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The history of the Gaol is now well researched and it is unlikely that any significant new material will emerge from the place. Archaeological excavations may reveal some interesting information or remains but nothing that could be gleaned from other sites. A very large number of Aboriginal people from the region were incarcerated in the Gaol during the process of dispossession, and future research may reveal some interesting episodes in the history of inter-cultural relations in a "frontier" location. (draft nomination, 2002)
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	Old Dubbo Gaol is uncommon in its completeness. It is possibly the most complete country gaol listed on the register of the National Estate for New South Wales. Most of the other country gaols have been removed, demolished, or altered so significantly that it is not easy to interpret their origins and functions. In this respect Old Dubbo Gaol has HIGH significance for the State and for the region beyond the Blue Mountains. The free standing , demountable scaffold, is probably unique in Australia and therefore HIGHLY significant to the study of capital punishment in Australia. (draft nomination, 2002)
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	Old Dubbo Gaol is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of NSW's cultural; or natural places in that it closely follows the "Hay" style of country gaol as identified by J.S Kerr. In this it is judged as being of HIGH significance. It would gain a higher rating if the Gaoler's Cottage was still standing. As both the early and the later cottages have been demolished the Gaol is not complete. However, in its current state of preservation it is a remarkably intact survivor of its type (draft nomination, 2002)
Integrity/Intactness:	Some features lost but reasonably authentic restoration overall. Built over a number of different periods always changing. More sympathetic signs suggested.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Review a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Carry out an Archaeological Assessment
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		01689	26 Mar 04	63	1721
Local Environmental Plan	Old Dubbo Gaol		08 Feb 91
National Trust of Australia register	Goal Group		09 Nov 81

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	anon		Old Dubbo Gaol, NSW Australia (leaflet with plan)
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Old Dubbo Gaol	View detail
Written	Daily Liberal (The)	2022	Gaol Plaza project reaches milestone with building's demolition	View detail
Written	Dennis, Anthony	2020	'Hanging around Dubbo? Spread the noose'
Written	Design 5 Architects	2003	Old Dubbo Gaol, Dubbo NSW, Conservation Management Plan (draft - in preparation)
Written	Graham Hall & Partners	2012	A Revised Conservation Management Plan for Old Dubbo Gaol.
Written	Horndage, Bill	1986	Old Dubbo Gaol, 7th revised edition
Written	Kass, Terry	2001	Thematic History of Dubbo
Written	Marlan, Zaarkacha	2021	Gaol History given life	View detail
Written	Perumal, Wrathall and Murphy Pty Ltd in association with Cameron McNamara.	1987	Dubbo Heritage Study : Specialist Reports Volume.
Tourism	Tourism NSW	2007	Old Dubbo Gaol	View detail

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5050315
File number:	10/22231 ; S90/02895

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of Heritage NSW or respective copyright owners.