Smythesdale Lock Up

Stop in at the Smythesdale Historic Precinct and check out this striking bluestone lock up, built in the 1860s and part of Smythesdale's old police reserve.

The precinct features picnic tables, information signs and toilets, making this a great place to stop for a picnic and an educational stroll.

This lock up was built in the 1860s to replace a portable two cell lock up, and was in use until the mid 20th century.

The cells were used to hold prisoners who were being tried in the Smythesdale Court, as well as being used as a holding cell for prisoners being transported from the Western District. It was also used to house vagrants, the mentally impaired, and women and children awaiting transport to institutions.

This single story, three cell lock up was built to the designs of the Public Works Department of Victoria.

The building features a projecting gabled wing with an iron grill door, and barred windows beneath the eaves. The bluestone walls are in coursed rustication on plinth and arris' are featured on the edges and openings.

The roofs are gabled and clad with slate.

Here you can explore a collection of fantastic historical buildings and relics - including the gallows from the Ballarat Gaol!