Old Wentworth Gaol

The Old Wentworth Gaol is a heritage-listed 19th-century prison . Built between 1879 and 1881. It is notable as the first Australian-designed gaol of its style, preceding similar regional gaols built in Hay and Dubbo.

The small single storey brick Gaol with bluestone trim was designed by colonial architect James Barnett. bricks were made from the local clay (on-site), by Joseph Firth, and the bluestone was transported from Malmsbury, Victoria. The Gaol features thick security walls, square corner watchtowers, heavy boilerplate cell doors, a men's block with ten cells (including large "drunks' cells"), and a Gaoler's residence.

The Gaol replaced over-crowded lock-ups and was utilised until its closure in 1927. After its closure as a Gaol, the building was utilised as extra classrooms for the Wentworth Central School until 1963 and today, because of its remarkable condition, is a major tourist attraction.

A self guided tour of the Gaol allows you to inspect the inside of a historical land mark, designed to serve a vast region.The Wentworth Gaol now stands as a vivid reminder of those harsh and uncompromising days. The Gaoler's residence has an extensive range of souvenirs, giftware and a range of old wares.