Livinia Nixon rediscovers Melbourne's Pentridge Prison
For over 140 years Pentridge Prison was known for all the wrong reasons, housing some of the country's most notorious criminals including Ned Kelly.
Today it has been transformed into an urban hub and attracts an entirely different clientele, as Livinia Nixon found out on a recent visit.
Location:
Melbourne, Victoria
Cost:
The Interlude, Coburg www.theinterlude.com.au
Suites start from $375 per night
Pentridge Prison Tours www.pentridgeprisontours.com.au
Tours start at $35 for adults & $25 for kids
Prices correct at 15.03.25
Highlights:
Just out from Melbourne's CBD, in the suburb of Coburg, lies Pentridge, the largest prison complex ever built in Victoria. Established in 1851 and closed in 1997, over the years it has housed some of Australia's most infamous criminals. Today, the heritage listed prison has been transformed into a dining and entertainment precinct with shops, restaurants, cinemas and 2 accommodation options.
The Adina Apartment hotel is a modern multi-storey building set within the walls of Pentridge. The Interlude Urban Retreat has been cleverly built inside what was once known as B Division. Cells have been stylishly converted into 19 suites, which are warm, inviting and luxurious - a far cry from its original purpose! Livinia enjoyed a dip in the therapeutic subterranean swimming pool, strictly reserved for guests, it is the perfect place for reflection and relaxation.
Many parts of the prison have been preserved in their original state, and Livinia joined a National Trust tour to immerse herself in the prison's sombre past. The cells and yards of the high security H, or Hell division, as it was known, was for the hardest prisoners. Living conditions were rough, and for 8 hours a day they would break up rocks for no purpose at all. The food was definitely not appetising, with porridge and basic stews all part of the punishment.
These days the old prison mess hall has been restored and converted into a very swish destination restaurant, North&COMMON. Accessed from either the Adina or The Interlude, the hatted restaurant is focused on locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. There is also an on-site wine bar, Olivine. The intimate space has decadent booths, a walk in cellar with a world-class vintage selection and a tantalising grazing menu.
The prisoners at Pentridge no doubt spent hours plotting their escape, however Livinia was hatching a plan to linger a little longer!
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