The Lock-Up
You will find The Lock-Up at 90 Hunter Street in the heart of the Newcastle CBD, making it very accessible. We walked from a carpark on Wharf Rd, but if you use public transport, the closest light rail stop is Newcastle Beach, making it only a five-minute walk away.
The Building
Built in 1861 as an addition to the adjacent Police Station, the Lock-Up is one of several important historical buildings in the area. Walking through the building with no exhibition on, gives you a feel for how austere the building was, because the rooms are small and dark. With strong wooden are metal doors the cells are very dark as there is little natural light.
Even the exercise yard is bleak because it is exposed to the weather. This would have made it hot in summer and cold in winter.
The Cell Doors 
The Old Gaol Cell in The Lock-Up 
Old Gaol Cell 
Fireplace in The Lock-Up 
In the Exercise Yard
Art Exhibition
The Lockup describe themselves as: “The Lock-Up’s innovatively curated program promotes current, experimental and diverse practices from local, national and international creatives.”
Before visiting, check to see if something different is on display, because Exhibitions are constantly renewed. When we visited contemporary display by Rosie Deacon was present, adding interest to the visit.
Art Exhibition 
Art Exhibition 
In the Exercise Yard 
In the Exercise Yard in The Lock-Up
Our photos are available for purchase on
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
I’ve not been as far up as Newcastle but this is the sort of place I’d usually visit on a day trip for the curiosity & history. I’d be curious to go here. I wasn’t expecting the art exhibits though, that’s quite novel within an old station & lock-up.
Caz
Yes, the art exhibits are novel, we’ve been twice, once when it had only a few exhibits, so could see the old building a little clearer, but the art is a great way to keep an old building relevant and visited.