A history of adaptive reuse
In its 185 year history the Berrima Gaol has had an ever changing and adapting history with many past lives
In the 1830s the NSW Surveyor General, Major Mitchell, originally planned for Berrima to be the administrative centre for the County of Camden with courts and support services. The plan evolved, after significant delays, to instead make the area an accommodation facility for travellers.
Construction of the Berrima Gaol commenced in 1834 and was completed in 1839, the gaol opened that same year and since then it has been adapted and re-invented in different forms to suit the needs of the community, the region and the state of NSW at the time. The site started life as a gaol, housing convicts including infamous bushrangers & serial killers. After a period of closure the gaol was leased to a company as a freezing works facility from 1913 to 1915.
During WW1 the site was used as a German prisoner internment camp. Between wars the gaol was opened to the public for inspection as a place of historic interest. From 1944 to 1949 the dilapidated buildings inside the gaol were entirely demolished and rebuilt (by prison labour) into what we see today. Only the main entrance, outer perimeter walls and the original 1839 entrance gate were left standing from the 1940’s re-construction works.
In 1949 the gaol re-opened as The Berrima Training Centre, operating as a minimum security correctional centre up until 2001 when it was converted to the Berrima Correctional Centre. At every iteration of the gaols life extensive renovation, demolition and new construction works have occurred (including a fire in 1942 that destroyed most of the buildings inside the gaol). Of the original 1839 gaol (including the 1866 extension works) only the perimeter wall with its main entrance gate and the wall of the original 1839 entrance gate survive to this day. It is now time once again to reinvent the gaol for its next phase of life.
The Berrima Gaol has gone through many conversions in its lifetime, with each bringing about significant change to the built form structures within the site. The below timeline illustrates a brief summary of changes the gaol has seen in its 180+ year history.
History
Click or drag to explore
1839
Berrima Gaol is Completed & commences operation.
1862
Plan from the Colonial Architect’s Office, outlining the proposed improvements to Berrima Gaol.
1863-1866
New Construction Works
New works proposed & constructed during this period to convert the prison to the Separate Treatment System.
Gaoler’s Residence constructed (north-west corner of the gaol) and hospital (south-west corner) between 1863 & 1866.
1863
New Construction Works
Governor’s residence constructed inside the gaol (directly in front of the ‘central building’).
1866
New Construction Works
The gaol is extended eastwards with a new main front wall & new main entry gate house, as we see it today, constructed Berrima Gaol officially declared a ‘Model Prison’.
1875-1878
New Construction Works
Additional works planned for the gaol: proposed reconfiguration of the basement after conversion of the gaoler’s kitchen to bathrooms, and details of the new gaoler’s kitchen (top left), hospital verandah and watch tower (top right).
1875-1878
New Construction Works
Completed Guards Watch Tower & Catwalk to south wall.
1891-1892
Gaol extended & expands following purchase of additional land.
1897
New Construction Works
Governor’s Residence Constructed [re-located outside the gaol]
(photo taken during the gaol’s time as an internment camp, the governor’s residence served as the guard’s quarters).
1899
New Construction Works
New watch tower & deputy governor’s residence constructed.
1899
New Construction Works
Additional cells constructed.
1911
Berrima Gaol Closed.
1913
Gaol Re-purposed as a Rabbit Processing Facility
In February 1913, the gaol complex was leased for “carrying on freezing and treating works” (rabbit treatment factory).
1915-1919
Gaol Re-purposed to Internment Camp
By March 1915, 89 internees arrive at Berrima and walk on foot from Moss Vale train station to the subject site.
1916
Gaol as German Internment Camp.
1917
New Construction Works
Construction of theatre.
1919
Gaol Ceases use as Internment Camp
The gaol ceases as an internment camp in August 1919. December 1928, conversations begin regarding the proposition to demolish the former gaol. By September 1931 tenders are invited for a three-year lease of the building.
1920’s
Gaol as Tourist Attraction
The gaol is used for guided tours with tourists.
1931
New Construction Works & Re-purposing
January 1931 Government Architect, Edwin Evan Smith plan for the proposed conversion of the Governor’s Residence into a Police Station with two new cells at the rear.
1932
Gaol in Disrepair
Photograph showing closer inspection of the dilapidated buildings in the area of the former hospital, with the former school shed in the northwestern corner of the site, and the theatre built by the German internees at front.
1932
Gaol in Disrepair
Photograph showing closer inspection of the dilapidated buildings in the area of the former hospital, with the former school shed in the northwestern corner of the site, and the theatre built by the German internees at front.
1942
Fire Break Out at the Gaol
A fire destroys the internal buildings within the gaol walls and plans made to rebuild the gaol. It is notable that at this time, the gaol buildings were constructed to a new rectangular cellblock configuration, not to the panopticon form, however the original sandstone blocks were reused
1944
Demolition Works
View of the former gaol being deconstructed
1945-46
Re-constructing Berrima Gaol
Plans for the remodelling of Berrima Gaol, signed by Cobden Parkes, 1945, showing the 1866 entrance block incorporated into the design, and the retention of the 1839 entrance (piers either side of the 1839 entrance only retained) Works commenced by Feb 1946
1949
New Construction Works
Photo taken during construction to convert the gaol into a training centre
1949
Gaol Re-purposed as Berrima Training Centre
3 November 1949 the ‘Berrima Prison Camp’ was de-proclaimed, and the site re-proclaimed as the ‘Berrima Training Centre’ as listed under the Prisons Act 1899.162 By the 19 November 1949 Berrima Training Centre was officiated at the opening by the State Governor, John Northcott, in the presence of Premier J. McGirr and the Minister of Justice R. R. Downing.
The new centre facilitated male inmates to reform through their participation on the education and training programs offered at the site 
1949
Gaol Re-purposed as Berrima Training Centre
Opening Ceremony 19 Nov 1949
1949
Gaol Re-purposed as Berrima Training Centre
Opening Ceremony 19 Nov 1949
1980's
Various new works constructed inside the gaol. Tennis Court behind the gaol constructed at north-west corner
1990's
Various new works & renovations constructed at the gaol. ‘Industries’ building constructed at site of former tennis courts, including new entrance through the wall (entrance still exists today)
1994
New Construction Works
New building constructed at the north-east corner of the gaol
2001-2011
Re-purposing of the Gaol (Berrima Correctional Centre) The gaol is converted to the Berrima Correctional Centre & becomes a medium security women’s prison until 6 September 2011
2016
Re-purposing of the Gaol
August 2016, it was announced that the site would reopen as a minimum-security prison for males
2018
Re-purposing of the Gaol
The subject site was reclassified as a women’s prison due to a rise in female inmates across the state. Male inmates were moved into the wider state prison system by June
2020
Retirement of Berrima as a Gaol
April 2020, the subject site was retired, and divestment processes commenced by the NSW State Government
2022
Sale process commences
The Site is put to public tender for its sale to the public
2023
The Future
Sale process is completed, new owner of the site begins plans for the gaols future
