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Ultimate Guide to Richmond Tasmania

  • Richmond Bridge. Image Credit: @darrenwrightphotos

Discover Richmond Tasmania in the Coal River Valley

Nestled in the heart of Southern Tasmania, Richmond is a charming historic village that transports visitors back to the early 19th century. Famous for its beautifully preserved Georgian architecture, this picturesque town is home to Australia’s oldest bridge and Catholic church, both of which are iconic landmarks in the region. Richmond, Tasmania, offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for those exploring the area. Whether you’re wandering through the convict-built Richmond Gaol or enjoying the local gourmet food and wine, Richmond provides an unforgettable experience steeped in the rich heritage of Tasmania.

Coal River Valley Tourism Map

Get lost in the fascinating colonial history

Richmond was established in the early 1800s as an important military staging post and convict station between Hobart and Port Arthur.

You can learn more about the fate of convicts and other local characters at the old gaol.

Feel the hairs on your neck stand up as you explore the original gaol buildings, including eerie solitary confinement cells, with special sound effects adding to the atmosphere of isolation and despair.

History buffs, check out St John’s Catholic Church (1836), the oldest remaining Catholic church in the country.

Richmond Gaol
Roslyn 1823
Richmond Gaol. Image Credit: Alastair Bett
Richmond Gaol. Image Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Kathryn Leahy
Richmond Gaol. Image Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Kathryn Leahy
Richmond Gaol. Image Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Kathryn Leahy

Picnic by the iconic Richmond Bridge

The grassy banks of the Coal River are the perfect location for a lazy picnic.

Relax on the river’s edge with local produce, and stroll along the riverbank and enjoy watching the ducks (but please remember not to feed them). You may as well take a few snaps of the town’s most photographed landmark, the historic Richmond Bridge.

IMPORTANT: Help our native Ducks thrive by letting them find their own food – Please DO NOT feed the Ducks!

Discover more about our native Duck species on the Clarence City Council website.

Richmond Bridge. Image Credit: @wattlebanks
Richmond Bridge. Image Credit: @wattlebanks

Although the Richmond Bridge looks picture-perfect, spare a thought for the poor convicts who constructed it in the 1820s – the poor saps had to haul sandstone quarried from Butchers Hill using hand carts! Rumour has it the bridge might also be haunted.

In 1832, one George Grover—an employee of the Richmond Gaol whose duties included flogging the prisoners—fell asleep after a few too many drinks and was pushed off the edge of the bridge to his death!

The case remains unsolved to this very day, which seems like the kind of unfinished business that might keep a ghost chained to the very spot of its demise… Just sayin’.

Convict History
Ducks of Clarence

Explore the Georgian town and visit its unique shops

Richmond Village is famous for its elegant Georgian architecture and boasts more than 50 Georgian buildings, some dating back as early as the 1820s.

Many have been beautifully restored and reinvented as restaurants, cafes, tea houses, galleries, craft boutiques, antique shops, and accommodations.

Enjoy wandering the charming streets and meandering in and out of the shops.

Immerse yourself in the unique aromas of Tasmania’s ancient rainforests at The Sensory Tasmania. Rediscover your childhood favourites (and watch the kids’ eyes pop out of their heads) in the old-fashioned lolly shop (at least a giant gobstopper might keep them quiet for a little while?) 

Richmond Lolly Shop
Richmond Wine Wall. Image Credit: Alastair Bett
Bridge Street, Richmond. Image Credit: Alastair Bett
Bridge Street, Richmond. Image Credit: Alastair Bett
Bridge Street, Richmond. Image Credit: Alastair Bett
Bridge Street, Richmond. Image Credit: Alastair Bett
Peppercorn Gallery. Image Credit: Alastair Bett

Eat and drink your way through the Coal River Valley

There are some beautiful wineries and farms in the area, so stop in and sample the mouthwatering delights of the Coal River Valley!

Visit the restaurant at Frogmore Creek Winery to enjoy a divine meal inspired by fresh local produce and their acclaimed cool climate wines.

Become happily acquainted with Pooley Wines‘ long-living Rieslings and intensely flavoured Pinot Noirs at their Belmont Vineyard cellar door, a grand two-storey 1830s Georgian house.

Frogmore Creek Winery
Pooley Wines
Puddleduck Vineyard. Image Credit: Tourism Australia
Puddleduck Vineyard. Image Credit: Tourism Australia
Puddleduck Vineyard. Image Credit: Tourism Australia

Pop into Coal River Farm’s restaurant for breakfast or lunch, taste your way through the handmade cheeses and chocolates and walk the orchard picking seasonal fruits while taking in incredible views of the Coal River Valley.

Complete and utter bliss! This area is a paradise for lovers of fine food and wine – continue the tasting trail at: Barilla Bay Restaurant, Puddleduck Vineyard, Riversdale Estate, Domaine A / Stoney Vineyard, and Wobbly Boot Vineyard.

Coal River Farm
Puddleduck Vineyard
Sweets and Treats: The Richmond Lolly Shop. Image Credit: Alastair Bett
The Wicked Cheese Company. Image Credit: Alastair Bett
The Wicked Cheese Company. Image Credit: Alastair Bett
Coal Valley Vineyard. Image Credit: Alastair Bett
Coal Valley Vineyard. Image Credit: Alastair Bett

Richmond, Tasmania: Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! Richmond, Tasmania, is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone seeking a picturesque and peaceful escape. The town’s well-preserved Georgian architecture, historic landmarks, and local attractions make it a unique and enriching experience.

Richmond, Tasmania, was established in the early 1820s as an important military staging post and convict station. Its strategic location made it a vital hub for transportation and communication between Hobart and the East Coast. The town’s rich history is evident in its many well-preserved buildings, including the Richmond Gaol and the famous Richmond Bridge.

Richmond Bridge is located in the heart of Richmond, spanning the Coal River. The bridge is easily accessible from the town center and is one of the most photographed landmarks in Tasmania.

Richmond Bridge is famous for being the oldest stone span bridge in Australia, built by convict labor in 1823. Its historical significance and picturesque setting make it a major attraction for visitors to Richmond, Tasmania.

Visitors to Richmond can explore the Richmond Gaol, wander through St. John’s Church (the oldest Catholic church still in use in Australia), visit local wineries, browse art galleries, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Coal River Valley.

Richmond is located about 25 kilometers (approximately a 30-minute drive) northeast of Hobart, making it an easy and convenient day trip from Tasmania’s capital city.

Richmond is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is mild, and the town’s gardens are in full bloom.

As of the latest census, Richmond has a population of around 1,500 residents. This small but vibrant community is known for its welcoming atmosphere and strong connection to its historical roots.

Explore Richmond Tasmania: 

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We acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. As a destination that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors, Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands. We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.

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