Richmond

Richmond is a perfectly preserved Georgian village just 25 minutes from Hobart, where Tasmania’s colonial past feels almost tangible. With Australia’s oldest bridge, a convict-built sandstone gem, and a village green that could be a movie set, Richmond offers a delightful half-day escape into history, artisan food, and slow-paced charm.

Highlights & What to See

• Richmond Bridge – Built by convicts in 1825, this graceful stone arch bridge is Australia’s oldest surviving bridge. Walk across it and pause on the grassy banks for a classic photo of the village skyline.
• Richmond Gaol – Step inside one of Australia’s best-preserved convict prisons, with original cells, exercise yards, and haunting stories of early colonial life.
• St John’s Catholic Church – Australia’s oldest Catholic church (1836), with a simple sandstone facade and a peaceful cemetery that tells Richmond’s early history.
• Old Hobart Town Model Village – A miniature re-creation of Hobart as it was in the 1820s, complete with tiny buildings and ships – a quirky, family-friendly stop.
• Artisan food and wine – Richmond is a haven for foodies: try honey mead at the Richmond Hill Honey Farm, sample local cheeses, or indulge in scallop pies and fudge from village bakeries.
• Wineries and lavender – The surrounding Coal River Valley is dotted with cellar doors and lavender farms, perfect for a lazy afternoon tasting cool-climate wines.

Suggested Time to Spend

Richmond can be comfortably explored in two to three hours – enough to visit the bridge, gaol, and one or two other sights, plus grab a coffee and browse the shops. Many travellers combine it with a half-day wine tour of the Coal River Valley or a visit to nearby Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. For a relaxed pace, allow a full half-day and linger over lunch at one of the historic pubs.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Hobart – Just 25 minutes away, Tasmania’s capital offers Salamanca Market, MONA, and Mount Wellington views.
• Coal River Valley – A string of boutique wineries and lavender farms right on Richmond’s doorstep, ideal for a self-drive tasting tour.
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary – See Tasmanian devils, wombats, and kangaroos up close; a 15-minute drive from Richmond.
• Port Arthur – The historic penal settlement is about an hour’s drive southeast, easily done as a day trip from Richmond.
• Huon Valley – Further south, this lush region is famous for apple orchards, cider, and the Tahune AirWalk.

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