Richmond the village in the valley

Richmond is Tasmania’s premier historic town. It dates from the mid 1800’s and offers a walk back in time as you cross the old convict built bridge, the oldest road bridge in Australia, then meander along the main street.

It is only 24 kilometres from Hobart. I must see this iconic village.

A bus tour will cost $30. That is expensive to travel 24 kilometres. So I make enquiries and find a local bus that runs 4 times a day and the return, concession fare is only $5-40.

Information board

Oldest bridge in Australia and still standing

The weather is perfect and this bridge is so photogenic. I think back to the time the convicts built it. I visualize the forced labour, the hard life of the convicts and wonder at the beauty and durability of this structure.

 I walk around taking photos from all angles. Here is a gallery of just some of the photos…

Feeding ducks on the Coal river

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This village is a delight to a lover of charming old style colonial buildings, a picture-perfect town that tells the story of an early Australian colonial village,  hand-made brick and mellow stone. With over 50 Georgian buildings all in well-preserved condition many of them now housing an array of interesting boutiques and art galleries,  artists and craftspeople have been drawn to the town for generations, and you’ll find examples of their work in galleries and cafes.

I find it very difficult to decide which of the many cafes and restaurants I will choose for lunch

Large Georgian mansion

Craft shop

Wood craft gallery

Fine Arts gallery

I chose “Ma Foosies” for lunch

Richmond Arms Hotel

Grocery store

Yummy coffee and cake

Cute cottage

Georgian style house

Bed and breakfast cottage

A great little art gallery of local art and crafts

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I find 3 old churches, my camera goes into overdrive.

St Johns Catholic Church is the oldest in Australia and it is in exceptionally good condition

St Johns catholic church, oldest catholic church in Australia

St Johns catholic church, oldest catholic church in Australia

St Johns catholic church, oldest catholic church in Australia

Richmond Congregational church

Richmond Congregational church

Richmond Congregational church

St Luke’s Anglican church

St Luke’s Anglican church

St Luke’s Anglican church

St Luke’s Anglican church

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Then I visit the old goal. A place of horror and hard labour.

It was built and used 5 years before the Port Arthur Penal Settlement opened  

 

Richmond goal

Exercise yard

The floor stones well worn by all the feet

The entrance to hell

Solitary confinement cell, no windows, not much bigger than a coffin

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There is one more attraction I must see. The Old Hobart Town Model Village, in Richmond, is a model replica of Hobart in 1820.

You can see how the sailors, officers, free settlers and convicts of colonial Hobart Town lived and learn about this fascinating chapter in Hobart’s and Tasmania’s early history.

Constructed from original plans and maps by owner-operators John and Andrew Quick, this authentic model village is made up of over 60 historic Hobart buildings and 400 period figurines.

I have spent 5 memorable hours wandering around exploring the village, looking at the galleries, admiring the churches, reliving the history, stories and horrors of life as a convict in the goal, and taking so many photos.

Richmond deserves its title of premier tourist attraction and I would recommend you put it on your “must see” list if you plan to come to Tasmania.