Richmond Village
Richmond, Tasmania
Less than 30 minutes from Hobart, amid the lush vineyards of the Coal River Valley, historic Richmond village is among the most picturesque in Tasmania. Lined with elegant Georgian buildings and presided over by the much-photographed Richmond Bridge, it’s also an important piece of Tasmania’s colonial heritage.
Thanks to its close proximity to the capital, Richmond village makes a popular destination for a morning or afternoon tour from Hobart. Richmond’s principal sights, such as St. John Church, the Richmond Bridge, and the Old Hobart Town Model Village, are the highlights of a walking tour, while most tours also include some free time to explore independently and browse the shops.
Full-day tours often combine a visit to Richmond village with a city sightseeing tour, a view from the top of Mt. Wellington, or nearby attractions such as the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
Richmond is a great place for shoppers, with a large selection of artisan boutiques, traditional crafts workshops, and art galleries.
The town has many hotels, restaurants, and cafés, making it a popular base for exploring the region.
Richmond’s main attractions are easy to get around on foot.
Richmond village is located around 16 miles (26 kilometers) northeast of Hobart, about a 25-minute drive along the Tasman Highway. If you don’t have your own transport, the easiest way to arrive is by shuttle bus—the Hobart Shuttle Bus Company operates regular buses to and from the town.
Richmond is busiest in the summer months (December to February), when tour buses filled with day-trippers descend on the town each day. It’s worth timing your visit for a Saturday, when the popular Richmond Village Farmers and Makers Market is held in the Town Hall.
Richmond village was founded in the 1820s as an important military staging post and convict station that linked Hobart with Port Arthur, and the remains of its convict heritage can still be spotted around town. The landmark Richmond Bridge is the oldest stone bridge in Australia, built by Tasmania’s convict workers in 1825. The town is also home to Richmond Gaol (now a museum), Australia’s oldest jail, where convicts were held en route to Port Arthur. The Old Hobart Town Model Village offers a miniature re-creation of the early 19th-century town, which affords a fascinating glimpse into everyday life during the convict era.
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