In 1872, however, the Sorell Causeway was opened, bypassing Richmond, which became a rural community with little incentive for change or development. Most of the approximately fifty buildings – plain and functional stone dwellings – date from the 1830s and 1840s, and many are now used as galleries, craft shops, cafés, restaurants and guesthouses. Attractions along Bridge Street include the wooden Richmond Maze (daily 10am–5pm; $3.50); the Old Hobart Town Model Village (daily 9.30am–5.30pm; $5), a large-scale outdoor model of Hobart in the 1820s; and the Richmond Toy Museum (daily 10am–5pm; $2.50), which exhibits toys dating from the 1890s to the 1960s.
Tourist fluff aside, the grey-stone, slate-roofed Richmond Gaol (daily 9am–5pm; $4), an intact example of an early prison, is Richmond’s most authentic attraction. The prison’s function was mostly to house prisoners in transit or those awaiting trial, and to accommodate convict road gangs working in the district; the east wing was designed to hold female convicts, who could not be accommodated at Port Arthur. Informative signs explain the various features of the jail, which now seems incongruously pretty, set around a central square with grass, flowers and a tree.
In addition to the jail, Richmond has the distinction of having both Australia’s oldest Roman Catholic Church – that of St John, which dates in part from 1837 – and its oldest bridge. Richmond Bridge was constructed in 1823 under harsh conditions using convict labour; there’s a legend that it’s haunted by the ghost of the brutal flagellator, George Grover, who was beaten to death by the convicts and thrown into the river during its construction.
Old Hobart Town Historical Model VillageUnique to Australia and over two years in the making the village is built from historically accurate plans where possible. Learn of Hobart's history and its place in Australian heritage.
Practicalities
Accommodation mainly consists of very pricey B&Bs in quaint colonial buildings. Emerald Cottage, at 23 Torrens St, is a converted stable where you get a whole cottage to yourself (breakfast ingredients supplied). For something more grand, try Prospect House, on your left as you come into town on Cambridge Road; it’s a Georgian country mansion set in extensive landscaped grounds, and has its own licensed restaurant.
Further out, 6km from Richmond along Prossers Road, is Richmond Country Bed and Breakfast, a comfortable, reasonably priced, non-smoking homestead in a quiet rural setting.
For food, walk along Bridge Street, where you’ll find the pretty Richmond Arms Hotel, which serves upmarket pub meals; the Richmond Bakery on Edward Street has a Swiss baker who makes delicious pastries; and there’s an upmarket brasserie in the Richmond Wine Centre, 27 Bridge St (daily 10am–6pm, Fri & Sat until 8pm), where the emphasis is on quality Tasmanian produce.