Richmond - South East, Tasmania.
Richmond is unique among Australia’s historic towns in that it’s comprised of the best collection of restored Georgian architecture in the country and home to the nation’s oldest bridge, the oldest jail and the oldest Catholic Church, St Johns built in 1836.
Richmond owes its early existence to the discovery of coal in 1803 and before long settlers began to move into the area encouraged by Government land grants. A Court House, jail, additional barracks and watch-house were built in the 1820’s and the now famous and historic Richmond Bridge was built using convict labour in the period 1823 to 1825.
Already a significant convict station and military post, the town became an important staging point for people travelling from Hobart to the east coast and Tasman Peninsula and industry & local businesses flourished.
Take the opportunity to walk the streets of Richmond today and you’ll be rewarded with an insight into the areas convict heritage as well as visits to fine examples of Georgian buildings housing modern galleries, boutiques and museums. There are also tea-rooms & restaurants offering a great selection of locally produced fresh foods and fine wines.
Take a walk across the famous bridge and you might even encounter the ghost of convict overseer George Grover, rumoured to haunt the site since being beaten to death and thrown into the river by convicts during construction of the bridge.
Richmond is also home to “Old Hobart Town”, an intricate and historically accurate re-creation of Hobart as it was in the 1820’s.
This Tassie Local snapshot was produced by Footloose Photographic & Media Solutions
Things to see around - Richmond
Richmond - South East, Tasmania
