The small town of Richmond sits just 25 minutes to the north-east of Hobart. This makes it a perfect alternative base when exploring Hobart and surrounds. There are many great things to do in Richmond Tasmania, so you may need more than a day trip from Hobart to see it all!
Richmond is a fantastic little snapshot into the history of European settlement in Australia. There are many well preserved convict-built buildings and several places to visit to get an insight into this aspect of history.
Sitting within the Coal River Valley, Richmond is surrounded by beautiful vineyards and premium wineries. This all combines to make Richmond a perfect holiday destination and a great base for exploring southern Tasmania.
Table of Contents
9 Best Things To Do In Richmond Tasmania
Richmond Bridge & St Johns Church
The beautiful stone arched bridge
This is the oldest stone arch bridge in Australia and what is even more remarkable is that it’s still in operation today. To reach the Richmond Bridge carpark you will get to drive over this bridge built in 1823! This is an experience in itself but the best way to view the bridge is on a short walk along the river.
There is a nice park full of ducks near the carpark and if you continue walking a short distance up the road you’ll find St John’s Church. This small but picturesque church sits on a steep hill and looks out over the bridge and town. The church was opened in 1837 and is the oldest continuously used Catholic church in Australia.
If you wander across the bridge you will find one of the best views a little way along the bank. Follow the walking trail along the river and keep looking back. You will find a spot where you can see both the bridge and church at the same time. Finding all the best spots to photograph this bridge is probably the most popular of all the things to do in Richmond Tasmania!
Richmond Gaol
Explore the haunted cells
This gaol dating from 1825 is another notch in Richmond’s belt of oldest buildings in Australia. The property is beautifully preserved and laid out with displays and information placards. It was built by the convicts who were eventually housed within.
The cells and various other rooms are laid out with models and antiques to give an impression of the horrible conditions. You can just imagine the absolute misery of building the small cells knowing they would soon be your home!
The entry fee is affordable and they provide a written site guide with a special one for children. The children’s “eye spy challenge” awards a prize for those who find them all. This is also a great way for adults to spot some of the hidden details that you might otherwise miss.
Opening Hours
9am to 5pm, daily
Cost
Adults: $12
Children: $6
Family: $30 (2 adults and children 5 – 16 yrs)
More Info
Visit their website for further information
Drink Tasmania Tasting House
This is the best place to go to sample a large range of southern Tasmania’s best craft liquor. They stock a great variety of spirits and wines from local producers and offer affordable tasting experiences.
The store has a fantastic ambiance and very knowledgeable staff. After finding your favourite local beverage you can purchase a souvenir to enjoy later tonight or back home.
If you have decided to base yourself in Richmond then they also organise fantastic tours. There are a number of options available depending on your preferences. You can discover the best of gin, whisky and wine or a combination of them all (with some cider added to the mix).
Check their website for further details and to book a tour.
Opening Hours
10am to 5pm, daily
Richmond Heritage Walk
The oldest Anglican church in Australia
This easy 2.2km walk is the best way to see all of Richmond’s fantastically preserved heritage buildings. There are many surviving buildings from the 1800s that are constructed in the Georgian style with attractive sandstone blocks.
The walk will cover both the Richmond Bridge and the Gaol above. You will also see the Old School House, St Luke’s Anglican Church, the Congregational Church and the Oak Lodge.
You can finish the walk at the lovely picnic area near the bridge. There are many delicious food options in and around Richmond so pack a hamper and build up a good appetite on the walk.
See the official website for a map of the walk and a short history of each stop. Most of these stops can be visited and explored to learn more about their historical and current use.
Pooseum
This science museum is rather unique in it’s focus! Dedicated to animal poo and all the things that can be learnt from it, you are sure to discover something you never knew.
The displays about dinosaur poo and all the things that have been discovered from it are particularly interesting. Kids will love the many interactive displays set up just for them.
If you want to see something completely different on your visit to Richmond, this is the place. It’s definitely a fun break from the more traditional things to do in Richmond Tasmania.
Opening Hours
10am to 4pm, daily
Cost
- Adults: $16
- Child (5-15): $10
- Child (0-4): Free
- Concession: $14
More Info
Visit their website for further information
Old Hobart Town Model Village
Amazing details in Old Hobart Town
This is a fantastic and fun way to learn about the history of Hobart. As the name suggests, it’s a model village depicting the city as it was in the early 1800s. It was created using historical plans of the city and is filled with so many amazing little details.
If you have already been to Hobart then you may recognise some of the buildings that still exist. When you enter you get a beautiful map that will show you how the areas relate to modern Hobart. Paths through the village follow the routes of main streets that are still in use today.
The many authentic scenes of day-to-day life are so detailed and fun to discover. Kids will love finding some of the ‘hidden scenes’ that are scattered around and a list is made for them to tick off. The surrounding gardens are beautifully maintained and add to the enjoyment of the visit.
Opening Hours
9am to 5pm, daily
Cost
- Adults: $17.50
- Family: $40 (2 Adults, 1 child under 18)
$ 42.50 (2 Adults, 2 children under 18)
$ 45 (2 Adults, 3 children under 18)
FREE (Under 4) - Students: $5 (Under 18)
$7.50 (Under 25)
More Info
Visit their website for further information
Wicked Cheese Co & Littlewood Berry Farm
Tasmanian cheese is the best!
Tasmania is full of small farms/stores selling delicious fresh produce, and Richmond is no exception. Just outside town you will find two great options, pretty much right next to each other.
For something savoury head to the Wicked Cheese Co and sample their range of handmade cheeses. The milk is sourced straight from a Tasmanian family owned farm and nothing beats Tasmanian dairy. You can try a number of samples each day to help you make the tough choice of which one to buy.
You can’t forget about something sweet for desert, so pop next door to the Littlewood Berry Farm. Here you will be able to pick your own strawberries fresh off the plant. They don’t use any chemical sprays and the price/quality definitely beats the supermarket.
If you happen to be in town on a Saturday then don’t miss the Richmond Village Market. It runs from 9am to 3pm and offers a whole range of fresh local fruit and veg.
Opening Hours
Wicked Cheese Co: 10am to 4:30pm, daily
Littlewood Farm: Hours vary due to seasonality. See their website for details.
Cost
No entry fees.
Wineries
The region is focussed on the classic Tasmanian specialties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. There are several excellent wineries just outside of Richmond that you can visit yourself. The best option is to take a wine tour from Hobart so you can indulge in some of the best cellar doors in the region.
If you are driving yourself then check out some of these highly rated cellar doors: Pooley Wines, Every Man & His Dog Vineyard and Puddleduck Vineyard.
Opening Hours and Costs vary. Check the individual websites for further details.
Boutique Shopping
Richmond is full of nice old buildings
The streets of Richmond are packed full of boutique retailers selling a huge variety of giftware. You could spend hours browsing all the beautiful items and Tasmanian crafts.
There are far too many to list here and it’s much more fun to walk the streets and discover them yourself. Some of the favourites however are Sweets and Treats, a traditional sweet shop that also houses a small café. There is also the Tasmanian Lavender Company, selling all sorts of lavender scented and infused products.
If there is ever going to be a place to pick up a unique Tasmanian gift or souvenir, this is it!
How to get to Richmond
Richmond is located just 20mins drive outside of Hobart and there are many ways to get there. The fastest is by car, if you are flying into Hobart then search for the cheapest car rental for your trip.
By Car: ~20mins drive north-east of Hobart
By Bus: Public bus #726 runs from Hobart Town Hall to Richmond and back multiple times a day. It costs $7.60 per trip.
By Tour: The Richmond Village Shuttle includes informative live commentary and discounts to many Richmond shops and attractions.
St John’s Church in Richmond
Best Time to Visit Richmond
The best time to visit Richmond is from September to April. These months generally have reasonable weather and temperatures. Keep in mind however that Tasmania has relatively low temperatures compared to much of Australia, so pack warm!
For the best chance at sunshine and clear days you will want to travel in summer. This can get really busy so make sure to book well in advance. Be aware that winter sees a lot of businesses reducing or suspending operations.
How Long to Spend in Richmond
As you can see above, there are a lot of things to do in Richmond Tasmania! You can see most of the main highlights in a day trip from Hobart but two days is better if you want to really explore everything Richmond has to offer.
Things to do in Richmond Tasmania – Richmond Bridge
Where to Stay in Richmond
Richmond has some delightful accommodation options and it can provide an alternative base for exploring Hobart. You can however quite easily stay in Hobart as Richmond is only a short distance away.
Budget
Richmond Coachmans Rest – This simple, self-contained accommodation sits right in the centre of Richmond. It is clean, comfortable and highly rated.
Mid-Range
Mulberry Cottage Unique B&B – These attractive cottages sit amongst beautiful gardens and feature antique style furniture. It’s only a short walk to Richmond Bridge so you can capture some fantastic sunrise or sunset shots.
Luxury
Prospect House Private Hotel & Restaurant – An 1830s manor house has been beautifully restored to form this amazing luxury hotel. The property also features a highly rated restaurant/bar.
Read More on Tasmania
- 10 Day Tasmania Itinerary – A Bucket List Tasmania Road Trip
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- 9 Best Things to do in Strahan, Tasmania
- The 10 Best Things to do in Stanley, Tasmania
- The Perfect Maria Island Day Trip Itinerary
- Hiking Cradle Mountain – The Ultimate Guide
- 11 Awesome Day Trips from Hobart
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