Richmond is a town in
TasmaniaTasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
about 25 km north-east of
HobartHobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, in the Coal River region, between the Midland Highway and
Tasman HighwayThe Tasman Highway is a highway in Tasmania, Australia. Like the Midland Highway, it connects the major cities of Hobart and Launceston — however it takes a different route, via the north-eastern and eastern coasts of the state. The Highway also acts as a major commuter road to Hobart...
. At the 2006
censusThe Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Richmond had a population of 880.
Richmond's most famous landmark is the
Richmond BridgeThe Richmond Bridge is a heritage listed arch bridge located on the B31 in Richmond, 25 kilometres north of Hobart in Tasmania, Australia. It is the oldest bridge still in use in Australia.-History:...
, built in 1823 to 1825, around the time of the town's first settlement. It is Australia's oldest bridge still in use.
St John's Catholic church was built in 1836, and is considered the oldest Roman Catholic church in Australia.
The town was initially part of the route between Hobart and
Port ArthurPort Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia. Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and the open air museum is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction. It is located approximately 60 km south east of...
until the
Sorell CausewayThe Sorell Causeway is a causeway that stretches from the western side of Midway Point across Orielton Lagoon to Sorell. Together with Mcgees Bridge they connect Sorell with Hobart via the Tasman Highway....
was constructed in 1872.
Present-day Richmond is best known as being preserved as it was at that time. It is a vibrant tourist town, with many of the sandstone structures still standing.
Tourist attractions
Some notable tourist attractions in Richmond are the
Richmond BridgeThe Richmond Bridge is a heritage listed arch bridge located on the B31 in Richmond, 25 kilometres north of Hobart in Tasmania, Australia. It is the oldest bridge still in use in Australia.-History:...
, the
Richmond GaolThe Richmond Gaol is a convict era building and tourist attraction in Richmond, Tasmania. The whitewashed stone buildings are the oldest intact gaol in Australia.Most of the gaol buildings have not been changed since convict times...
,
Zoodoo Wildlife ParkZoodoo Wildlife Park is a wildlife park about 6 km from Richmond, Tasmania in Australia. It is spread over 90 hectares.Originally an Ostrich farm and miniature pony stud, Zoodoo first opened to the public on 2 July 1999 with just a few native animals...
, a
model of Old Hobart Town in the 1800s, and numerous old and heritage-listed buildings and parks.