What is the Richmond Bridge in Tasmania?
The Richmond Bridge is a sandstone arch bridge in the village of Richmond, Tasmania. Built by convicts and completed in 1825, it is the oldest bridge still in use in Australia.
Construction began in 1823 to carry the road from Hobart across the Coal River toward the east coast. Convict labourers quarried the sandstone nearby and carried it to the site by hand carts.
The bridge has four arches and still carries road traffic today. It was added to Australia's National Heritage List in 2005 as an outstanding example of convict-built infrastructure.
The village of Richmond
Richmond, about 25 minutes from Hobart, is one of Tasmania's best-preserved Georgian villages. Its streets are lined with sandstone cottages, galleries, bakeries and sweet shops.
Richmond Gaol, built in 1825, is older than Port Arthur and is now a museum showing cells and convict history. St John's Church, built in 1836, is the oldest Catholic church still in use in Australia.
The surrounding Coal River Valley is known for vineyards producing cool-climate wines such as Pinot Noir and Riesling. Visitors often combine Richmond with a trip to wineries or wildlife parks nearby.
Did You Know?
Local legend says the bridge is haunted by the ghost of a cruel convict overseer, George Grover, who was killed there.