Tasmania, Tassie or the Apple Isle had always been on my bucket list and I was disappointed that we missed it off our itinerary on our around Australia trip in 2014. Although I had travelled here previously when I was young and people had told me how fabulous it was, I was still blown away by its beauty. It was so much more than I anticipated. Our journey started and ended in Hobart, however we saved exploration of this city until the end of the trip. We picked up our campervan and headed only a short distance of 25 kilometres to the historic village of Richmond in the Coal River Valley.
Coal River, Richmond
Mr Wikipedia tells me that the name Coal River comes from the abundant natural source of coal in the area. And I thought is was because of the black coal-coloured waters in the river! Apparently the first British settlers used the valley as a mixture of grazing, pastureland and crop growing.
The Coal River region surrounding Richmond as it turns out, is an award winning wine producing area, with a similar latitude to the famous wine regions of France and Germany. So no wonder I had an instant affinity to this place!
Coal River Valley Farming
Coal River Valley Vineyard
Richmond resembles an old English village maybe set in the Cotswolds or somewhere else just as enchanting. I had to keep reminding myself I was in Australia as I wandered around the streets with camera in hand. It boasts more than 50 Georgian buildings, many beautifully restored and now operating as cafes, restaurants, galleries and accommodation.
Richmond, Tasmania
The gaol, that is beautifully restored and the oldest gaol in Australia, is now a tourist attraction, and is a reminder of the town’s convict past. It was built over a period of 15 years between 1825 and 1840 and was allegedly overcrowded with crude facilities.
Richmond Gaol
Most of the government buildings you see still standing in Richmond were hand built by convict labour. The Richmond Bridge is a very good example of this. It was built out of local stone in 1825 and is the oldest standing bridge in Australia. The arched bridge spans the brackish waters of the Coal River that creates a great mirror effect when photographed.
Richmond Bridge
Here’s a little tour around town showing some of the Georgian buildings that adorn this picture-perfect little village.
Richmond Historical Buildings
Richmond Historical Buildings
Richmond Churches
St John’s Catholic Church (upper right) is the oldest church still in use in Australia, built in 1837. A stroll around the church’s graveyard reveals the harsh times during the early 1800s in a convict colony, where many adults and infants perished at an early age.
The second church in the photo with the lantern above the gate is St Luke’s Anglican Church. It was built between 1834-35 in the typical Georgian Gothic style of architecture.
Richmond Arms Pub
The sandstone bricks and the gorgeous wrought iron lacework on the verandah of this old pub adds to its charm. The Richmond Arms Hotel was built c. 1888 and offers great home-style meals in an authentic setting.
My entree to Tasmania was this endearing little village of Richmond. What else was Tassie going to serve up to me? Follow my other posts on my Tassie Trip.
Linking up with Travel Photo Thursday
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seizetheday20
December 11, 2015Gorgeous photos of Tassie Kathy. I really love the pics of Richmond – so much history there. I went there when I was much younger too, but didn’t really appreciate the history then. May just have to return and check it out :-)
Kathy
December 11, 2015Richmond was glorious. I loved the place. Such a photographer’s dream! :)
Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
December 11, 2015I’ve been to Tassie 3 times and I love it. I’d move there if it wasn’t so far away. It’s my ideal type of place. Green, cold and wet.
Kathy
December 11, 20153 times!! It is a very beautiful place but way too cold, windy and wet for my liking. I’m a warm weather girl!! :)
Jo
December 11, 2015Me too Michelle, would love to live in Tassie. Ahh the green and cool! Loved hearing of your time in Richmond Kathy. Looking forward to part 2 :)
Kathy
December 11, 2015I can see why you might like Tassie Jo. It’s a lot like England. Same weather, lots of greenery and we need to remember that the English settled this island. :)
Life Images by Jill
December 11, 2015lovely to see your Tasmania posts. We went to Tassie a few years ago and would love to go back and spend more time. So beautiful both the countryside and the historical villages. It is amazing with its tough convict past how beautiful and peaceful it feels now.
Kathy
December 12, 2015We spent 12 days exploring Tassie and that wasn’t enough. Everyone keeps asking did you go to this place? So we realise that we will probably have to return and explore some more. I would in particular like to go back to the west of Tasmania and explore the wilderness area and Cradle Mountain. The weather was bad when we drove through this area and we didn’t have appropriate clothing.
indrani
December 11, 2015Lovely scenic captures.
The bridge looks good with its reflection.
Kathy
December 12, 2015Thank you Indrani. Richmond was very scenic and that bridge was a photographer’s dream!
Tanja
December 11, 2015It looks really nice! Interesting historic buildings. #travel photo thursday
Kathy
December 12, 2015With over 50 historic buildings, Richmond is a history buff’s heaven! I enjoyed photographing just a small selection of them.
All Around Oz
December 11, 2015Love all your gorgeous photos. We can’t wait till we can get down to Tassie.
Kathy
December 12, 2015You will love Tassie Mel. Such a diverse and beautiful place. Shame that the weather can be so extreme! :)
InsideJourneys
December 12, 2015Love the name, Tassie! Of course, each time I hear the name Tasmania, I think of the Tasmanian Devil – the one Looney Tunes made famous – and prisons.
The buildings are gorgeous. The bridge reminds me of a Roman bridge, really love the shadow it casts on the water.
I wonder if that gaol has concrete slab beds like the ones I saw in the old Hanover workhouse in Jamaica. That jail was built before 1776. Back then, when you went to prison, you were not only put to work, you were not afforded the luxury of a bed. Too bad that didn’t deter criminals.
The Richmond Arms Pub looks almost exactly like a historic house in Falmouth, Ja.
Thanks for the tour!
Kathy
December 12, 2015We Australians love to add an ‘ie’ to almost every word! The Tasmanian Devils are legendary and although we never saw one, there are plenty of wildlife centres in Tasmania where you can. The buildings are very English as the island was basically settled by predominantly English settlers. The gaol in Richmond did have beds, although they might have been there for show. I’m glad you enjoyed my tour of Richmond. :)
travellingbag
December 13, 2015I’m heading to Tasmania in March Kathy to do the Three Capes Walk which starts from Port Arthur. Looking forward to more of your Tassie trip.
Kathy
December 13, 2015I heard while I was in Tasmania that the Three Capes Walk has only just opened. That would be spectacular. The scenery on the Tasman Peninsula is breathtaking. My next post will feature some of this. You will love it!
malaysianmeanders
December 14, 2015That village of Richmond looks so charming, and the vineyards are beautiful. I wouldn’t know what to expect from Tassie as I mostly associate Looney Tune’s Tasmanian Devil character with it. Looks like a great place to visit.
Kathy
December 14, 2015Richmond was full of charm and history. Yes I think a lot of people from overseas would have no idea that Tasmania was part of Australia, let alone put it on their travel itinerary. However we did come across a few overseas tourists during our trip. It is definitely worth putting on the bucket list. :)
Jan from Retiring not shy!
December 15, 2015Great photos, I think it might be time to re-visit Tassie. So much to see in such a small place.
Kathy
December 15, 2015Tassie does pack a punch for such a small state. The scenery and history is amazing! :)