'A Cheapskate's Guide to Exploring Tasmania By Car'
is a guide to travel, sightseeing and services that looks at what to do, where to stay, a little history of Tasmanian cities and towns, photos, drive through town videos, attractions, amenities and dump points and maps.
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Brady (1799 – 4 May 1826) was a notorious bushranger in Van Diemen's Land (now known as Tasmania) in the early 19th century.
He was sometimes known as the "Gentleman Bushranger" due to his good treatment and fine manners when robbing his victims.
Brady considered himself a gentleman, who never robbed or insulted women. The military considered him a dangerous bushranger.
Brady's gang held up Sorell and captured the
local garrison (in which the garrison commander, Lieut. William Gunn was
shot in the arm, which was subsequently amputated).
Lieut. Governor Arthur posted rewards for the capture of Brady and his gang.
In return, Brady posted a reward of "Twenty gallons of rum" to any person who would deliver Governor Arthur to him.
Sorell
Sorell is located on the Tasman Highway at the junction with the Arthur Highway and is one of Tasmania's oldest towns, being first settled in 1808 as a small farming community and becoming an official township in 1821.
The town features a broad range of shops and services as well as a large self-contained RV campsite.
Rest Area for self-contained caravans and motorhomes in Montagu Street, Sorell.
A permit fee is payable and there is a maximum 10 night stay.
Permits available from the pay station on site or Council office at 47 Cole Street (Mon - Fri 8AM to 4:45 PM)
One to four nights $7.50 night - Up to five nights $26.00. Camping, campfires and dumping rubbish is prohibited.
There
are a number of interesting heritage walks in Sorell and many old
buildings from the colonial period have been preserved to the present
day. These include:
The Barracks - Built 1827, St Georges Church - Built in 1828 - Rebuilt 1884, The old Post Office - Built 1840, Pembroke Inn - Built in the 1840s, Scots Uniting Church - Built 1842, The Gordon Highlander Hotel - Opened 1844, Police Magistrates House - Built 1848, St Thomas Catholic Church - Built 1864, Pelham House (Originally a Maternity hospital and Doctors Surgery) - Built 1864, Sorell Antiques Centre (Originally a Library) - Built in 1861, Railway House/Terminal - Railway opened 1892
Sorell Fruit Farm sells many Tasmanian fruit products. Some are made by Sorell Fruit Farm and others are made by other
Tasmanian producers. Jams, honeys, vinegars, fruit liqueurs and chutney
are included.
Geeveston is a small town in the south of Tasmania in Australia, on the Huon Highway, near the Huon River, 62 km (39 mi) south-west of Hobart, making it Australia's most southerly administrative centre.
It is the heart of Tasmania's apple and fruit-growing sector, and has been heavily dependent on the timber industry since the late nineteenth century. In 1962, a pulp mill was established in the town, and it remained Geeveston's largest employer until the plant closed, which devastated the local economy. As a result, the town decided to (successfully) reposition itself as a tourist attraction. The town takes its name from William Geeves, an English settler who was given a land grant by Lady Jane Franklin in the area then known as Lightwood Bottom (after a type of timber prevalent in the area).
Wooden Statues
Geeveston’s original wooden statues were carved by Bernie Tarr and another artist. There are seven of Tarr’s pieces in various places around the main part of the town, plus a number of others by unknown artists.
“The Pioneers” (heritage couple): in front of the Geeveston Bakery
Bill Trevaskis (chemist): beside the Geeveston Pharmacy
Oswald Kyle (doctor): in front of the Geeveston Library
Jim Wotherspoon (police officer): beside the Geeveston Visitor Centre
Jessica Hannabury (milliner): beside the Geeveston Visitor Centre
Simon Burgess (rower): just up from the Bendigo Bank
Jim Hinchey (blacksmith): opposite The Aurora Fae Studio Gallery
John Geeves (founding father) and a fruit picker: opposite Cambridge House
A wood cutter: inside the front door of the Geeveston Visitor Centre
The Loony Toons character “Tassie Devil”: garden of private house, Glen Huon Rd Judbury
The Geeveston Ex-Servicemen's & Women's Club Camping
11 Memorial Dr, Geeveston TAS 7116
(03) 6297 1105
-43.168251 146.927366
The club has an RV friendly camp ground for self-contained
campers only. Camping in vans, camper trailers, Roof-top tents and
freestanding tents is not permitted.
$10 per night, stay 3 nights and get the 4th free!
Meals are on offer Friday and Saturday from 5pm until 8pm. Firewood also available at $10 a wheelbarrow load between 4.30-5.30pm
Facilities include toilets, drinking water and picnic tables. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a lead and picked up after.
The Geeveston Visitor Centre (Forest & Heritage Centre)
The amazing Forest & Heritage Centre (Geeveston Visitor Centre) at the end of the main street features an impressive display detailing the history of the local timber industry. In addition, it serves as the town's visitor centre and is frequently manned by locals known as "Green Jackets," who are delighted to provide recommendations for local attractions and narrate tales about the town's past.
The Tahune AirWalk
Arve Rd, Geeveston Closes 4PM Ph: 1300 720 507
Walk 20–48 metres above the ground through stands of Huon Pine, Myrtle, Leatherwood, Stringybark, Sassafras and Blackwood.
There are a total of three walks which can take up to 2.5 hours to complete.
For more information, pricing and opening hours check out Website
Geeveston Platypus Walk
Adjacent to Heritage Park, the Geeveston Platypus Walk stretches alongside the Kermandie River.
The stroll descends to the water's edge through Heritage Park, beginning at the Visitor Centre.
You can follow the riverbank in any direction from here, but if you go left and pass the Forest Workers memorial, you will find a wooden viewing platform with a view of a serene stretch of the river.
Hartz Mountains National Park
Tasmanian pademelons inhabit the park
Situated in southern Tasmania, the Hartz Mountains National Park is one of the 19 Tasmanian National Parks.
It was recognised for its natural and cultural values in 1989 when it was added to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The park was named after the German Harz mountain range.
Bennett's wallabies, Tasmanian pademelons, brushtail possums, echidnas, and platypus are among the park's nocturnal creatures.
One remarkable amphibian found in the Hartz Mountains in 1992 is the moss froglet.
Several honeyeaters, the eastern spinebill, the green rosella, and the forest raven are among the frequent avian inhabitants of the park.
Geeveston Twilight Feast On the first Thursday of each month from 5pm the Geeveston Community gets together to cook and eat at the Geeveston Visitor Centre. Everybody welcome.
Address: 15 Church St Geeveston Phone: 0423 189 274 Facebook: Geeveston Feast
Toilet Facilities
Heritage Park 7 Brady Street, Geeveston OPEN: Daylight hours
Geeveston Service Station - BP 4840 Huon Highway, Geeveston
RV Dump Points Arve Road, Geeveston
Police Station - non-emergency ph. 131 444 Geeveston Police Station 1 Arve Rd, Geeveston (03) 6297 0011
Doctor/Medical Centre Geeveston Medical Centre 19 Arve Rd, Geeveston Phone: (03) 6297 1903
Alfred Barrett Biggs (1825-1900), teacher, bank officer, astronomer and inventor, was born on 10 April 1825 in London, moving to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) in 1833.
In 1872, he moved to Campbell Town, where he taught in the public school and befriended Dr William Valentine, of The Grange, in Campbell Town.
Both men were fascinated by astronomy, and in 1874 a rare astronomical event occurred: the transit of Venus. Valentine had invited an American expedition to view the transit from his home. Biggs assisted with the observations, and the Americans gave him a building they had used in making their observations.
In 1877 Biggs learned of the invention of the telephone. He then constructed a pair of telephones and had them connected between Launceston and Campbell Town, successfully transmitting sounds between the two locations. It has been claimed that this was the first telephone connection in Australia.
In 1874, with well-known astronomer, Dr. William Valentine, he prepared the equipment for the team of US astronomers who observed the transit of Venus from Campbell Town. Biggs made the lenses for his telescope and ended up as Government Astronomer
Thetelephone equipment, modelled on designs by Alexander Graham Bell, is now housed in the Queen Victoria Museum in Launceston.
The Grange - Campbell Town
The Transit of Venus Sundial
In the park in front of The Grange is an unusual monument, the Transit of Venus sundial. It was designed from old agricultural machinery found around the town by Anthony Sprent. It commemorates the Transit of Venus which took place in 1874 and was designed for the transit which occurred on 8 June, 2004.
Campbell Town was one of the early coaching stops and is the centre of the fine wool and sheep-farming region.
Campbell Town, located on the banks of the Elizabeth River, is approximately 69 kilometres from Launceston and 133 kilometres from Hobart.
It was an early coaching stop and had a population of 781 (2011 census).
Governor Lachlan Macquarie named the town after his wife's family while visiting in 1821.
Campbell Town was one of nine police districts established by Governor Arthur in 1827, each with a stipendiary magistrate, a contingent of troops, a doctor, a postmaster, and a lecturer or catechist.
The causeway over the Elizabeth River was removed when the current bridge was erected in 1837, and a brewery near the stream was established to supply the three hotels.
A flour mill was also built to supply the hamlet, even though some of the inhabitants had been grinding their own grain for years prior to this using stone rollers and water wheels.
The larger estates employed carpenters, blacksmiths, nail technicians, and every other tradesman required for independence, making them essentially self-sufficient.
Meehan had built out the township proper, as Gov. Macquarie had instructed, with a common area and streets spanning an approximate distance of three miles in length and one mile in width.
Nearly every bushranger recorded in Tasmanian
history seems to have robbed, murdered or burned his way through the
Campbell Town district at one time or another in his career.
Campbell Town Free Overnight Caravan Stop Blackburn Park
Built by convicts in 1838, The Red Bridge crosses the Elizabeth River at Campbell Town and is the oldest surviving brick arch bridge in Australia,
The bridge contains three arch spans of 7.6 m (25 ft) each and holds two lanes of traffic as well as pedestrian walkways., carrying over two million vehicles per year.
It was constructed of 1,250,000 handmade bricks on dry land, and after its completion the river was diverted to flow under the bridge. It has been registered on the Register of the National Estate since 1978.
The best vantage points for photography are
from the adjacent foot bridge or at the foot of the stone steps on the
North West corner.
A large sign at the site tells the history of the bridge.
A small park at the northern end of the bridge features a number of interesting pieces of chain-saw art.
In addition to the wonderful Red Bridge, there is also:
The Convict Brick Trail In a commemoration of our convict history, each
brick is engraved with the names and a few personal details of convicts
transported to Australia and Norfolk Island.
The Catholic Church
In King St., east of the main street.
ST Luke's Church
Built in 1835 is one of the oldest in Australia and is on the northern edge of the town.
Harold Gatty Memorial
A memorial to the first man to fly around the world, in 1931, is on the northern edge of the town.
Old Water Wheel
On Franklin St., just south of the Elizabeth River.
Grange
A gentleman's house built in 1847 is just south of Valentine Park, which is in the centre of the town.
The Grange was built in about 1847 for Dr. William Valentine and was designed by James Blackburn.
Dr. Valentine was interested in all things scientific and
in 1874 his friend, Alfred Biggs, a schoolmaster, made a pair of
telephones from the drawings of Alexander Graham Bell, with which the
first telephone conversation in the Southern Hemisphere was conducted -
between Campbell Town and Launceston.
In 1875 the Grange played host to an American expedition formed to observe the transit of Venus.
The observatory building resides in the garden and the
telescope casings are now gate-posts, facing the highway, while the
telephones are housed in the Queen Victoria Museum in Launceston.
Fox Hunter's Return Built in 1838 the Fox Hunter's Return is rated as the best preserved of this early Colonial style in Australia and now boasts a second-hand bookshop in the basement.
Toilet Facilities Valentine's Park, Commonwealth Lane, Campbell Town - Open 24 hours
Doctor/Medical Centre
Campbell Town Surgery, 70 High St., Campbell Town, - ph. (03) 6381 1133
Police Station 105 High Street, Campbell Town - non-emergency, ph. 131 444
Campbell Town St Michael's Catholic
Mason / Forster Streets - Off Midland Highway (North of Town)
Campbell Town Anglican Cemetery
Church St, Campbell Town
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Organisers of regular markets that are not included here are welcome to submit information for inclusion using the Contact Form at the bottom of the right-hand column.
Midlands
Oatlands Farmers Market
Photography,
homemade cakes, wooden boxes, hand made cards, goats milk soap,
butterflies and glass painting, bric-a-brac, knick-knacks, craft.
Oatlands
Community Market, 1st Sunday of every month, 10 am- 2 pm: local makers
& growers, sharing rural life, in a warm welcoming venue in the
heritage town of Oatlands, Tasmania. Stalls $10, tables provided @
Community centre, 68 High Street.Facebook
Ross Village Market
Join
us for our country market in the beautiful town hall in Ross. We are
open on the third Sunday of each month at 9:00 a.m. We serve licenced,
handcrafted speciality pies, cakes, and preserves.
The market kitchen serves handmade breakfast, lunch, tea, and coffee.
The
market is undercover, so you can enjoy a traditional country market in
Ross Town Hall regardless of the weather. You can find a variety of
things from local artists, makers, and dealers.
Open 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Church St, Ross. Website
Evandale Market
The markets are located in Falls Park, on Logan Road and open every Sunday, from around 8:00am until around 1:30pm
Over
100 stalls including a wide range of wares and high quality crafts,
plants, trees, shrubs and garden ornaments and bric-a-brac for every
budget and a wide selection of Tasmanian food products such as jams,
sauces, relish and honey.
There are plenty of food stalls and children's amusements. Facebook
Campbell Town Mini Market
Bargain hunter's delight, bric-a-brac, cakes, plants, clothes, and more.
Held
last Sunday each month from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in winter and 3 p.m. in
summer at Midlands Bowling Club, 156 Bridge St., Campbell Town.
Ross Village Markets
The
community of Ross has a country market on the third Sunday of each
month at Ross Town Hall, Church Street, Ross, beginning at 9 a.m.
Come
partake in the fun and excitement of the Ross Village Market. There is a
large array of stalls selling local goods and products.
RSL Longford Market
The
Longford RSL is holding its monthly markets on Wellington Street in
Longford. The Farmers Market will include fruit, gifts, crafts, and a
car boot sale for trash and treasure.
Held on the last Saturday of each month, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at Wellington Street, Longford. Facebook
Ross Market
The historic village of Ross hosts a country market on the third Sunday of each month from 9am in the Ross Town Hall.
The
market includes local handicrafts, produce and a 'home baked' section
where you can buy licenced home-made speciality pies, cakes and
preserves.
You can also enjoy a home-made breakfast, lunch, tea and coffee at the Market Kitchen. Facebook
Hobart and South
The Market at Franklin
A monthly market held in Franklin, 40 minutes drive south of Hobart, on the last Sunday of the month.
The Market features 30+ stalls selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, free-range eggs, jams, chutney, honey, cakes, pies and olive oil, plants, seedlings and herbs, ceramic wooden and textile crafts, jewellery and alpaca products. Facebook Page
Hobart Farm Gate Market
Farm Gate Market operates every Sunday on Bathurst St, between Murray and Elizabeth streets: 8.30am – 1.00pm
Every Sunday, come rain hail or shine, a busy street in the heart of Hobart transforms into a bustling farmers' market. It's all about Tasmanian produce and getting to know your farmer, and it always has been.
Tasmania's distinct growing seasons make for an ever-changing array of produce, and that's what we celebrate every Sunday. Staying true to what's in season locally is reflected throughout the market; on fresh produce stalls, in artisan foods and foodie menus. Website
The Hub Creative Market
Embrace
the Local Spirit: A vibrant gathering of handmade talent, delicious
food, and entertainment each 3rd Sunday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. at Kingborough Community Hub, 7 Goahawk Way, Kingston. Facebook
Lunawanna Makers and Produce Market
The
Lunawanna Makers and Produce Market takes place every first and third
Sunday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4585 Bruny Island Main Rd.,
Lunawanna, and is sure to inspire.
A wood fire creates a warm
and welcoming ambience at South Bruny Island's historic Lunawanna
Memorial Hall. Regardless of the weather, you will be warm and dry
inside the hall. During the winter, the market takes place on the third
Sunday of each month. Hot cuisine is served from the kitchen, along with
freshly made breads, brioche, and croissants.
Snug Beach Community Market
Held Second Saturday of the month, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at 62 Beach Road, Snug.
Offering Handmade, Homegrown and quality pre-loved goods. Also, baked goods and food/coffee vans. Dogs on leads are welcome outside, and assistance dogs are allowed inside the hall. Facebook
Collinsvale Market
A Community Market which re opened 2021 on the last Sunday of the month 10-2pm at 10 Hall Rd, Collinsvale
Food and coffee, plus over 60 stalls ranging from boutique distillers, fresh produce, makers, bakers, plants, artisans, and some second-hand goods.
There is live music to enjoy and seating nearby to soak up the atmosphere. Facebook
Salamanca Market
The
Salamanca Market operates every Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, except for
Christmas Day or Anzac Day when the market is held on Sunday. There is
no entry fee.
Tasmania's biggest selection of locally made
products can be explored every Saturday including hand-worked glass,
innovative design in Tasmanian timbers, stylish clothing, bespoke
jewellery, organic produce, artworks, bath and body care, ceramics and
leather goods, handcrafted cheeses, breads, wines and spirits, and
delicious hot foods. Hobart Website
New Norfolk Market
Over 50 wonderful stall every Saturday of the month, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM at 59 High Street, New Norfolk
Explore and enjoy all of what our local artisans, producers, makers and creators have to offer from the Derwent Valley region. Facebook
Launceston and North
Launceston Farmers' Market
Harvest Launceston Community Farmers' Market is held every Saturday from 8.30am until 12.30pm at 71 Cimitiere Street (car park opposite Albert Hall), Launceston.
Meet the farmers, connect with locals and feast your eyes on baskets brimming with Tasmania's freshest seasonal produce, ethical meat and fish, local dairy, artisan bread and pastries, bright summer berries or blushing autumn apples. Website
North West
Burnie Farmers' Market
Avoid the hustle and bustle of the supermarkets and visit the market for the freshest and the best of local veggies and seasonal fruits.
Pick up some great bargains in a fun and friendly atmosphere, there are around 50 stalls selling fruit and vegetables, home baking and craft on the first and third Saturday each month from 8am until noon at 10 Smith st, Wivenhoe. Facebook
Market Square Pavilion - Twilight Market
Located at 13-17 Oldaker Street, Devonport, parking is available in the new multi-level car park. Entry is via Fenton Way or Best Street, with two exits onto Fenton Way.
The Devonport Twilight Market is held once a month on a Friday night from 4 - 8pm, and feature about 40 Coastal and Tasmanian producers representing the best in food, produce, arts and crafts. Website
The Penguin Undercover Market
Goods
come with a side of history at Tasmania's largest undercover market,
which is hosted inside Penguin's former primary school, which opened in
1925.
Along with stalls selling locally made things like as
jewellery, fruit, collectibles, and plants, there is live music by local
musicians and an undercover food court for a leisurely market lunch.
Open every Sunday, barring Christmas day at Arnold St. Facebook
Don Village Market
Featuring about 50 outdoor and undercover stalls featuring homespun goods and fresh produce, through to the garden enthusiasts.
17 Forth Rd, Don, opposite Don River Railway, every Sunday. Facebook
Latrobe Village Market
Antiques, crafts, fresh produce and homemade preserves.
Handcrafted jewellery, herbs, organic produce and second hand goods. Street market every Sunday, 9am to 2pm., 169-171 Gilbert Street, Latrobe, opposite Council Chambers. Website
East Coast
St Marys Market
St.
Marys Market sells local artisan products, fibre and leather work,
fresh produce, jams and pickles, and a wide selection of bric-a-brac and
collectibles.
Held on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Marys Town Hall, 23 Main Street. Website
Swansea Community Market
Swansea
Community Market features local art, crafts, and seasonal fresh
vegetables, as well as a morning tea parlour serving delicious pastries,
tea, and coffee. New stallholders are always welcome.
Held at Town Hall, 12 Franklin Street, Swansea, from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month. Facebook.
St Helens Market
Stalls
are stacked high with handmade clothing, jewellery, cards, biscuits,
cakes, jams and sauces, bric-a-brac like second-hand tools, furniture,
crockery, books, and so on, as well as fresh vegetables and plants.
Most markets have a BBQ, and the majority of stall revenues go to community services and organisations in the Break ODay area.
Held every Saturday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Portland Memorial Hall, 39 Cecilia St, St Helens.
The Village Market, Triabunna
Held on the third Sunday of each month from 10.00am to 1.00pm.
There is a range of stalls including second hand books, bric-a-brac, local craft, seasonal plants for sale, locally made jams and preserves and seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables. Website
South East
Bream Creek Farmers Market
The Bream Creek Farmers Market is a produce based market held at the Bream Creek Show Grounds on the first Sunday of every month, showcasing growers, cooks, brewers, producers and makers, from South Eastern Tasmania and beyond.
Turn off the Arthur Highway at Copping, and the Show grounds are a few kilometres up Marion Bay Road. Website
West Coast
Queenstown Community Market
A monthly market where makers, creators, crafters, entrepreneurs, people, and community groups can sell their products or promote their services.
The Queenstown Community Market has been held for nearly forty years and is entirely organised by volunteers. The market attracts stallholders from all over the West Coast and beyond, and both locals and visitors to the region shop there.
Held from 11am-1.30pm at 53 Orr Street, Queenstown
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Richmond, which is located around 25 kilometres northeast of Hobart and 174 kilometres southeast of Launceston, has a population of 1,610 people (2011 census).
Nestled in the Coal River Valley, between the Midland Highway and Tasman Highway, this classified historic town is famous for its Georgian architecture and contains Australia’s oldest freestone road bridge, the oldest Roman Catholic Church, and the best preserved convict gaol.
Richmond, one of the most visited places in Tasmania, is a significant historic town with many fine examples of the state's brutal convict past and stunning historic buildings that are now home to museums, galleries, tea shops, artisan boutiques, and antique stores.
The town is as magnificent today as it was in the 1820s, when it served as an important military staging point and convict camp connecting Hobart to Port Arthur.
Richmond Village Attractions by: VideoTasmania
The Richmond Caravan Cabin Park
48 Middle Tea Tree Road Richmond, Tasmania 7025 (03) 6260 2192 Visit the Website
The Richmond Caravan & Cabin Park has a variety of accommodations. It includes cabins, campsites, and both powered and unpowered sites. Park facilities include a campers' kitchen, gas barbecue, half-size tennis court, games room, playground and In the summer, a solar-heated indoor swimming pool.
Cabins are available with private facilities. All cabins include tea and coffee-making facilities, televisions, cooking amenities, heaters, and electric blankets.
It is quite easy to spend a couple of days savouring Richmond's stunning charms, its fresh food and superb wines, its distinctive art and craftwork - in scented wood, finely glazed clay, or hand woven fibres - as well as its great attractions, which include:
Old Hobart Town
Tasmania's original historical model
village, which accurately replicates in miniature the life and history
of Hobart in 1820.
Located in the main street of Richmond, this attraction has
been built from original plans (over three years) and set out in
streets.
As visitors walk the streets of old Hobart, the informative
signage really captures interest and makes for a unique and fascinating
tour. Visit the Website
Pooseum The award-winning Pooseum, located at 22 Bridge Street in Richmond, is Australia's only quirky science museum dedicated to all things poo. You'll discover more about poo than you ever imagined! See Website.
Richmond Gaol
In Bathurst Street, built in 1825, with displays of convicts and the penal system. Visit the Website
Richmond Bridge Built by convict chain gangs in 1823.
Grannie Rhodes, Cottage
An authentic 1830s cottage with daily performances of “Turn
the Key of Time” – true stories about life in the 19th century.
the Richmond Maze Get lost in a tangle of pathways and dead ends, in
either of the two mazes and look for the surprise centre before relaxing
with a hot pot of tea or light meal in the tearooms or gardens. Fun for all ages,with wheel-chair access. Visit the Website
Heritage Buildings Including St John’s Church (1837), St Luke’s
Anglican Church (1838), Richmond Primary School (1834/5), Richmond Arms
Hotel (1888), Court House (1825).
ZooDoo Wildlife Park
with its Large collection of native, agricultural and exotic
animals, including tigers, lions and international wildlife - Visit the Website , or
In 1824, the township of Richmond was named, following a complex land deal with David Lord, where ninety acres of his Richmond Park estate were exchanged for 1400 acres adjacent to his property.
Added to in the 1830s, Richmond Gaol was built in 1825 as part of Governor Arthur's system of police districts and was last used as a gaol in 1928 - it is open daily for inspection.
One of its infamous inmates was convict, Ikey Solomon, said to be the model for Dickens' Fagin.
Justice seemed a bit random in the colony, as, in 1859, on 27 November, near Richmond, a crippled cowherd called John Dowling had his throat cut, skull broken, and some of his fingers cut off, presumably while struggling with his murderer.
The police arrested John Nash, who had a history of violence, and lived a few miles out of Richmond.
In court, the story unfolded that Dowling came with two men to Richmond’s Bridge Inn and paid for a glass of ale with a pound note.
Nash was sitting on a couch nearby.
Later a clergyman found Dowling’s body, still warm, with Nash not far away with traces of blood on his trousers and shirt.
Evidence was given that a notched knife, found on Nash’s person and with blood on it, could have inflicted Dowling’s wounds.
Nash argued that he had bought the knife from a Mr Scott, and the trousers, complete with bloodstains, from a fellow-prisoner at Port Arthur, but the evidence seemed overwhelming, and a sentence of death was imposed.
Then it was found that Nash had indeed bought the knife from Scott after the murder had been committed, but the Chief Justice felt the sentence should be carried out since ‘there is no moral doubt of his guilt’.
Nash was executed, still protesting his innocence.
A description of Richmond c 1852 drawn from The History of Tasmania - Volume II (of 2) by John West.
Richmond [is] a town at the mouth of the Coal River, in the parish of Ulva and county of Monmouth, 15 miles (24 km) from Hobart, and 100 miles (161 km) from Launceston.
It contains an episcopal and a Catholic Church, a congregational chapel, a police office, post station, a gaol, and courthouse, and several inns.
It has a resident police magistrate, and the population of the town and district, which consists of farms, is 3,144, and the number of houses 545, nearly half of which are of stone or brick.
The Coal River, which here falls into the bay of Pittwater, is crossed at the town by an excellent stone bridge of six arches.
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Links to information on Tasmanian Quarantine, the Spirit of Tasmania and rules for Inland Fishing.
Bringing Your Dog
Before a dog can enter Tasmania, its owner must have evidence that it has been treated with praziquantel at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg body weight within 14 days before entry to Tasmania.
The evidence can be a statement by a vet, evidence of treatment (such as the pill packet) that is carried by whoever accompanies the dog or a statutory declaration by the owner.
Tasmanian Quarantine
Within Australia, there are limitations on what you can bring over quarantine and state borders. If travellers bring prohibited products across borders, they will be fined immediately.
Check before you travel It’s always good to check any restrictions that might apply to your trip.
'A Traveller's guide to Australian interstate quarantine'
Inland Fisheries
Click HERE to visit this Tasmanian Government site for Angling licence & conditions, angling season, bag and size limits and more.
Spirit of Tasmania
Click HERE for up-to-the-minute information directly from the source covering fares, timetable, bookings, accommodation, food, onboard activities, ship layout and fur babies.
Tasmanian Distance Calculator
Enter the "Distance From" city, village, town, airport or place name from Tasmania "Distance From" text box.
Enter the "Distance To" city, village, town, airport or place name from Tasmania in the "Distance To" text box.
Click the "Get Distance & Directions" button to get the distance between the selected addresses /places /cities /towns /villages /airports in Tasmania (Australia).