Day Trip from Hobart to Richmond Tasmania

A day trip from Hobart to Richmond is one of the easiest ways to explore beyond the city, with the historic village just 30 minutes away and enough history, food and wine to easily fill a day.

I visited Richmond as part of a day exploring the Coal River Valley. We wandered around the historic village, saw Australia’s oldest surviving stone arch bridge and stopped at wineries and food producers along the way.

Richmond itself is small and very walkable, but I think having a car – or, as we did, a private driver – makes this a much better day trip. I

t gives you the freedom to explore beyond the village and choose the stops that interest you.

Here’s how to plan a day trip from Hobart to Richmond, including what to see in town and some worthwhile stops along the way.

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If you’re looking for more ideas while you’re based in Hobart, I also have guides to a Port Arthur day trip from Hobart, visiting MONA and finding Hobart’s best street art.

Where is Richmond, Tasmania

Richmond is in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley, about 27 kilometres northeast of Hobart and around 30 minutes by car.

The village is compact, and once you arrive you can park and walk between most of Richmond’s main attractions.

While Richmond itself can be visited in half a day, I recommend allowing a full day if you want to explore the surrounding wineries, wildlife attractions and local food producers too.

How to Get to Richmond from Hobart

For this particular day trip, driving is the best option. Having your own car gives you the freedom to explore the Coal River Valley rather than simply travelling to Richmond and back.

We travelled as a group of six and hired a private driver for the day, which worked particularly well because we wanted to visit wineries. No one had to worry about driving after a tasting, and we could choose exactly where we wanted to stop.

If you only want to explore Richmond itself, there are public bus services between Hobart and Richmond, although services are limited.

Another option is a day tour from Hobart. Some combine Richmond with attractions such as Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary or kunanyi/Mount Wellington.

You’ll have less flexibility, but it’s an easy option if you don’t want to drive.

My pick: Hire a car if you’re comfortable driving, or consider a private driver if you’re travelling with a few people and want to include the wineries.

Things to Do in Richmond, Tasmania

Once you’ve parked, most of Richmond’s main sights are within easy walking distance.

Richmond Bridge

The Richmond Bridge is probably the town’s most recognisable landmark and an obvious place to start.

Built by convict labour from 1823 to 1825, it is generally recognised as Australia’s oldest surviving large stone arch bridge still in use.

Walk down to the banks of the Coal River rather than simply looking at the bridge from the road. From here you get the classic view of the sandstone arches, with St John’s Church on the hill behind.

When we visited in spring, there were ducks everywhere, including plenty of very cute ducklings. The grassy riverbank also makes a lovely picnic spot.

Richmond Bridge even has its own ghost story. George Grover, a former convict who became a gaol overseer, died after falling from the bridge in 1832. Stories claim his ghost still hangs around the bridge.

Ghost or no ghost, this is one Richmond sight I wouldn’t miss.

St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church

A short walk uphill from Richmond Bridge is St John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Opened in 1837, St John’s is generally recognised as the oldest continuously operating Catholic church in Australia.

The church itself is quite simple. I actually found the historic cemetery behind it just as interesting.

Some of the inscriptions have almost completely disappeared with age, while others offer a glimpse into the lives of Richmond’s early residents.

It’s also worth walking up here for another view towards Richmond Bridge and the Coal River.

Richmond Village Market

If you visit on a Saturday, have a look at the Richmond Village Market around the Town Hall.

You’ll find local produce, baked goods, preserves, plants, crafts and other Tasmanian products. I wouldn’t plan the day around it, but it’s an easy addition while you’re exploring the centre of town.

Richmond Gaol

Richmond Gaol is worth visiting if you’re interested in Tasmania’s convict history.

Dating from 1825, it predates the penal settlement at Port Arthur and is considered the oldest intact gaol in Australia.

You can explore the cells, solitary confinement areas and flagellation yard while learning about the people imprisoned here and the conditions they endured.

One of its best-known prisoners was Isaac Solomon, who was transported to Van Diemen’s Land and is often said to have been one of the inspirations for Fagin in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, although the connection isn’t established fact.

Allow around 30–45 minutes for your visit.

Old Hobart Town Model Village

Old Hobart Town Model Village recreates Hobart as it looked in the 1820s, with more than 60 miniature buildings and hundreds of tiny figures depicting colonial life.

Information throughout the model explains the buildings, people and events represented, so there’s more to it than simply looking at miniatures.

It’s particularly good for families, with plenty of little details for children to spot.

Allow around 30–45 minutes.

Pooseum

Richmond is full of colonial history and old buildings — and then there’s the Pooseum.

Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a museum dedicated to poo.

This small science museum explores animal droppings and what they can tell us about different species, diets and ecosystems. It sounds like an attraction purely for kids, but there’s enough quirky information to keep adults entertained too.

Check current age requirements before visiting, as the museum has previously had restrictions for younger children.

Things to do on the way to Richmond

One of the reasons I recommend driving is that the surrounding Coal River Valley adds wineries, local produce and wildlife attractions to your day.

You don’t need to visit everything below. Choose the stops that appeal to you and leave enough time to enjoy Richmond itself.

ZooDoo Wildlife Park Tasmania

Just outside Richmond, Zoodoo Zoo has both Australian and exotic animals, with safari-style experiences through some of its larger animal enclosures.

If wildlife is a priority, I’d also look at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary before deciding which one to visit. You probably don’t need to squeeze both into the same day.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

If you want to see Tasmanian wildlife, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary would be my pick.

Around 20 minutes from Richmond, Bonorong is home to native animals including Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas and free-roaming kangaroos.

The sanctuary has a strong focus on wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation and operates Tasmania’s 24-hour wildlife rescue service.

Allow at least 90 minutes to two hours for a visit. Bonorong requires a detour from the direct Hobart–Richmond route, so factor that into your day.

Some organised tours from Hobart combine Bonorong and Richmond if you don’t want to drive.

Puddleduck Winery

Puddleduck Winery was my favourite of the wineries we visited.

This family-run winery had a smaller and more personal feel than some of the larger cellar doors. When we visited, one of the family’s sons took us through our tasting and explained the wines and the story behind the vineyard.

And yes, there really are ducks. We visited in spring, when there were ducklings wandering around outside along with guinea fowl, while inside you’ll find plenty of duck-themed bits and pieces.

Puddleduck specialises in cool-climate Tasmanian wines and also produces verjuice, which we discovered can be mixed with water and drunk rather like a cordial – something I’d previously only thought of as a cooking ingredient.

You can also eat here, making it a good option for combining lunch with a wine tasting.

Frogmore Creek Winery

Frogmore Creek was our second winery stop and was quite a different experience.

It’s a larger, more polished operation with an impressive cellar door, restaurant and vineyard setting. Our tasting was more formal and less personal than at Puddleduck, but I particularly liked the 42 Degrees South Sauvignon Blanc.

The Coal River Valley is known for cool-climate wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and sparkling wines.

If I were choosing between the two, I’d pick Puddleduck for the cellar-door experience and Frogmore Creek if I wanted a longer winery lunch.

Coal River Farm

Coal River Farm gave us two very good reasons to stop: cheese and chocolate.

We tasted several cheeses, including Tassie Tilset and a blue cheese I particularly liked, along with macarons, hazelnut spread and a salted caramel pecan spread that Simon loved so much we bought a jar and rationed it carefully once we got home.

If it’s a cold Tasmanian day, look out for the chilli hot chocolate too. Mine was rich, warming and had quite a kick.

It’s an easy stop close to Richmond and a good option if wineries aren’t your thing – or you simply want some cheese and chocolate between tastings.

The Wicked Cheese Company

We didn’t make it to The Wicked Cheese Company because we’d already spent longer than planned at our other stops.

Although we didn’t visit the factory, we did try some of their cheeses at Salamanca Market in Hobart the following day.

If you’re particularly keen on cheese, you could stop here instead of – or as well as – Coal River Farm. For a one-day itinerary, though, I’d be selective rather than trying to visit every producer in the valley.

Places to Eat in Richmond, Tasmania

Our own search for lunch in Richmond didn’t quite go according to plan.

Before we left Hobart, the owner of our accommodation told us he’d once had one of the best meals of his life in Richmond. Unfortunately, he couldn’t remember the name.

“It’s just across the road from the bakery.”

Not exactly precise directions!

When we arrived, we parked near Richmond Bakery, where we hoped to try a Tasmanian scallop pie. They’d already sold out.

We eventually found one at Coal Valley Creamery and stopped there for lunch. It was okay, but nothing particularly memorable.

Later we spotted Czegs’ Cafe and immediately wondered if that was the mystery restaurant we’d been told about. We didn’t eat there, so I can’t personally recommend it.

Another option is to have lunch at one of the Coal River Valley wineries. Frogmore Creek works well for a longer sit-down lunch, while Puddleduck offers a more relaxed vineyard stop.

And if you see a scallop pie early in the day, perhaps don’t make the same mistake we did – buy it while you can!

Richmond, Tasmania Accommodation

For a day trip from Hobart, I don’t think you need to stay overnight in Richmond. It’s close enough to easily return to the city at the end of the day.

If you’re planning a slower trip through the Coal River Valley, however, staying overnight would give you more time for wineries, long lunches and exploring Richmond.

For most visitors following this itinerary, I’d stay in Hobart and visit Richmond as a day trip.

If you would like to consider staying overnight in this picturesque little town. Here are some of the options I have found while researching Richmond accommodation.

• The Richmond Arms Hotel – traditional pub-style accommodation
• The Mill House Cottage – highly rated bed & breakfast right near the Richmond Bridge
• Richmond Barracks – self-contained cottages right in the centre of Richmond, originally used as housing for colonial officers. One cottage is two-bedroom, so great for a family.
• Richmond Cabin and Tourist Park – caravan and camping grounds with some self-contained cabins.

A Suggested Hobart to Richmond Day Trip Itinerary

There’s enough around Richmond to easily overfill your day. I’d choose a few favourites rather than trying to see everything.

• Morning: Leave Hobart and visit Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, or drive directly to Richmond if wildlife isn’t a priority.
• Late morning: Explore Richmond on foot. See Richmond Bridge and St John’s Church, then choose Richmond Gaol, Old Hobart Town or the Pooseum.
• Lunch: Eat in Richmond or book lunch at a Coal River Valley winery.
• Afternoon: Visit one or two wineries. Puddleduck would be my first choice based on our experience.
• On the way back: Stop at Coal River Farm or Wicked Cheese for some local produce.

Swap things around depending on opening hours, bookings and what interests you most.

Tips for Your Richmond Day Trip

• Allow a full day if you want to explore beyond Richmond itself.
• Don’t try to do everything. Choose the stops that interest you most.
• Book ahead for winery lunches and tastings where required, particularly on weekends.
• Have a designated driver if you’re wine tasting. A private driver worked really well for our group of six.
• Wear comfortable shoes for exploring Richmond on foot.
• Check current opening hours before you go, particularly for smaller attractions and cellar doors.
• Take a jacket. Tasmanian weather can change quickly.

Is a Day Trip from Hobart to Richmond Worth It?

Absolutely. Richmond is close enough to Hobart to be an easy day trip, while the surrounding Coal River Valley adds wildlife, wine and some excellent local produce.

I enjoyed exploring Richmond’s historic sights, but some of the best parts of our day were the stops along the way – particularly our relaxed tasting at Puddleduck and trying the cheese and chocolate at Coal River Farm.

Choose the Richmond attractions that interest you, add a couple of stops around the Coal River Valley and don’t rush.

For such a short drive from Hobart, Richmond makes for a surprisingly varied day out.

I hope you enjoy your day trip to Richmond Tasmania
Click here to read my other Tasmania posts
Visiting MONA, Tasmania – a Review for the Artistically Challenged
A Port Arthur Day Trip from Hobart, Tasmania
Finding the Best Hobart Street Art

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