Historic Richmond Bridge and its surrounds encapsulate Tasmania’s historic beauty and our nation’s convict roots.

Australia’s most recognisable and photographed convict-built bridge, historic Richmond Bridge in Southern Tasmania, has been placed on the National Heritage List.

For many Australians, Historic Richmond Bridge and its surrounds encapsulate Tasmania’s historic beauty and our nation’s convict roots.

The sandstone arches of the Richmond Bridge, set against the hills of the Coal River Valley, have straddled Tasmania's Coal River since their completion in 1825. Built by convict labour in its picturesque setting and framing views of one of Richmond township's historic churches, the Richmond Bridge has long inspired artists, tourists and lovers of beautiful places.

Historic Richmond Bridge

The bridge itself has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of its rarity as the earliest Australian large stone arch bridge and because it has survived with few significant changes since it was first constructed.

Richmond Stone Arch Bridge

It is widely recognised across the nation featuring in numerous publications, tourist and historic literature and in the work of major Australian artists. Images of Richmond Bridge have also appeared on postage stamps. The fame of the bridge has magnified the status of Richmond far beyond its size and population. The bridge and its surrounds draw almost two hundred thousand visitors annually to Richmond to experience the idyllic setting with its connections to the beauty of a past era.

Australia’s oldest bridge, is said to be haunted by the ghost of George Grover, a flagellator supposedly thrown off the bridge by the convicts he tortured during its construction. Grover was transported to Van Diemen’s Land in 1825 for stealing and by 1829 records show him as the Flagellator at Richmond. His death in early March 1832 resulted in an inquest concluding that he had laid down whilst drunk and “fallen or was pushed” from the parapet of the bridge, 27 feet in height.” Grover’s ghost is said to appear on the bridge at certain times”.

The ghost of a large black and white dog, sometimes called ‘Grover’s Dog’, is also seen on the bridge. One lady reports it appearing at her side on several occasions as she walked the bridge at night. It would walk alongside her from one end to the other, and then disappear as quickly as it had come.

Have a look at our holiday to Tasmania where we drive across the Historic Richmond Bridge as part of our tour.

Historic Richmond Bridge