Richmond Gaol

Richmond Gaol is the oldest intact gaol in Australia, predating the establishment of the penal colony at Port Arthur. Built during the early 19th century, the site offers a chance to explore Tasmania’s convict past and gain insights into the harsh realities of penal life.

Construction of Richmond Gaol began in 1825, during a period when Tasmania (then Van Diemen’s Land) was a penal colony. Convict labour played a significant role in its development. Initially built to house local convicts and later used to house those en route to Port Arthur, the gaol expanded over the years to include solitary cells, a cookhouse and quarters for guards.

The gaol served as a holding facility for convicts awaiting assignment to public works or private service. It also detained offenders sentenced to secondary punishment, such as those who escaped or reoffended.

The gaol’s operations continued until the 1920s, after which it fell into disuse. Preservation efforts began in the mid-20th century, and the site now operates as a museum. Its historical significance lies in its role as a window into Tasmania’s convict era and broader colonial history.

What to see at Richmond Gaol

Richmond Gaol retains much of its original structure, offering visitors an authentic experience of a 19th-century penal facility. Key areas to explore include:

The original cells
These small, dimly lit spaces housed convicts in conditions designed to enforce discipline. The heavy wooden doors and iron bars remain intact.

Solitary confinement cells
Used for punishment, these dark, enclosed rooms highlight the severe measures imposed on prisoners.

The flogging yard
This outdoor area served as a space for additional punishment dealt out to prisoners.

The cookhouse
Equipped with a large hearth, this space illustrates how meals were prepared for inmates and guards.

You can also see a scale model of the gaol as well as artefacts, photos and interpretative panels detailing daily life, punishments and the broader convict system.

Visiting Richmond Gaol

Richmond Gaol is in the centre of Richmond, just one block back from the main street. Its central location means that it is close to most other points of interest in Richmond.

The gaol is open daily throughout the year and admission costs $12.

Visitor facilities include a gift shop and its close proximity to the centre of Richmond means that there are plenty of places to eat and drink nearby.

It’s a relatively small attraction and, while some people have spent years here, you shouldn’t need to allow any longer than an hour for your visit.

37 Bathurst Street, Richmond TAS 7025
Bus 725, 726 (stop: Richmond Bus Station)
Website richmondgaol.com.au
Admission $12, children $6
Open 9am–5pm daily