Richmond Gaol
Richmond Gaol
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Richmond Gaol is the oldest fully intact convict Gaol in Australia. It was built 5 years before Port Arthur. It is rare in that it housed both male and female convicts. The cost is $12 per adult $6 per child and $30 per family. Discount for group bookings on request. Ph03 62602127
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Richmond Gaol and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
16 within 5 kms
Attractions
28 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Aussie_2012Melbourne, Australia962 contributionsFascinating insight into convict and military lifeFascinating insight into convict and military life here at this gaol. Entrance is only about $13 per adult and there is a small but well stocked gift shop. The gaol itself is very good with a ton of information to read and the buildings themselves in great shape so you can really see how life would've been like in the era. Definite must see in Richmond. A beautiful park beside it is also a nice place to relax and the Main Street only a minute walk away. Ample parking also available.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 January 2024
- KBofLBLittleborough, United Kingdom553 contributionsA well preserved buildingConsidering that this is Tasmania's oldest gaol it is well preserved. There are helpful information boards in all of the rooms, which help to give a picture of the day to day life of the incarcerated and the staff who lived in. Well worth visiting.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 March 2024
- Skander MSydney, Australia19 contributionsWell worth the tripVisiting Richmond, and particularly Richmond Gaol, is well worth the trip. The gaol itself is small but you can wander through and see everything easily, it is in good condition, and the descriptions are very good. It is easy to get to from the town (5 min walk), highly recommended it.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
656 reviews
Excellent
336
Very good
272
Average
37
Poor
9
Terrible
2
Jason S
Melbourne, Australia2,165 contributions
Jan 2021
This was a real highlight for me while visiting Richmond and there was many great things to see and do around the area.
It’s one of the oldest gaols in the country and I think the only one that hasn’t been altered so Gaol is exactly how it looked in the early to mid 1800”s.
Only $10 entrance and information along the way with recording devices and signage for you to get a good insight to what it would have been like to be a prisoner in that era.
With a gift shop as well it’s a real treat to visit and would highly recommend a visit m.
It’s one of the oldest gaols in the country and I think the only one that hasn’t been altered so Gaol is exactly how it looked in the early to mid 1800”s.
Only $10 entrance and information along the way with recording devices and signage for you to get a good insight to what it would have been like to be a prisoner in that era.
With a gift shop as well it’s a real treat to visit and would highly recommend a visit m.
Written 9 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Jason, thanks for your review. Glad you enjoyed it. Regards Gaoler Dave
Written 21 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dingo_6152
Fremantle, Australia3,327 contributions
May 2022
Located about 100m off the main road (Bridge Road) behind the old courthouse building is Australia's oldest intact convict gaol.
It is a stark sandstone complex, surrounded by open grass. The gaol is open seven days a week between 9am and 5pm. The gaol is a group of small single-storey buildings located around a central courtyard. It is easy to navigate your way around due to its size. Its walls permeate with history - the tiny solitary confinement and punishment cells, the flogging yard, chain gang rooms and cookhouse - give you a reminder of just how harsh convict life actually was.
Apparently one of the cells in the men's block is haunted though I failed to catch any spirits on camera.
It is definitely worth visiting the gaol if you are visiting Richmond.
It is a stark sandstone complex, surrounded by open grass. The gaol is open seven days a week between 9am and 5pm. The gaol is a group of small single-storey buildings located around a central courtyard. It is easy to navigate your way around due to its size. Its walls permeate with history - the tiny solitary confinement and punishment cells, the flogging yard, chain gang rooms and cookhouse - give you a reminder of just how harsh convict life actually was.
Apparently one of the cells in the men's block is haunted though I failed to catch any spirits on camera.
It is definitely worth visiting the gaol if you are visiting Richmond.
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeterLangston
Tamworth, Australia1,057 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We started at the Old Richmond Gaol, where in 1825 a plentiful supply of convict labour was sent to Richmond to first build a gaol as a home for them and the a number of public infrastructure projects. One of those is the outstanding bridge which crosses the Coal River at the north end of the town.
The gaol was originally a one story, single building, with a room for women prisoners and one for men. This was extended owing to overcrowding, until it ended as four buildings flanking a central courtyard. By the completion of the buildings, there were two types of prisoners: convicts and debtors. The latter were low risk prisoners who couldn't pay their bills and their incarceration was a lot lighter that the former.
It was interesting but seems to need a bit of a rethink of how visitors absorb information now. The use of technology in providing commentary for each room for mobile phones would be a good start and more engaging than the speaker system used currently.
Cheap entry price,
The gaol was originally a one story, single building, with a room for women prisoners and one for men. This was extended owing to overcrowding, until it ended as four buildings flanking a central courtyard. By the completion of the buildings, there were two types of prisoners: convicts and debtors. The latter were low risk prisoners who couldn't pay their bills and their incarceration was a lot lighter that the former.
It was interesting but seems to need a bit of a rethink of how visitors absorb information now. The use of technology in providing commentary for each room for mobile phones would be a good start and more engaging than the speaker system used currently.
Cheap entry price,
Written 15 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan L
Bunbury, Australia8,540 contributions
Mar 2022
The Gaol dates to 1825 when construction commenced using convict labour. The self-guided tour pamphlet that we received on admission included fascinating information on the layout and provisions of the original structure also details of the additions in 1833 and 1840. After transportation of convicts ceased in 1853, it became a watch-house and finally ceased operation in 1928. It was registered as a historic site in 1971. Many original items from the period are displayed in the various rooms, the whips, leg irons, handcuffs, etc. Great history and artefacts from a difficult period.
Written 3 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Warren B
Sydney, Australia264 contributions
June 2022
This is a quality museum, showcasing the conditions in which prisoners were kept in the 19th century and also the living conditions for those who ran the prison. It's well set out, with helpful information in each room. A really good adjunct to a viewing of the nearby Bridge which the convicts also built.
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat T
Thornlands, Australia44 contributions
June 2022 • Family
Very interesting piece of history in the beautiful little town of Richmond.
Admission is reasonable and includes a scavenger hunt for the kids which even us adults got quite into.
See buildings and conditions as they were when this Gaol was operating.
Small gift shop provides some interesting novelty souvenirs.
Admission is reasonable and includes a scavenger hunt for the kids which even us adults got quite into.
See buildings and conditions as they were when this Gaol was operating.
Small gift shop provides some interesting novelty souvenirs.
Written 14 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter D
Hervey Bay, Australia1,542 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We were staying in Richmond for a few days, and stopped in here to have a look at the old gaol. The original building was built in 1825 and then added to over the next 15 years. It is not overly large, but nevertheless interesting. The solitary confinement cells give you some idea of what it must have been like to be locked up there. The original oven is still in the cookhouse. Overall worth having a look at. Admission cost is very reasonable.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aussie_2012
Melbourne, Australia962 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Fascinating insight into convict and military life here at this gaol. Entrance is only about $13 per adult and there is a small but well stocked gift shop. The gaol itself is very good with a ton of information to read and the buildings themselves in great shape so you can really see how life would've been like in the era. Definite must see in Richmond. A beautiful park beside it is also a nice place to relax and the Main Street only a minute walk away. Ample parking also available.
Written 8 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrissie
Richmond, Australia26 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Im always about the genuine experience of “life as it really was”., or “what tourists are after”. The Richmond Gaol is the real deal - not reconstructed, not recreated for tourists. The experiences and achievements of Tasmania’s convict ancestors are right there, and are palpable. Thanks for a genuine experience.
Written 23 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrian
Patterson Lakes, Australia211 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We visited mid-week for a piece of early settler history. The gaol is understandably small and therefore the visit is a quick one, but full of interesting information, original features, and even a simulation of the various stages of the gaol build over it’s life. Worth a quick visit.
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi wondering how much per personal for entry on weekdays...??? Thank you..
Also does the pass for the historic places get in to anything in Hobart like this gaol..?? Thank you
Written 17 August 2017
It is $10 for adults and $5 for children and $25 for adults
Written 1 June 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing