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RICHMOND
A weekend getaway
Traveling with kids will always dictate where you decide to spend your holidays. No use getting away from it all to find the kids are still glued to their screens! But family holidays are also for the grown-ups and finding somewhere affordable that offers something to keep everyone happy - even those surly teenagers - might seem unlikely, if not impossible. That is, until you realise that Richmond, Tasmania is only a one-hour flight from Melbourne and has museums, mazes, model villages, golf courses, ice creameries, lolly shops, craft and antique shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes, wineries, berry farms, chocolate makers, cheese makers, and more history than you can poke a stick at. Your long weekend away could easily become a week-long adventure in one of the most charming and beautiful villages in Australia.
Are we there yet?
Located in the picturesque Coal River Valley, on the lands of the Mumirimina people of the Oyster Bay nation, the township of Richmond was founded in 1824. It is home to some of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Australia. The town's beautiful sandstone buildings have been carefully preserved and maintained over the years. The rich,arable hills that made the Coal River Valley one of Australia’s first food bowls are now patchworked with both new and established vineyards producing some of the best sparkling, pinot noir and riesling to be found anywhere in the world.
What’s for lunch?
With the kids in tow, it is hard to resist a visit to Puddleduck Vineyard. They have a unique reverse BYO policy where you get to bring the picnic but buy your drinks. Don’t worry if you haven’t stocked up on any local goodies yet. Puddleduck has a delicious range of treats and snacks as well as their award-winning wine. And as the name might suggest, Puddleduck is also the home to lots of well-fed ducks paddling on the lake, Morrison - the giant vine woven mascot, and the cutest “everything ducky” gift shop ever. There is nothing like produce fresh from the garden, and depending on the time of year, Littlewood Berry Farm offers pick your own strawberries, as well as ice creams and other delicious berry treats. Another ‘something for the whole family’ stop is at Everyman and his Dog VIneyard, also home to Federation Artisan Chocolates, where you can watch the entire process of making chocolate from bean to bar. Wattlebanks Cafe and Providore is the local’s favourite cafe and when in Rome... Take a seat on the sunny lawn, or inside the cosy cafe and enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch. Just on the outskirts of the village, is Pooley Wines, Australia’s 2023 Winery of the Year, with views across to the historic Prospect House. They are open daily, and do a great line in wood-fired pizzas, local cheeses and charcuterie boards.
No time to be bored
When the family is ready for something a little more adventurous, ZooDoo Zoo is the perfect place to enjoy an up close and personal experience with a range of furry, stripy, scaly or spotty friends. Check out the range of special activities on their website and maybe book in the kids to be a zoo-keeper for the day! If you are ready to be grossed out, in an educational way, a trip to the Pooseum - the only museum in the world dedicated to defecation - is not to be missed. At Amaze Richmond, you can tell the kids to get lost – literally! It’s a great place to relax with something from the cafe, while they wear themselves out running around the two mazes.
A present for Grandma?
Retail therapy in Richmond will not disappoint. The young, and the young at heart, might spend hours in the Puzzle Shop - specialising in the most intriguing games and puzzles – while others might prefer to poke around the many antique and bric-a-brac shops looking for a special treasure. For the perpetually festive, the Christmas Shop is open all year round. And no trip to Richmond is ever complete without a visit to Sweets and Treats lolly shop. If you are in Richmond over the weekend, browse the Sunday Market in the Richmond Town Hall where you will find artisans from across Southern Tasmania selling their wares.
Together time
A walk around the charming streets and down to the historic bridge will give you plenty of memory-making photo opportunities. You and your family will treasure your weekend in Richmond for a life-time.
RICHMOND ITINERARY
Uncover the hidden treasures that await in the vibrant Coal River Valley of Tasmania. Richmond, a charming regional hub just a short drive from Hobart, serves as your gateway to a world of culinary delights, family-friendly activities, and cultural experiences.
For families seeking adventure, the Coal River Valley offers a plethora of activities to delight both young and old. Lose yourself in the twists and turns of charming mazes, or get up close and personal with fascinating creatures at local zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. These immersive experiences promise unforgettable memories for the whole family to cherish.
But perhaps the true gem of the Coal River Valley is its sense of community and inclusivity. Here your family will be welcomed with open arms and treated to a service culture that makes everyone feel right at home. Whether you're sampling the valley's famed oysters, figs and berries, cheese or wine, enjoying a cheeky sweet treat, or delving into its rich convict history, you'll find yourself embraced by a community that is as passionate about its diversity as it is about its heritage.
So come, experience the natural beauty of the Coal River Valley, where every moment is infused with warmth, hospitality, and the irresistible allure of Tasmania's finest offerings.
DAY ONE: Welcome to the Coal River Valley
Puddleduck Vineyard - Wicked Cheese Company - Richmond Gaol - Walker and Walker - Richmond Botanicals - Richmond Arms Hotel
Ensure you grab a copy of the Coal River Valley visitor guide and map at the airport before you collect your rental car! Within minutes, you will be on Richmond Road and entering the plentiful Coal River Valley, a world renowned wine region.
Break the cellar door seal with a visit to Puddleduck Vineyard, renowned for its family friendly vibe, wine tastings and everything ducky duck shop. Enjoy a tasting paddle from their splendid range of cool-climate wine (be sure to try the Bubbleduck Sparkling, Pinot Noir and a verjuice for the kids!) and enjoy unwinding while the kids play in the playground and enjoy feeding the ducks. Don’t forget to take a selfie with Morrison the giant vinewoven duck!
Back on the road, but for only the shortest of distances, make sure you turn off to visit Wicked Cheese Company. Head inside to sample delicious cheeses and watch them being made in front of you. While you are there, grab a home-made ice-cream for the kids (and kids at heart). Browse through Wicked’s extensive providore and why not stock up for a picnic along the way?
On arrival to Richmond, check into your accommodation at the Richmond Arms Hotel, centrally located in the heart of the village, where everything is within walking distance, including the local pharmacy, doctor, and IGA.
Perhaps you might like to take a 5-minute walk from your accommodation and dive into Tasmania's convict history with a self-guided tour of the Richmond Gaol, offering a fascinating journey back in time. Open daily, the Gaol has an Eye Spy Challenge to find all the hidden historic items to keep the kids entertained, whilst also learning about the past. Be sure to take some photos of the elegant Georgian architecture on your walk back to your accommodation. You will soon realise that the town is full of small businesses run by passionate people who love to proudly showcase not just the history of the valley, but who also make and sell extraordinary things. Do not miss Walker and Walker, offering an eclectic mix of old and new. Be guided by the alluring scents drifting from Richmond Botanicals. Inside you will find handmade products, beautifully displayed within their 180-year-old horse stables that have been lovingly restored to showcase the original cobblestones.
After a big day of travelling, relax back at the Richmond Arms Hotel while you enjoy a local wine or boutique beer, a yarn with the locals in the beer garden and a traditional pub meal (including a kids menu and some colouring in), we think it’s the perfect way to finish your first day.
DAY TWO: Family fun
Ashmore on Bridge Street - Richmond Bridge - Richmond Bakery - Amaze Richmond - Pooseum - Sweets and Treats
Start the day with breakfast at local café Ashmore on Bridge Street. They open from 8:30 am- so no need to rush! Enjoy a hearty breakfast then grab a takeaway coffee to enjoy on your walk to the Richmond Bridge.
Richmond is home to Australia’s oldest bridge. Constructed in 1823 by convict labour, it is still in use today and provides access to the neighbouring township of Sorell, the East Coast and Port Arthur.
Stop off at the Richmond Bakery to grab some duck food (yes more ducks!!) on the way. Position yourself on the water’s edge platform for the perfect family selfie in front of the imposing bridge behind. Be sure to slow down, take heaps of photos of the kids to share with friends and family and create everlasting memories!
Next stop – who’s ready to be Amazed?
Approximately 500 meters or a ten-minute stroll from the historic and scenic bridge, you will find yourself at Richmond’s unique and newest attraction AMAZE Richmond. Enjoy the fun of different styles of mazes, including the challenge in the Hedge Maze which is not just finding your way out but discovering all 31 of the native Tasmanian animals hidden throughout the many winding paths. The mazes and the facilities are pram and wheelchair friendly and caters for all ages and abilities and the ticket prices for a family pass (2 Adults, 2 Kids) is currently $60.
We know it is a family fun day, but who said it can't be educational too?
Just across the road from AMAZE Richmond, is the unique and educational Pooseum. The award-winning Pooseum is a quirky science museum, located in the main street of Richmond and is dedicated to all things animal poop. This unique and family-friendly activity is the only one of its kind in Australia. We promise you’ll learn more about poo than you ever thought possible! Entry fees are $54 for a Family (2 Adults and 2 Children).
After all that fresh country air, it's time to refuel at one of the many local cafés and restaurants. Our pick is Wattlebanks Café and Providore where there is both indoor and outdoor seating and the menus are seasonally updated to include a great selection of dishes for both adults and children, with a mix of classics and daily specials.
If the kids have been extra good (or perhaps for a bribe) you could head to Sweets and Treats. Not only will the kids be gobsmacked, but it will also take you for a trip down memory lane. Sweets and Treats has been a Richmond institution for over 30 years. Bursting with all the delights to satisfy the sweet tooth, the shop includes memories from your childhood – and your grandparents, too!
DAY THREE: Richmond & Beyond
ZooDoo Zoo - Every Man and his Dog - Federation Chocolate - Littlewood Berry Farm
After breakfast at Czegs Cafe, checkout and make your way to ZooDoo Zoo, for a fun-filled morning watching the playful antics of some of the 400 native and exotic animals on display. Be sure to check the website to see the feeding schedule and what’s on offer. Before you depart, pay a visit to the gift shop and café and collect your photos of your brave animal encounter! Family Pass (2 Adults 2 Children) $102
Your next stop for the day includes visiting the family-owned Federation Artisan Chocolate and Every Man and his Dog Winery (yes the perfect stop exists with both wine and chocolate and a dog called Jax rolled into one!) We suggest that you book ahead for a truly unique experience where you become the chocolatier! Imagine crafting your own dream chocolate and enjoy a bespoke bar making experience as a family.
Next the wine! Finish with a wine and chocolate pairing – this experience is available for only $35 per person – and grab a bottle (or two) of their handcrafted small batch wines to enjoy back at the room, or to take home as a memento.
After a busy afternoon of indulgence, just a two-minute drive away you will find Littlewood Berry Farm, it might be just the thing you need to finish your last day in the Coal River Valley. Check their Facebook page for opening hours as they are seasonal, if you are in luck pay them a visit as you won’t be disappointed. Finding and picking your own strawberries or trying a homemade and delicious ice cream, will sure keep the kids entertained!
It’s time to wrap up your adventure to Richmond, however we do hope that it won’t be your last!
Perhaps you can plan your next visit to the Coal River Valley to coincide with the CRAVE Harvest Festival (the first weekend in April 2025). Held in Richmond, it is a celebration of the people, places and produce of the Coal River Valley. We look forward to welcoming you all back soon!
