Richmond Bridge

Richmond Bridge is a lasting symbol of Tasmania's convict heritage. The sandstone arches of Australia's oldest known large stone arch bridge have spanned Tasmania's Coal River since its completion in 1825. Built by convict labour, the Richmond Bridge reminds us of the forced migration that contributed to the development of Australian society. Today visitors flock to see the popular attraction, which survives with few significant changes. Tasmania, originally known as Van Diemen's Land, was established in 1803 as a British penal colony. Convicts were forced to migrate to Tasmania as the British Government's 'solution' to the issue of serious overcrowding in their prison system. Over the next 50 years, 73,500 convicts were transported to Tasmania for crimes ranging from minor misdemeanours to political activities. Convicts skills and hard labour were utilised to build what would become the infrastructure of Australian society.