Richmond Gaol Historic Site


The northern wing of the remarkably well-preserved jail was built in 1825, five years before the penitentiary at Port Arthur, making it Australia's oldest jail (or, rather, gaol). Built to house 60, the jail soon had 100 inmates crammed in here, including at one stage the notorious bushranger Martin Cash. Like Port Arthur, fascinating historic insights abound, but the mood is pretty sombre.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Courthouse

0.1 MILES

Richmond's 1825 courthouse, on the main street, functioned more recently (until 1993) as the local council chambers.

2. St Luke’s Church of England

0.13 MILES

St Luke's Church of England (1834), down a side street off the main drag, has an impressively castellated tower (and excellent organ).

3. Post Office

0.17 MILES

Richmond's stately old post office (1826) is now a frilly gift shop.

4. Richmond Bridge

0.19 MILES

This stately and shapely sandstone bridge, with its four arches, is the town’s proud centrepiece. The oldest road bridge in Australia, it was built by…

6. Pooseum

0.27 MILES

This new science museum takes its scat seriously, with interactive displays on animal poo, from beaches made up entirely of parrotfish poo, to the work of…

7. Oak Lodge

0.3 MILES

One of Richmond’s oldest homes (c 1831), Oak Lodge is now owned by the National Trust and operated by the Coal River Historic Society. Inside is a museum…