• About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • List Stock
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
MARKETPLACE
  • Latest News
  • Features
    • Sustainability
    • Diversity
    • Community Support
    • Technology Update
    • Traffic Management and Safety
  • Contracts and tenders awarded
  • Regions
    • ACT
    • Australia
    • New South Wales
    • Northern Territory
    • Queensland
    • South Australia
    • Tasmania
    • Victoria
    • Western Australia
  • Events
  • Resources
No Results
View All Results
  • Latest News
  • Features
    • Sustainability
    • Diversity
    • Community Support
    • Technology Update
    • Traffic Management and Safety
  • Contracts and tenders awarded
  • Regions
    • ACT
    • Australia
    • New South Wales
    • Northern Territory
    • Queensland
    • South Australia
    • Tasmania
    • Victoria
    • Western Australia
  • Events
  • Resources
No Results
View All Results
Home

Flashback: Tasmania’s Richmond Bridge

by Staff Writer
September 2, 2015
in Bridges, Latest News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Tasmania’s Richmond Bridge is a remarkably unchanged since its construction in the 1820s and is a testament to Australia’s convict heritage.
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Tasmania’s Richmond Bridge is a remarkably unchanged since its construction in the 1820s and is a testament to Australia’s convict heritage.Australia’s surviving colonial-age civil structures are a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation of the nation’s early labourers, but not all of them were willing participants. Many roads, bridges and buildings were constructed by a workforce of criminals under the watchful eyes of harsh guards and soldiers.

Convicts were reluctant workers, who would often carve their names into the materials used to build structures. In some cases, convicts would even meddle with the construction process, improperly placing stone blocks, in protest of the manual labour being forced upon then.

Surprisingly, there is no evidence of 1800s graffiti or tampering on Tasmania’s Richmond Bridge. “I think there was probably a bit of pride for the convicts building it,” says historian Dianne Snowden. “The way it was constructed was really thoughtful and considered, and the fact it’s lasted so long is a testament to that.”

Before 1823, there was no real access from the Coal River Valley to the east coast and the Tasman Peninsula. Carts and cattle could cross the river at a ford south of where the bridge now stands, but regular flooding prevented access during spring and winter.

Then-Royal Commissioner John Thomas Bigge recognised the need for a bridge when he visited the area in 1820 as part of his commission of inquiry on agriculture and trade. The solution was to build a substantial stone bridge for people and carts alike to cross the river. “Because of the bridge, the east coast and Tasman Peninsula were opened up to road transport… It was fairly significant in those times,” says Dr. Snowden.

Construction of the bridge began in 1823 under the supervision of Major Thomas Bell. Dr. Snowden says the project’s Superintendent of Stonemasons, William Wilson, is often credited with the superior design of the bridge.

The bridge was constructed out of locally sourced sandstone from the surrounding hills. Convicts had to cut the sandstone before delivering it to the site by handcart. Workers then placed the blocks using rough ashlar work. The design of the bridge includes six spans and four large semi-circular arches, with a smaller arch on each side of the riverbank. Dr. Snowden says that there’s no certainty on how deep the foundations go.

In 1825, after approximately 17 months of construction, Richmond Bridge (originally named Bigge’s Bridge) was complete. Parapets were added to the bridge in 1835.

Dr. Snowden explains that over the years, the bridge has had minimal repairs and realignment work. Today, it is the oldest bridge in Tasmania and the oldest still in use in Australia.

Tasmania’s Richmond Bridge was included on the National Heritage List in 2005 and has become a major tourist drawcard. “It’s probably one of the most photographed structures in Australia,” says Dr. Snowden. “It’s really quite thoughtfully constructed and to last all that time with minimal repairs and realignment is really amazing.”

Premium Ad
20

POA

CATERPILLAR AP-600

  • » Listing Type: Used
Location marker The shape of a location marker

East Wagga Wagga, NSW

02 8999 3786
MORE DETAILS
18

$192,500

2017 CATERPILLAR AP355FLRC

  • » Listing Type: Used
Location marker The shape of a location marker

Acacia Ridge, QLD

07 3171 1725
MORE DETAILS
7

$104,500

2011 CATERPILLAR AP-300

  • » Listing Type: Used
Location marker The shape of a location marker

South Guildford, WA

08 6500 0978
MORE DETAILS
23

$165,000

2017 CATERPILLAR AP300FLRC

  • » Listing Type: Used
Location marker The shape of a location marker

Acacia Ridge, QLD

07 3171 1725
MORE DETAILS
18

POA

CATERPILLAR AP500E

  • » Listing Type: Used
Location marker The shape of a location marker

Moorebank, NSW

02 6171 3138
MORE DETAILS
12

$202,400

2011 DYNAPAC F1000W

  • » Listing Type: Used
  • » Category: Tyred
  • » Max paving width - mm: 7,925
Location marker The shape of a location marker

Acacia Ridge, QLD

07 3073 8184
MORE DETAILS
13

$507,650

2011 TEREX CR452RX

  • » Listing Type: Used
  • » Category: Tyred
  • » Max paving width - mm: 8,500
Location marker The shape of a location marker

Acacia Ridge, QLD

07 3073 8184
MORE DETAILS
6

$304,220

2008 TEREX CR662RM

  • » Listing Type: Used
  • » Category: Crawler
Location marker The shape of a location marker

Acacia Ridge, QLD

07 3073 8184
MORE DETAILS
1

$15,000

BLAW-KNOX BK 170

  • » Listing Type: Used
  • » Category: Tyred
  • » Max paving width - mm: 1,370
Location marker The shape of a location marker

Eltham, VIC

03 8373 7151
MORE DETAILS
24

$270,435

LEEBOY PF161B

  • » Listing Type: Used
  • » Category: Tyred
  • » Max paving width - mm: 3,200
Location marker The shape of a location marker

Acacia Ridge, QLD

07 3073 8184
MORE DETAILS
8

$105,000

2007 BLAW-KNOX PF150

  • » Listing Type: Used
  • » Category: Tyred
Location marker The shape of a location marker

Acacia Ridge, QLD

07 3073 8184
MORE DETAILS
9

$159,150

LEEBOY 5000 PATH MASTER PAVER

  • » Listing Type: New
  • » Category: Crawler
  • » Max paving width - mm: 2,720
Location marker The shape of a location marker

Acacia Ridge, QLD

07 3073 8184
MORE DETAILS

Related Posts

West Gate Tunnel Project

A summary of the West Gate Tunnel Project’s works to date

by Jennifer Pittorino
July 17, 2025

The Victorian Government has made significant progress on construction of the West Gate Tunnel Project this year, with work starting...

Breadalbane

Transport for NSW safety upgrades for Hume Highway at Breadalbane

by Jennifer Pittorino
July 17, 2025

More than $3.5 million worth of safety improvements are on the way for the Hume Highway at Breadalbane in New...

Brisbane’s Pullman Hotel is set to host an awards night recognising the inspiring achievements of women in construction. Images: John Deere.

John Deere: Recognising remarkability

by Tom O'Keane
July 17, 2025

John Deere is set to sponsor the Awesome Women in Construction (AWIC) Awards, which celebrates the achievements of women working...

Join our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.
Catering to Australia’s civil and road construction industry, Roads & Infrastructure Magazine is a key source for industry decision-makers looking to keep up to date with important issues, developments, projects and innovations shaping the industry today.

Subscribe to our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

About Roads And Infrastructure

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Latest Magazine
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Collection Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics

  • Latest News
  • Contracts and tenders awarded
  • Project Report
  • Events
  • Special Features

Our TraderAds Network

  • Arbor Age
  • Australian Car Mechanic
  • Australian Mining
  • Australian Resources & Investment
  • Big Rigs
  • Bulk Handling Review
  • Bus News
  • Cranes & Lifting
  • Earthmoving Equipment Magazine
  • EcoGeneration
  • Energy Today
  • Food & Beverage
  • Fully Loaded
  • Global Trailer
  • Inside Construction
  • Inside Waste
  • Inside Water
  • Landscape Contractor Magazine
  • Manufacturers' Monthly
  • MHD Supply Chain
  • National Collision Repairer
  • OwnerDriver
  • Power Torque
  • Prime Mover Magazine
  • Quarry
  • Roads Online
  • Rail Express
  • Safe To Work
  • The Australian Pipeliner
  • Trade Earthmovers
  • Trade Farm Machinery
  • Trade Plant Equipment
  • Trade Trucks
  • Trade Unique Cars
  • Tradie Magazine
  • Trailer Magazine
  • Trenchless Australasia
  • Waste Management Review

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited

No Results
View All Results
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE
MARKETPLACE
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Contracts and tenders awarded
    • Project Report
  • Features
    • Sustainability
    • Diversity
    • Community Support
    • Technology Update
    • Traffic Management and Safety
  • Events
  • Regions
    • ACT
    • Australia
    • New South Wales
    • Northern Territory
    • Queensland
    • South Australia
    • Tasmania
    • Victoria
    • Western Australia
  • Latest Magazine
  • Resources
  • Marketplace
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • List Stock

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited