Archive for the ‘Coal River Valley’ Category

Raspberries from Richmond TASMANIA…
as distinct from the towns of the same name around the rest of the world.

While I was unpacking groceries this morning, I remembered buying raspberries on a lunch tour to historic Richmond in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley region.  I checked my catalogues, and sure enough:  I took photos of them.  (I know, I’m obsessed.  I take photos of everything!).  Anyway, thought you might like to see them…

Fresh raspberries from Richmond Tasmania

Richmond Tasmania… Full of Surprises

The raspberries were a surprise find, actually.  I was wandering along the main shopping strip of the Richmond village, and there they were!  A young man was sitting under a shady tree and he had dozens of containers arranged on trays.  I bought two punnets, but when I tasted them, I was sorry not to have bought more.

Raspberries for sale in the main street of Richmond TAS

The original plan was to turn the raspberries into ice-cream, but so many were eaten fresh from the container, there wasn’t enough left.  I managed to save just enough to serve with pancakes on Sunday morning, doused with maple syrup.  Luckily the kids sampled the Tasmanian-made Valhalla ice-cream and raspberry sorbet from Sweets and Treats (the lolly shop) in Richmond, so everyone was happy.

Raspberry sorbet & Tasmanian made Valhalla ice cream

Raspberries, Lollies and Ice-creams?  Sweet!

The lolly shop is one of those old-fashioned types, with rows and rows of jars.  Bright and pretty, filled with all manner of toffees and jubes and jellies.  Some are wrapped, some are plain; some are boiled sweets and some are chewy.  There’s chocolates and mints and novelty knick-knacks.  And it’s a very popular place, judging by the amount of people squeezed along the counter.

Sweets and Treats lolly shop, Richmond Tasmania

Our group didn’t really need too many lollies, though (not that NEED ever comes into it).  We’d just eaten lunch at a lovely restaurant called Ashmore on Bridge Street – which was also filled to the brim during a sunny Tasmanian weekend.  Richmond is so close to Hobart, it’s a regular on the day-trip radar for tourists and locals.

Lunch tour: Ashmore on Bridge Street, Richmond Tasmania

Lunch Tour in Richmond Tas

A trip to the ladies room while dining at Ashmore’s is a little quirky.  The wait staff direct you out the front door, down the side driveway and out the back of the shop next door… to the dunny!!  I was a little apprehensive as I made my approach, to say the least.  But the look of the dunny from the outside doesn’t do justice to the standard of the bathroom, really.

The dunny! Maybe a unique experience in Richmond, Tasmania?

A Richmond lunch tour can be enhanced by some extra activities…

• tastings from the Tasmanian wineries in the area
• a safari bus tour at ZooDoo Wildlife Park
• tours of the heritage buildings, churches and bridges
• the many other attractions in Richmond Tas

For those in a hurry to travel Tasmania on a fleeting holiday, Richmond in the Coal River Valley can be incorporated in a driving tour to the Port Arthur Convict Settlement on the Tasman Peninsula from Hobart.

But I’d suggest making Richmond a Tasmanian destination all on its own.

Map: Richmond Tasmania…

Looking for a day trip from Hobart, Tasmania?  Richmond might be just the place for you!

With two junior researchers in tow, we paid a visit to this charming village in the Coal River Valley and found enough things to do to please everyone.

Promoting a convict heritage... Richmond, Tasmania

Be Amazed by Tasmania: Richmond

First on the agenda in Richmond was the town’s maze (keeping the juniors happy right from the outset).  With mobile phone on hand in case of emergencies, the kids tackled the two wooden structures with gusto.

One of the mazes in Tasmania: Richmond (Photo by J. Horne)

They emerged unscathed; smiling and laughing even!  The maze has a tearoom attached, with customers having the option of a casual lunch on the front lawn.

Garden at the Maze and Tearooms in Richmond, Tasmania

Coal River Valley: Food, Wine… and Shops!

While the youngsters were occupied, we did a little browsing in the main street.  The Coal River Valley region is known for fine wineries, and also produces some of Tasmania’s fresh produce (like berries).  Judging by the amount of restaurants and cafes in Richmond, visitors definitely come here to sample the goods!

Tassie souvenirs, anyone? Shop in style, Richmond's main street

The other shopping choices range from high-end art galleries to the usual holiday souvenirs of Tasmania.  Richmond shops themselves also reflect a variety of architecture.  Some cute, funky and colourful; others obviously more heritage.

One of the funky Tasmanian shops in Richmond, Coal River Valley

History & Tours from the Village Green

Back together, the family debated options for walks, tours and activities.  While some of us favoured the possible educational benefits of the convict-era Richmond Gaol…

History in Tasmania: Richmond has it's own convict past on show

the kids, as usual, had their own ideas.  Fitting of the Richmond township, a carriage drawn by two majestic draught horses was a more popular choice.  Rides cost $5 and depart from the village green.

Ride around Richmond in a cart drawn by draught horses

Richmond: village tours through the Tasmanian streets

Quirks of Tasmania: Richmond Chess

Giant chess sets are something we’ve noticed before in Tasmania.  In Richmond, you wheel out the pieces in a shopping trolley and play in the community native garden.

Native plants of Tasmania in Richmond's community garden

So…  there’s some of the highlights from our day.

Of course we selected one of the Coal River Valley restaurants for our own lunch and decided we’d be crazy not to visit some of the other Richmond attractions (like the model village) another time.

Tasmania: Richmond for restaurants, history, tours and attractions

Living or travelling in Tasmania
Richmond should be highlighted on the maps!

Map Richmond Tasmania…

Want to visit some Tasmanian wineries?  A good idea, with only one problem:  where to start!  We decided to combine a family visit to Richmond in the Coal River Valley, with a little adult time at a cellar door.  We bought ice-creams to keep the kids happy, and ventured to Pooley Wines on the outskirts of town.

Cellar door sales at Tasmanian wineries near Richmond

Tasmanian Wineries – Friendly Family Welcome

One of the many Tasmanian wineries or vineyards on the Coal River Valley wine route, Pooley Wines has a magnificent Georgian property on a rise overlooking the vines.  On our first attempt, we rudely interrupted the staff’s late lunch.  With a promise to return in half an hour, we left to visit more of the sights of Richmond.

They seemed a bit surprised to see us when we did actually return!  But the staff (who turned out to be owner John Pooley, his daughter Anna and her fiance Justin) gave us the warmest welcome and were an absolute delight to meet.

Belmont Lodge, the beautiful Goergian homestead of Pooley Wines

Pooley Wines – Young Winemaker of the Year

As a proud Dad, John was quick to introduce daughter Anna Pooley as the Young Winemaker of the Year.  Although now based in Adelaide and working for the Fosters Group, Anna still has a close connection with Tasmania.  Obviously the family vineyard is a strong bond, but she also has a passion for using grapes sourced from Tasmanian wineries in her award-winning wines.

Tasmanian wineries: grape vineyards of Pooley Wines, Richmond

During the tasting session, we chatted about Justin’s own work as a winemaker in Italy, while John joked about setting his soon-to-be-son-in-law to work; to help pay for the wedding.  Due to be married the weekend following our visit, there was talk about using the family Porsche as a wedding car, and having the reception at the vineyard.

As weddings go, owning Pooley Wines, from the premier Tasmanian wineries region near Hobart would have to be a huge advantage in the planning stakes!

Tasmanian wineries in the Coal River Valley near Richmond

Richmond  – Wine Tasting Experience

When the kids finished their treats, they were occupied by a gorgeous cat named Porsche.  I’ve seen plenty of cellar door dogs, but never a cellar door cat!  And certainly not a cat as friendly as this one.  Her namesake was parked outside, to add further excitement to the visit.

Tasmanian wineries have all sorts of added attractions!

A tasting at the cellar door of Pooley Wines costs $5-00 (which is refunded if you make any purchases).  Which of course we did.  While being very impressed with pretty much everything we tried, we chose bottles of 2007 Pinot Noir and 2010 Late Harvest Riesling to take home.

Selection from cellar door tasting at Pooley Wines, Richmond

I would have loved to stay chatting longer, but the old sandstone stables at the Belmont Lodge cellar door were becoming jam-packed with tasters, and we needed to make room for other wine tourists.  One couple even had a motor-home, so they had lots of room for souvenir bottles of Tasmanian wine!

Tasmanian Wineries – Next on the Agenda

Another nearby cellar door (Puddleduck Vineyard) has been recommended to us by Kerry of Visit Vineyards.  And we have a friend who works at Frogmore Creek Winery which is also near Richmond.   So we’ll definitely visit other Tasmanian wineries, vineyards and cellar doors and we’ll be returning to Pooley Wines on our next trip to Richmond and the Coal River Valley wine route.

Map: Pooley Wines Richmond Tasmania…

The Tasmanian Safari Bus Tour belongs to the ZooDoo Wildlife Park, which is 6km from the historical township of Richmond, Tasmania.  Forget historical; more like hysterical when you land at this attraction!

ZooDoo Wildlife Park: Safari Bus Tour

Before we get to the Safari Bus Tour, we must admit, the wildlife park does look a little tired (just like the Tasmanian Devil pictured below!).  Several exhibits are bare, including the miniature pony-racing arena.  And for the $56 family ticket, adults would probably expect the weeds to be removed and all the rides to be in fully functioning order.

This Tasmanian Devil takes a well-earned rest at ZooDoo

That said, I can appreciate the difficulties, especially after three years of drought and the introduction of exotic animals, like tigers and lions, to a zoo in Tasmania.  Devils, koalas and possums don’t eat that much compared to a 250kg cat!!

One of the big cats at the ZooDoo Wildlife Park

And kids don’t care one iota about weeds.  They can share their time between the mini merry-go-round, the sagging jumping castle, the caged animals and those roaming in the paddocks.

Five times must be enough, surely!

The ZooDoo Highlight: the Safari Bus Tour

After a picnic lunch in the grounds (I had my own, but they do have a cafeteria), I joined the queue for the safari bus tour.  The bus makes its run several times daily, so you can schedule your trip between lion-feeding shows.

One thing I would recommend to the managers of ZooDoo Wildlife Park:  get some bus-station seating.  The wait for the Safari Bus Tour could be a long one on a busy day.

These kids have all their fingers BEFORE the Safari Bus Tour!

The gruff instructions from the driver include the order to hold tightly to the bag of chaff you are given.  “Any lost bags will result in a $50 littering fine”, he said.  Turns out, that’s a huge joke.  Have you ever tried to keep your grip on a paper bag when a ravenous emu is grabbing at it with its pointy beak?  If you survive the emu-feeding, you are challenged by the ostriches, and then the camels on the home straight.

Safari Bus Tour: the emu grabs the food and the bag!

A mid-tour dismount to pat goats and horses leaves you wondering if you should…

• hold your handbag tightly to your chest
• leave it unguarded on the safari bus, or
• just throw it out and stand back!

This camel has a serious case of spinach in his teeth!

Where’s that Calm Koala?

Honestly, it’s the kind of experience that evokes screams of laughter from some, and terror from others.  Thankfully, I returned with all fingers intact and only a little camel dribble in my hair.  Needing something a little more sedate I returned to the peaceful, sleepy koala.

The koala is a nice change of pace!

For a fee, you can have your photo taken with the koala or a wombat, or even have your image merged with that of a tiger.  There are plenty of opportunities to take your own photos, especially if you buy a bag of chaff – attract a crowd of animals in one shake.  International tourists can fill their albums with snaps of Australian wildlife.

Blake feeds his new friend: much calmer than the emus!

Richmond, Tasmania is only a hop, skip and a jump from Hobart.  With a full day available you can enjoy more than just the zoo, only one of many attractions in the Coal River Valley.

So… are you brave enough for the safari bus tour?

Click here for more images from ZooDoo Wildlife Park,
home of the safari bus tour in Richmond Tasmania.

Map: ZooDoo Wildlife Park Richmond Tasmania…