Richmond Bridge - Historic Engineering Marker #14 Richmond, Tasmania, Australia
By
Team MavEtJu on 12-Oct-15. Waypoint GA7573
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Virtual |
| Container: | Virtual |
| Coordinates: | S42° 44.035' E147° 26.378' (WGS 84) |
| 55G 535988E 5268638N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 8 m |
| Local Government Area: | Clarence |
/147.439633,-42.733917,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
Richmond Bridge - Historic Engineering Marker #14
Constructed 1823 -1826. In 1820 a Royal Commissioner Mr. John Thomas Bigge was sent from England to report on the state of affairs in the Colony.
Amongst other things he recommended that a bridge be built over the Coal River to enable traffic to proceed to and from the East Coast during times of flood.
Building of the bridge commenced in December 1829 employing convict labour and was completed in January 1826. Originally known as Bigger Bridge the total cost was put at £2,000.
It is now the oldest masonry bridge in Australia still in use.
Contents of the plaque:
This fine example of early colonial bridge engineering was built to provide a reliable all-weather crossing of the coal river. Originally named after commissioner John Brigge. It was constructed by convict labour between December 1823 and January 1825 under the supervision of engineer major Thomas Bell and stonemason William Wilson, using locally quarried freestone. It is the oldest bridge in Australia.
DEDICATED BY THE INSTITUTION/ OF ENGINEERS. AUSTRALIA, 1991.
When logging this virtual, please add a photo of yourself or your GPSr at the plaque.
For more information, please see the nomination PDF at the Heritage Register at the Engineers Australia website: Nomination
Logs
I have been here on.numerous occasions but have never noticed this marker. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. 
Rated: for Overall Experience
Thanks for the HEM virtual.
I've been here many times but never really looked at the marker, so thanks for pointing it out to me.
Out and about solo today picking up a few caches along the way, on my last day of leave - back to work tomorrow.
I've been here many times but never really looked at the marker, so thanks for pointing it out to me.
Out and about solo today picking up a few caches along the way, on my last day of leave - back to work tomorrow.
Even though it was raining i knew i had to find this history marker & get the selfie! So off i ran before my long drive home tftc
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this one today while working in the Richmond area, parked up the street and walked back to grab the required photo of the marker.
TFTC
TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
An almost '2-for-1' GCA cache here while on our journey up to the east coast today. I was nearly muggled at this one by a couple of guys having a chat right in front of the plaque but thankfully they moved on and I was able to grab the 'money shot' at 15:00.
Many thanks Team MavEtJu.
Many thanks Team MavEtJu.
Rated: for Overall Experience
#GA2870 - 11:15; After arriving in Tasmania last Saturday and heading down to Hobart for a few days, the geohoney and I were now headed north for a few days in Launceston. We decided to take the scenic route up the east coast, to avoid the roadworks on the Midlands Highway and to enjoy some nice views and collect a cache or two on the way. Dropped the geohoney in Richmond for some retail therapy and headed off for a couple of the local caches. Parked the geombile and wandered back across the bridge to grab the snap I needed for this cache. A great spot and very popular with the tourists here today. TFTC Team MavEtJu 
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found on our holiday to Hobart. We walked from the town towards the bridge, where we were greeted with beautiful views of the bridge from the path down by the river - the history and scenery, all stunning! Then we had a quick photo with the historic engineering marker and all was good. We also found it quite amazing that the nearby church was the first Roman Catholic church in Australia - there's a lot of firsts in this great town! TFTC Team MavEtJu!
Rated: for Overall Experience
After heading out of Hobart we stopped in at Richmond to see old the "oldest" stuff. Nice to have this bridge recognised by the engineers.
Rated: for Overall Experience
On an overnight trip down to visit Port Arthur and surrounds, stopped in at Richmond and snapped a few photo and took in some knowledge of convict & colonial history, brilliant old bridge.. thanks..!!
Heading home from Hobart we decided to travel through Richmond and grab a couple of caches that had been published since we were there in April. There was a question on a quiz show about the bridge recently which we wouldn't have been able to answer if we hadn't done caches in the area previously.
Thanks, a quick photo between muggles and then we were out of there.
Thanks, a quick photo between muggles and then we were out of there.
Walking over this bridge today and noticed the plaque. Knew straight away it would be a GCA virtual! TFTC!
Cheers,
The Hancock Clan
Cheers,
The Hancock Clan
Lovely old picturesque bridge. Very photogenic. TFTC Team MavEtJu.
Rated: for Overall Experience
We have visited this historic town many times before and have to admit that this is the first time we have actually read the engineering marker on the bridge so thank you for bringing it to our attention. This will be a most interesting series. TFTV
Rated: for Overall Experience
Our first in a long list of engineering markers and an iconic spot to boot. Amazing how a bridge built for horse & carriage is still carrying horseless carriages. Great theme idea Team MavEtJu. We always like a bit of history to go with our caching.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Stopped in Richmond to wandering around...
Love the Richmond Bridge.
Thanks for bring me here and virtual cache.
Love the Richmond Bridge.
Thanks for bring me here and virtual cache.
Rated: for Overall Experience
A few weeks ago we had planned to come to Richmond for a coffee with the GooseandEgg, after grabbing the two other caches that were new to us we headed to the bridge in the increasing rain and got a couple of photos before we got too wet, Then it was off to have a nice coffee and a chat.
Thanks for the cache, love coming here every-time.
Thanks for the cache, love coming here every-time.
Rated: for Overall Experience
We made plans during the week to meet Mrs and Mrs SSR in Richmond for a coffee and find the latest couple of caches in Richmond. We met in the car park near the jail (gaol) and as the weather was not too drizzly decided to go caching before we had a drink. After finding a close one we walked along the river in search of another nearby cache and this virtual. The rain started to come down as we were at the bridge so we found the plaque quickly and took the required pictures before heading back into town for a coffee. TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
We've visited this location many times previously but didn't have the required photos. So we stopped in on our way through and made sure we had it covered. TFTC
We went to Hobart today to catch up with two of our family. We came home via Richmond and visited the bridge, a place we have visited on a number of occasions previously. Today we took the photos in the formats required by the CO. One composite photo with three images has been added to the Gallery: two images show the plaque with Mrs y'stassie; the other image is of the iconic bridge.
Hi MavEtJu
Had to pay a visit to the dentist today, so travelled to this cache after and had a look at the bridge.
Been here many times, Richmond is always a nice place to visit, especially on a day as nice as it today.
Sainted the cache at 1055hrs.
TFTC and cheers
OldSaint.
Had to pay a visit to the dentist today, so travelled to this cache after and had a look at the bridge.
Been here many times, Richmond is always a nice place to visit, especially on a day as nice as it today.
Sainted the cache at 1055hrs.
TFTC and cheers
OldSaint.
Rated: for Overall Experience
These coords will help you to the correct end of the bridge.CO may like to update. S42 44.035 E147 26.378
A lovely day in Richmond. Stopped on the way bavk from Launceston. Coords 40m out. Sign is at end of bridge. First to find. TFTV
