Old Hobart Town, Richmond, Tasmania — Attraction in Hobart

Old Hobart Town is a delightful surprise tucked behind the main street of Richmond. The scale model recreates 1820s Hobart in impressive detail; you wander along winding paths while tiny schooners sit in the “harbour”, convicts push wheelbarrows and ladies in bonnets chat outside Georgian cottages. Informative boards at key spots explain the stories behind each scene, so you pick up pieces of Tasmanian history without feeling like you are back in school. Kids love hunting for the cheeky Tasmanian devil hiding among the figurines, and adults tend to linger over the craftsmanship in the sandstone facades and shingled roofs.

The gardens around the model are well kept, adding splashes of lavender, rosemary and native grasses that frame the miniature streetscapes. There are plenty of benches if you want to sit and take it all in, and the looped layout means you can browse at your own pace without doubling back. Staff at the entrance are welcoming and happy to point out easy-to-miss scenes, like the bushranger ambush near the quarry or the tiny greyhounds racing beyond the city walls.

Practicalities are straightforward. Parking is available on the adjacent side street, the gift shop stocks local books and postcards, and the site is mostly level, making it manageable for prams and wheelchairs. Tickets are valid for re-entry on the same day, which is handy if you want to duck out for lunch in the village and return for another look. As a compact blend of history lesson, garden stroll and model-makers’ showcase, Old Hobart Town offers something different from the usual heritage stops and is well...

Old Hobart Town is a historical model village located in Richmond, Tasmania, offering a fascinating look at what Hobart was like in the early 19th century. The model is a carefully crafted replica of the city as it appeared in 1820, built using historical records, maps, and documents to ensure accuracy.

This was actually my first stop in Hobart, and I arrived just 30 minutes before closing time. Despite that, the experience felt anything but rushed. The lady running the shop was wearing a very cute pink sweatshirt and was incredibly warm and welcoming. She took the time to explain the history behind the display and shared details about how everything was organized, making me feel like I had stepped back in time.

The display features over 60 buildings, tiny figurines, and detailed streetscapes that showcase the daily lives of convicts, settlers, and soldiers during Tasmania’s colonial era. Each scene is thoughtfully put together, and the attention to detail is impressive—you can even spot tiny moments of daily life and historical events captured in miniature form.

The setup of the shop itself adds to the charm. It feels cozy, inviting, and genuinely makes you want to stay longer. It’s clear that a lot of love and effort has gone into preserving this piece of history, and it’s an experience I’d...

Old Hobart Town, also known as the Model Village, is a historical theme park located in the town of Richmond, Tasmania, Australia. The park is designed to replicate a colonial-era town, featuring over 50 buildings and more than 400 miniature figures depicting life in early 19th-century Tasmania.

The park includes a range of exhibits and activities, including a model of the Hobart Town settlement as it appeared in 1820, complete with streets, buildings, and ships. Visitors can also explore a replica of a 19th-century prison, a court house, a blacksmith's forge, and a range of other buildings, each with displays of period clothing, tools, and household items.

In addition to the exhibits, the park also offers activities such as archery, mini-golf, and horse-drawn carriage rides. The park is open to visitors of all ages and is a popular destination for families, school groups, and tourists interested in the history of Tasmania...