Stanley (Tasmania)

town in Tasmania, Australia

Stanley is located in the northwestern part of Tasmania. According to the 2016 census, Stanley had a population of 553. It's perhaps best known for The Nut, a 143-metre-high volcanic plug by the coast that's viewable from almost every part of town.

The view of Stanley from a distance with The Nut clearly visible

Understand

Visitor information

Get in

By car

The only way to get into Stanley is by car. The nearest major city is Burnie, and give yourself 3 hours to get to Stanley if you want to see the amazing beaches, capes and bluffs along Tasmania's north coast, also known as The Great Nature Trail. If you do not stop along the way, then the drive takes a little over an hour from Burnie via the Bass Highway (A2) and Stanley Highway (B21).

Get around


See

  • 🌍 The Nut State Reserve, The Nut Summit Cct. The main attraction of Stanley and a flat-top volcanic plug with views of the town and Rocky Cape National Park. The Nut can be viewed from all over Stanley. (updated Jan 2022)
  • 🌍 Little Penguin Viewing Area, Harrison Tce. Northwest Tasmania is home to many little fairy penguins, and if you happen to be in Stanley just after dark, you may be able to spot them. They may be loud at night, hosting a penguin party, but they're often hidden beneath rocks. Remember, don't take flash photography or use a flashlight – it can blind their eyesight. If anything, use a red torch to avoid damaging their eyesight. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 Trethewies Lookout, Stanley Hwy (B21). The entry point of Stanley makes a good photo spot of The Nut. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 Highfield Historic Site, 143 Green Hills Rd, ☏ +61 3 6458 1100. Daily 9:30AM–4:30PM. A relic of colonial architecture from the Regency Period. All day tours are self-guided, and the signs in the site are fairly informative. $15 per adult (18+), $5 per child (5–17), $12 per concession holder, and $35 per family (2 adults + 3 children). (updated Feb 2023)

Do

Take a chairlift up to the Nut for stunning views of Stanley and its surroundings. Look out into the blue waters of the Bass Strait.

Once you're up the chairlife, The Nut Walk is a 4.6-kilometer circuit that takes about an hour to bushwalk. The walk includes various lookouts – each give different views at different points, whether it's the rocky cape of Rocky Cape NP, farmland, beaches, or woodland. If you want to bushwalk around The Nut without having to use the chairlift, access is via The Nut Zig Zag Track, which is steep to an extent, but not as steep as some of Tasmania's other popular bushwalks.

  • Good base from which to explore the Tarkine Forests, and the Edge of the World coast-line.

Buy

Souvenirs are available in the visitor centre of The Nut.

Eat

The Sailor's Cove is a good place to eat after 5pm.

  • 🌍 Stanley Dockside Cafe, 6/8 Wharf Rd, Stanley. Th-M 9:30AM–3:30PM. A small cafe with a nice open view of the ocean. (updated Jan 2022)
  • 🌍 Post Sealers Cove Restaurant, 2 Main Rd. W-Su 5–8:30PM. A small restaurant shop serving Australian cuisine. (updated Jan 2022)
  • 🌍 Stanley Hotel Bistro, 19/21 Church St (Cnr Victoria and Church), toll-free: 1800 222 397. 11:30AM–10PM. Wide variety of choices, probably the most popular in town. $. (updated Mar 2022)

Drink

Sleep

Connect

Go next

Routes via Stanley
C214 jcn to Arthur River ← Smithton ← W B21 (towards A2) E  → Rocky Cape National Park (via C227 jcn) → Burnie



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