Stanley

A historic harbour town in northwest Tasmania, where a chairlift takes you up the volcanic plug of The Nut and little penguins come home at dusk. It is the gateway to the Arthur River and the Tarkine wilderness.

Stanley lies on the northwest coast of Tasmania, in the Circular Head area, on a narrow peninsula reaching into Bass Strait. It has about 500 residents and is one of Tasmania's best-preserved 19th-century harbour towns. In 1826 the Van Diemen's Land Company set up its headquarters here, leaving colonial houses around Highfield House, the wharf stores and Church Street. The town's most prominent landmark is The Nut, a flat-topped volcanic plug that you can climb by chairlift or on foot.

Core activities: in the morning, climb The Nut, walk the historic streets and visit Highfield House. At noon, eat rock lobster or fish and chips at the wharf. At night, go to Godfreys Beach to watch the little penguins come home. There are two day trips nearby. About 70 km to the southwest, take a boat trip up the Arthur River into the Tarkine rainforest to reach the 'end of the world'. On the way along the Tarkine Drive, stop at Lake Chisholm and the Trowutta Arch. To the east, via Dip Falls, Rocky Cape National Park and Boat Harbour Beach, you can reach Table Cape to see the lighthouse and the spring tulip fields.

Getting there: there is no direct public transport, so you need to drive. The town is about 80 km from Burnie Airport and about 150 km from Devonport, where the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal is. The best season is November–March, when the weather is mild, penguins are active, and boat trips and the chairlift are operating. Winter is windy and wet, and some facilities close. Plan 1–2 days.

Notes: winds on the northwest coast change quickly, so bring a windproof jacket. Tarkine roads are mostly gravel, with poor phone signal, so fill up before setting out. National parks require a pass.

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