The most distinctive landmark in Stanley is The Nut, a volcanic plug with steep sides, rising to 143metres. It is possible to walk to the top of The Nut via a steep track however access is more popular via a chairlift.
Tourists visiting Stanley are able to view the picturesque scenery from the Green Hills where the spectacular views of northern beaches with The Nut in the background are popular photographic subjects tourists & photographers alike.
The fishing port on the southern side of The Nut is also a regularly used fishing spot. Stanley's fishing fleets tie up near the old wharf, which was designed in colonial times to fend off the fierce seas which batter the cape. Although always a fishing town, crayfish and shark have replaced whales as the major catch. The town is filled with historic buildings, many over 150 years old, including the birthplace of Joe Lyons, Australias' only Tasmanian Prime Minister.
Van Diemen's Land was the original name used by Europeans for Tasmania. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to explore Tasmania. He named the island Anthoonij van Diemenslandt in honour of Anthony van Diemen, Governor- General of the Dutch East Indies who had sent Tasman on his voyage of discovery in 1642.
In 1803, the island was colonised by the British as a penal colony with the name Van Diemen's Land, and became part of the British colony of New South Wales. In 1824, Van Diemen's Land became a colony in its own right. In 1856 the colony was granted responsible self-government with its own representative parliament, and the name of the island and colony was changed to Tasmania.
In 1825 Van Dieman's Land Company was granted land for sheep breeding and wool. The grant included the remote area around Stanley. Settlers began arriving in 1826. The company sold land to private buyers by 1840 and in 1842 it instigated the design of a town by John Lee Archer. It was named Stanley after the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The company built as its headquarters "Highfield" in 1835, now on the Register of the National Estate. It was occupied by Edward Curr until 1842, when he moved to Port Phillip to become a prominent citizen and parliamentarian.
Stanley remained unconnected by rail to Launceston until 1922. The first railway was between Stanley and Trowutta (33 km. south-west), opened in 1911. A coach road was built only as late as the 1880s. Consequently, maritime transport was important and Stanley remained north-west Tasmania's sole port of entry for many years.
In 1878 Joseph Lyons, Australian Prime Minister 1932-39, was born in Stanley. The house where he was born is on the Register of the National Estate.
By the end of the century Stanley had a timber industry, dairying and agriculture. It was the administrative centre of the Circular Head municipality until 1920 when the role passed to Smithton, 14 km. south-west. The Stanley hinterland had a mixed agricultural economy, including grazing, cereals, vegetables and orchards.
In 1939 the Commonwealth Government acquired the Nut for postal and telegraphic services. The site was handed over to the Tasmania Government for a State Reserve in 1980. The Nut is a site for migratory birds - shearwaters and orange bellied parrots - and for kestrels, falcons and fairy penguins.
Stanley's two main industries are fishing and tourism. It has numerous places of accommodation, restaurants and cafes. There are also numerous historic buildings, a folk museum and restored buildings on the Highfield site. Professional fishermen supply approximately one-and-a-half million kilos of fish, lobster, abalone, etc a year.
An angling license has a maximum duration of 1 year, from the 1st of August till the following 31st of July. No matter when you buy your license it will expire on the following 31st of July. Note that a license is not valid unless signed in ink by the holder. This does not have to be done at the point of purchase but it must be done before use. No adult, licensed or unlicensed, may fish in a juvenile angling pond ie. one reserved for use by young people under 16 years.
While nothing in nature is ever guaranteed, Stanley Seal Cruises say that since 2000, when they first started operating, they always see Australian Fur Seals. The 70-minute cruise on the motor cruiser, "Sylvia C", takes you just one kilometre offshore to Bull Rock. Australian Fur Seals use Bull Rock as their haul-out or “holiday” rock in seal terms. They rest, lie in the sun, feed and enjoy themselves. The bull seals vary in size from 200 to 350 kilo, while the females are around 180 to 200 kilo. You can see anywhere from 50 to 500 seals – bulls, females and juveniles. Bull Rock is also popular with the Black-faced Cormorant, Oystercatchers and Pacific Gulls.
As it is not a breeding ground, the boat can be up to two metres from the Rock and curious seals come over to inspect the visitors onboard – so there are lots of chances for photographers to get the perfect shot. You also get the unique opportunity to see The Nut from the ocean along with spectacular views of the coastline. Departure times: October - April 1000 and 1500. May and September 1000 only. Closed 15 June to 31 August.
The Stanley Cabin & Tourist Park is in the ideal position for a perfect holiday for families with children with the choice of staying in a cabin, motel or bring your own caravan or tent for a budget holiday on one of our powered sites.
Captain's Cottage (circa 1832) is a self-contained seaside cottage. The award-winning Beachside Retreat is an ocean-frontage cattle property and wildlife retreat three kilometres from Stanley. Touchwood Cottages provide historic bed and breakfast accommodation while TheRosebank Cottage Collection offers a choice of three self-contained cottages.
The Old Cable Station provides comfortable, historic, stylish bed and breakfast and self-contained accommodation in a private setting approxinamtely 2km from the town centre. VDL (the old Van Dieman Land Store) offers contemporary accommodation at Stanley, on Tasmania's north west coast.
The Old Cable Station provides comfortable, historic, stylish bed and breakfast and self-contained accommodation in a private setting approxinamtely 2km from the town centre. VDL (the old Van Dieman Land Store) offers contemporary accommodation at Stanley, on Tasmania's north west coast.
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