Tourism In Stanley, Tasmania

Stanley is established about 20 km from Smithton, 100 km from Wynyard, about 230 km from Launceston and 130 km from Devonport. It is located in the heart of the major tourist area. 


The beautiful historic village of Stanley lies beneath the ancient volcano known locally as the 'The Nut`. It is a large flat-topped circular headland that is more than 150 m high. You can stroll to the summit or take the local chairlift and glimpse stunning scenery of the surrounding coastline. Stanley has kept the feeling of an historic dock and harbour with a tiny angling fleet still utilising it for protection and processing crayfish and diverse localized fish species. The village features a charming marine aquarium, numerous historic cabins and an array of art galleries and antique shops. In the wharf locality there numerous stone historic structures, some of which have been altered to provide tourist amenities.

There is charming blue-stone accommodation in renovated warehouses on the shoreline. The Highfield Historic Site, established beside Stanley dates from 1837, is was where the renowned Dieman's Land Company operated.

The location encompasses horse stables, a homestead, barns and diverse workers` cabins, all in a charming setting. Tours of the historic location are run every day and there are ghost trips after dark, if you dare. The charming set of cabins underneath The Nut presents a exclusive picture-post card setting to this charming shoreline town.

There is a very amicable tavern and diverse other amusement alternatives in the surrounding towns. The localized angling trawlers and cray vessels tie up beside the vintage wharf as they have down for decades. The local seafood is simply superb The localized candy shop in the centre of the main street is world famous.

There are numerous fine art and home wares galleries, a tavern and food outlets in Stanley, and numerous intriguing tourist attractions. The local pub serves superb counter meals. South of Stanley are the Mawbanna and Dip Falls and numerous other picturesque attractions in the natural reserves. The village is about 100 km from Wynyard, and has won the Premier Tourist Town in Tasmania award many more times than any other village in the past 10 years.

There are many excellent places to stay on the water front. There is a wide range of things to do and see in Stanley. Entertainment buffs will find lots of options in Devonport and Wynyard. There is a caravan reserve nearby. There are also some excellent wineries in the area.

Related articles

• Tasmania releases plans for eco-tourism (ecoadventuretravel.wordpress.com)
• Mark Webber's Tasmania Challenge: thrills and spills (telegraph.co.uk)
• Things You Should Know About Tasmania (australiablog.com)
• Why was Tasmania once called Van Diemen's Land (wiki.answers.com)
• Tasmania backs Marriage Act reform (theage.com.au)

Promising News For Stanley And Circular Head

Circular Head is going from near bust to boom.

In a crucial boost for jobs- challenged Circular Head and the wider North-West economy, Tasmanian Dairy Products Co Ltd yesterday announced the Murray Goulburn cooperative had made a "significant" equity investment in the company to allow a powdered milk plant to be built.


The companies told about 180 Circular Head community leaders and farmers it would be at the Gunns Ltd sawmill site, which has been on the market for some time. The project value will be up to $70 million.

More importantly, for an area which has been hit hard by forestry's struggles, the project is expected to provide 75 ongoing jobs and about 150 during construction.

The implications are expected to be even wider than that. "There was talk today about possibly 2000 jobs for Circular Head, not just in the factory but because of the (demand for) extra milk," thrilled Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam said.
"Tasmania has got about 700million litres of milk a year now and these guys are going to want about 220 million litres."The indications are Tasmania will go to a billion litres.

"Woolnorth is looking at major development and it's been estimated by the government, because MIS (managed investment) schemes have fallen over, some plantation timber land will go back into grassland and other patches of land will be developed for dairy."

Joy was not too strong a word to describe the local reaction, he said.


He said Circular Head would be well catered for and would need an influx of people, especially if the Shree iron ore mine went ahead.

Cr Quilliam said it was expected the site would be secured by the end of the week and construction would start while Gunns was still using some of the site for drying timber.

Tasmanian Dairy Products CEO Gregg Pollack said finalising Murray Goulburn as the key investor meant construction would start soon.


It was expected to take about a year.


The State Liberals also welcomed the development, describing it as "a welcome reprieve for the region that had been hit hard by recent business closures and job losses as a result of the financial ineptitude of the State Government".

Looking Up In Circular Head, Tasmania

Stanley is located in the municipality of Circular Head on Tasmania’s northwest coast. Recently 'Tasmanian Dairy Products' is planning to open a new milk processing plant in Smithton.

The state’s Minister for Primary Industries Bryan Green said the plant, which will be built on Gunns' sawmill at Smithton, would ensure the dairy industry remained one of Tasmania’s key economic drivers.

“This is major investment in the future of Tasmania’s dairy industry and the Circular Head region,”
Green said.

“It is a great opportunity for dairy farmers and will provide a huge boost for the local economy.”

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Gregg Pollack, told ABC News Online that the new plant would create up to 75 jobs in the area.

It will also boost milk production across the state, making powdered dairy products from 150 million litres of milk a year.

According to Green, Tasmania’s dairy industry currently employs around 2700 people and generates about $500 million in farm and factory income.

Plans to build the Smithton plant comes a few months after National Foods’ announced plans to close some of its cheese manufacturing operations across the country, including its Kings Meadows facility.

Construction of the new Smithton plant is reported to begin at the end of the year.

Politics And Possible School Closure

Since our familys' migration to Stanley in 1979 the Stanley Primary School has consistently delivered high achievers. Surely the academic results and the terrific social skills that it teaches the children must count for something.

James Keir Hardie would be turning in his grave at the treacherous measures that the Labour Party are intending to make. James Keir Hardie was the founding father of the Labour Party. He lived in the small mining village of Cumnock in Scotland while fighting for a better life for the workers and making sure their children had the opportunity of a good education. We know this as we came from Cumnock and so lived and breathed the Labour Party.

I can assure you all that it was never Labours' philosophy to deprive children of the right to have a school in their village.

Ms Giddings should understand that the school is the heart and soul of this beautiful village.

Please give your support. Don't let them shut up shop....because this is what will happen.

The beautiful town of Stanley, Tasmania & its' surrounds needs your help. Let's start now. It's easy. Comments welcome.

Custom Search

In and Around Stanley, Tasmania

STANLEY, with a population of around 460 people, is a totally restored Bass Strait fishing village with tiny, brightly-painted cottages neatly terraced on the lower slopes of an extinct volcano known as The Nut. Stanley's fairytale village nestles impressively close to The Nut on an isthmus that creates a half-kilometre arc of clean and sandy ocean beach on one side and a huge sheltered bay to landward that in turn contains the small fishing harbour. Take the chairlift, or hike, to the top of The Nut and you will be rewarded with sensational views. 


Despite the relatively stagnant population, real estate is booming with many new private homes being built and homes being converted to bed & breakfast accommodation, house prices in Stanley are more than competitive in the regional market.

SMITHTON is the commercial hub of this part of the North West and an ideal place stock up on food, drinks, petrol and cash for your travels further afield. MARRAWAH and ARTHUR RIVER are small communities overlooking the Southern Ocean and favourite destinations for surfing and fishing enthusiasts. Both are great places to rest before the most interesting and remote section of any North West tour - the Western Explorer Highway south to Corinna, Zeehan and Strahan. 

Accommodation

Stanley
B&B’s, caravan and cabin parks, hotels and motels, and self-contained apartments, units and historic cottages. Advance bookings are strongly recommended all year. If you have not pre-booked accommodation and plan to stay overnight in Stanley between December and April you are advised to ring in advance and secure accommodation prior to driving to Stanley. Accommodation enquiries and bookings can be made through the Visitor Information Centre.

Motor Homes
Motor homes, caravans and camping available at Stanley Cabin and Tourist Park. Toilet, shower, laundry facilities and fully equipped camper’s kitchen and barbecues.

Designated Sullage Point
Tatlows Beach Carpark. Wharf Road, Stanley
West Esplandade Carpark, Smithton.

Smithton
B&B’s, hotels and motels, and self-contained accommodation. Advance bookings strongly recommended all year. Accommodation enquiries and bookings can be made through the Stanley Visitor Information Centre.

Arthur River and Marrawah
Caravan and cabin park, and self-contained accommodation. Advance bookings strongly recommended all year. If you have not pre-booked accommodation and plan to stay overnight in Arthur River or Marrawah between December and April you are advised to ring in advance and secure accommodation prior to driving to Arthur River or Marrawah. Accommodation enquiries and bookings can be made through the Stanley Visitor Information Centre.

Internet Cafes

Stanley Information Visitor Centre, 45 Main Road, Stanley. Tel: (03) 6458 1330.
Stanley Cabin and Tourist Park, 1 Wharf Road, Stanley. Tel: (03) 6458 1266.

Banks & ATMs

Stanley
ANZ Bank agency, Stanley Newsagent, Church Street †
Commonwealth Bank agency, Post Office, Church Street †
Bass & Equitable Agents, It's All Good Health Food Store, Emmett Street, Smithton †
Self Funded ATM, Stanley Roadhouse, Stanley Highway †

Real Estate In Stanley, Tasmania

With a relatively static population of approximately 460 people, one could easily mistaken for thinking that real estate movement in Stanley, Tasmania would be accordingly static. The current situation could not be further from the truth.

Vacant blocks of land are seeing new properties being built and are in keeping with the quaint atmosphere of Stanley. Several houses have recently been listed as 'heritage.' This has had the negative effect of owners inflating their prices partially because they can and partially to maintain the upkeep of the heritage listing. This is having the additional negative effect of people who are selling their non-heritage listed houses for what they are truly fair prices.

One such house that is maintaining its' fair asking price is 30 Main Road, Stanley. The asking price is not a discount but appears to be one due to the vast majority of other local prices.

On entering the house via the main gate, which is part of a 6ft fence surrounding the house, one is instantly hit by a stunning garden. On entering the 'inner sanctum' of the garden through a second gate, you will find may different 'pockets,' each with its' own unique atmosphere, including a brilliant vegetable patch. The garden has taken 30 years to come to fruition (pun intended) and is now a very low-maintenance affair.

Within the uncluttered home is a beautiful and professional Smeg stainless steel wall oven and hot plates. The modern kitchen has tiled floors and a feature tiled wall. This wonderful 3 bedroom home with so much opportunity with the 2 extra blocks of land available to buy in a complete package if desired.

There are 3 outdoor sheds either for storage or for a work shop. The undercover spa and entertainment area and has the feeling that you could be in Bali! Additionally, what a wonderful relaxing area for children to play in the fenced back yard.

The home also has outstanding views of the "Stanley Nut" and is a warm sunny place to relax in. New carpets and curtains installed in the past 12 months. Children would also love this property with the 3 sheds all accessed from the undercover area at the back of the dwelling this allows for year round entertaining.
The front driveway is sealed and a secure entrance through the garage to the home if desired.

The home is close to the Stanley sports ground, Golf Club and a 5 minute walk to sandy white beaches. The gas log fire offers a most enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere on the colder days of winter.

For further information contact: Landmark Real Estate.

Somewhere Under The Rainbow.

Image via Wikipedia

Stanley is a fishing village located on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Australia. It is  the second-last major township on the north-west coast of Tasmania with a population  of around 450.


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.

Stanley is famous for its runs of Blue Warehou, also known as Snotty Trevally from the Stanley Wharf. Freshwater fishing can be found at Lake Mikany. Nelson Bay located at the mouth of the Arthur River is a thriving fishing destination. The onset of spring can see sea-run trout and salmon active. Anglers fishing in Tasmania’s inland waters must hold a current Inland Fisheries Service angling license. Anyone may, however, take indigenous ie native fish, using a bush pole without a license. Persons under 14 years do not require a license. A licensee may fish Tasmania’s approved inland waters with a rod, reel and line only during the open season.

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.

Custom Search