Sheltering on the leeward side of Circular Head, the village of Stanley is a picturesque cray and shark fishing settlement that seems to belong in a previous era, but has somehow managed to defy the march of time and progress and make it into the 21st century relatively intact.



A visit to Stanley is like taking a step back in time. It's an opportunity to stop and escape the frantic pace of modern life, if only for a few hours. The friendly locals go about their business as if tomorrow is a long way away, and the fresh sea air gives you an appetite for the simple, wholesome food on offer by the town's numerous eating establishments - everything from wood-fired pizzas and char-grilled octopus to curried scallop pies.


Stanley from The Nut Chairlift

Visitor Information Centre: 45 Main Rd, Stanley. Ph (03) 6458 1330

Where Is it?: Stanley is 80 km west of Burnie and 127 km west of Devonport via Bass Highway.

About Stanley

The town of Stanley lies sheltered beneath Circular Head, known as The Nut, a volcanic plug which forms a massive headland projecting from the surrounding low relief coastal topography. Matthew Flinders and George Bass sighted the nut, given it the name 'Circular Head', in 1798 during their historic circumnavigation of Tasmania, then known as Van Diemen's Land.

The settlement at Circular Head was the first European settlement in north west Tasmania, though it was not known as Stanley until it was properly surveyed as a town in 1842. Development of the region began when favourable reports of the area in London led to the formation, under Royal Charter in 1825 of the Van Diemen's Land Company, which was granted 350,000 acres in the area to raise fine-wool sheep. In October 1826 the first colonists landed on the site from the the Brig Tranmere, and the area was surveyed by Henry Hellyer.

By the 1840s the company was selling land to private buyers, and convential town development began. In 1842 the Company, in association with the government of the day, organised John Lee Archer to design the township, which he named Stanley after the then Secretary of State for the Colonies in Britain. By the end of the 19th Century a timber industry had been established in the district, and dairying and agriculture were also prospering. In 1906 Stanley became the administrative centre of the municipality of Circular Head, a function which was passed to Smithton in the early 1920s.

Climbing The Nut

The Nut - the large hill which overshadows the town and dominates Circular Head - is actually the core or volcanic plug of what was once a volcano over 13 million years ago. Almost surrounded by ocean, the Nut rises 152 metres above sea level. It is now a state reserve and has a range of bird life including Short Tailed Shearwater (muttonbird), Nankeen Kestrel, Peregrine Falcons, Silver Gulls, Little Penguins and Orange Bellied Parrots. Visitors to the Nut can either walk via a path or take the Nut Chairlift ride to the summit for a unique view of Stanley and surrounding areas. There is a 30 minute walk around the summit with lookouts and interpretation signs along the way.



The Nut is an extraodinary geological feature looming above the village of Stanley and can be seen from a great distance. At the top there are excellent views over the town and Bass Strait. There is a diversified circular walk around the top of the Nut with a number of well formed viewing platforms. Most of the walk is through windy grasslands with several lookouts, but one section is through a small forest and has an enchanted feel. The track is nearly 2 kilometres long. There is a sheltered gully which provides welcome relief from the strong wind that often blows across the top

It is worth noting that as late as the mid-1850s The Nut was heavily wooded. The trees were removed and it was used as grazing land until the 1990s.


Stanley Discovery Museum

Around Town

Located in what used to be the Parish Hall for St Paul's Church, Stanley Discovery Museum was established in 1973 as a an exhibition that will take you on a journey into Stanley's past, with relics, antiques, memorabilia, photographs, documents and a genealogy centre from 1804.



The Old Stanley Cemetery, just out of the town centre on Browns Road near Godfreys Beach, was opened in 1832. Located at the foot of The Nut and overlooking the beach, the cemetery contains many graves of local European settlement pioneers, including those of Colonial Architect J. Lee Archer, who planned the town and designed several buildings, and explorer and surveyor Henry Hellyer, who first explored the north-west region of Tasmania.



Stanley has a small colony of Fairy Penguins that nest between the cemetery and the eastern end of Godfrey’s Beach. There is an area is fenced off and within the fenced area is a grass area for viewing the penguins as they return from sea after last light. Someone is kind enough to put the time on the gate as to what time the penguins are expected to return each day. It is also possible to see penguins in their burrows during the day awaiting their parents or partners return from a day of fishing. The new viewing platform is suitable for wheelchair access.



Stanley Seaquarium rovides a fascinating sea-life experience. Located on the waters' edge alongside Stanley's fishing fleet, housed in a shed originally constructed for crayfish processing, Stanley Seaquarium transforms the building into a fascinating discovery of Tasmanian sea-life. Fisherman's Dock, Wharf Road, Stanley TAS 7331. Ph (03) 6458 2052.

Highfield Estate Historic Site

Up on the hill behind Stanley on its nouthern site is the Highfield Estate Historic Site, built in 1832-1835 for the chief agent of the Van Diemen's Company, which opened up Tasmania's north-west. The best way to get up there is to drive straight through town on Church Street, past the cemetery and Godfreys Beach along Green Hills Road. On your way to the top is a bay to pull into for a classic photo of the town.



At the top of the hill is the bullyard and the ruins of Barracks for the assigned servants, with walls of fieldstone and large bluestone blocks at the corners. The barracks were built in 1834 and occupied from 1836. There were 41 convicts assigned to the Circular Head establishment, half of whom were housed in these barracks.

The Highfield Estate was built in 1835 as the residence of the Chief Agent of the Van Diemen's Land Company and was for a time the centre of operations for the Circular Head establishment. Nuilt of sandstock bricks (now stuccoed), this single storey houses comprises of 12 rooms, and an attic. Features include a high verandah, tall French windows, curved bay windows and unusually tall windows. The design is attributed to Henry Hellyer, and an addition was designed by Joh Lee Archer in 1843, although only part of this was carried out.

There are a large number of bluestone outbuildings, including a chapel, servants' quarters, barns and stables. Today, the house has been restored after the state government bought it the early 1980's. Visitors may look through the old building and grounds, with information signs acting as the interpretation signs. Guides tours are available.



Across the road from Highfield Estate is what is known as Stan Anthony's Homestead. The house was built C. 1926 by the Van Dienem's Land Company and would have been one of the first buildings erected at he Circular Head settlement, and was the first homestead in the area. The single story timber cottage is now re-lined with weatherboards. Edward Curr, first chief agen for the Company, brought his family there in 1827. Henry Hellyer committed suicide in the house on on night of 9th September 1832, leaving a note which is held in the Tasmanian Archives. He never saw the completion of Highfield Estate which he had designed.



If you go up to the Highfield Historic Site, come back across the top of the ridge in a loop. Before returning to sea level, you pass the H.A. Lane Memorial Lookout. There's a wooden platform/viewing tower here that affords great views not only over Stanley and the Nut, but the whole coastal area to the west and south. A large picture frame has been erected yo frame any photos taking photos of the town. Be aware of strong winds that blow along this coast, and bring some warm clothes even if you come here in summer.







HURSEY SEAFOODS
100 seat restaurant specialising in Southern Rock Lobster and local seafood; take away, fresh sh sales, open 7 days.
2 Alexander Street, Stanley TAS 7331
Ph: (03) 6458 1103

• Website

Historic Stanley

• Stanley Heritage Walk

• Stanley: Brief History

• Stanley's "First Fleet"

• About the Van Diemen's Land Company

Stanley's Coastline

Godfreys Beach

Godfreys Beach is a curving 1.1 km long east-facing beach, which is protected from the strong westerly winds. There are prominent rocky headlands at each end and an extensive rock reef off the northern end of the beach. Features include a large car park, playground, amenities block and sailing club at the southern end. Godfreys is a generally low hazardous beach, however waves breaking at low tide can produce strong rips.

Tatlows Beach

Tatlows Beach is tied to the southern side of The Nut, with Stanley located on the 600 metre wide isthmus in between. This beach faces east into the open Sawyer Bay. Waves break over the tidal shoals resulting in a low energy beach, however strong tidal currents flow though the inlet and out into the bay. Strong westerly winds are great for windsurfing, but can blow people on flotation devices out to sea, so watch children particularly at low tide and on windy days.The beach is backed in the north by the town, caravan park and golf course.

Its name recalls the head of the pioneer wheelwright and blacksmith, Anthony Tatlow (1832-1885), who came to Tasmania from County Cavan, Northern Ireland as an infant. His wife, Hannah Tatlow, nee Burke (1846-1918), was also from Northern Ireland. They had eight children, ran coaching and hotel businesses and were well-loved members of the Stanley community. The beach was the scene of the stranding of 300 whales in 1935.

Anthony Beach

Anthony Beach commences at Eagle Point on the eastern side of Duck Bay and curves to the east for 13.3 km to 500 m wide West Inlet, where a deep tidal channel and tidal shoals extend 1 km off the inlet. This beach is backed by a continuous well developed foredune ridge plain which widens from 400 metres at the ends to 700 metres in the centre where there are up to 50 m low, closely spaced ridges. The island is linked to the mainland in the centre, with a 4 km road from the Bass Highway terminating at a beachfront car park in the centre of the beach. Duck Bay backs the western 5 km of the island, while West Inlet backs 3 km of the eastern end, with generally low marsh in between.

Locally and originally known as Seven Mile Beach - it was changed because of duplications. The Anthony family lived for many years in vicinity of beach.

Australian Fur Seals

Australian Fur Seals are just beautiful in their natural habitat. Whilst it is impossible to guarantee the appearance of wild animals when humans venture into their habitat, this cruise is a 75 minute trip to Bull Rock and back, where there are rarely less than 300 seals enjoying life, lazing around, swimming around the boat and jumping out of the water.



Leaving from the pontoon at the fisherman's dock, the 75 minute scenic cruise takes in spectacular views of the Stanley Nut, the unique township, the old pioneer cemetery and Godfrey's Beach. Historic farmlands extend to the waterline below, where ocean-eroded caves scatter the shoreline. location: 6 Wharf Rd, Stanley. Phone: (03) 6458 1294.

Detention River

27 km south-east via Bass Highway

Detention River lies about a five minutes drive west from the Rocky Cape turn off. It is a picturesque spot where erosion continues to threaten homes, and is now threatening the foreshore as well. It's popular for beach fishing, the with a few species of fish that can be targeted by the shore angler. They include sea-run trout, Australian salmon and flathead. Spinning for sea-run trout and salmon towards the mouth is the most common form of fishing. These fish can be caught further up the estuary when the tide is full.

Hellyer Beach

24 km south-east via Bass Highway

A 2.5 km long slightly curving north-northeast-facing sandy beach, bordered by low rocky points and platforms in the west and the shallow mouth of Pebbly Bay and the Detention River in the east. Most of the area between the highway and beach is a coastal reserve. The small settlement of Hellyer is located at the eastern end of the beach between the highway, beach and bay. The highway crosses Detention River 800 metres in from the mouth and then trends southeast, not nearing the coast again until Boat Harbour 18 km to the east.

Edgcumbe Beach

23.4 km south-east via Bass Highway

Home to a beachside holiday community, at the extremities of the beach are some interesting volcanic rock formations. Interbedded siltstone and mudstone was deposited between 750 and 1000 million years ago and folded around 510 million years ago. In places these have been intruded by dolerite dykes that might be about 700 million years old. It has a good shore platform exposure of rocks that underlie much of northwest Tasmania.

Crayfish Creek

22.64 km south-east via Bass Highway

The name conjures up images of the Giant Tasmanian crayfish which inhabit the inland waterways of the North West and gave the creek its name. The settlement, set around the beach where Crayfish Creek enters Bass Strait, consists of an older-style resort and a collection of holiday shacks. From the beach there are view towards the Port Latta iron ore facility and Circular Head beyond. The creek was named by Henry Hellyer, Architect and Surveyor of the Van Dienmen's Land Company, when he caught crayfish there during an exploratory expedition in 1827.

Port Latta

21 km south-east via Bass Highway

Originally known as Cowrie Point. Latta is the native name for iron ore. It was chosen because Port Latta was established as the location for an iron ore pelletising plant and port from which iron ore mined at Savage River is exported.

Brickmakers Beach, Cowrie Point

20 km south-east via Bass Highway

A pretty spot, and a great place to view the sunset over Bass Strait. It has a curving 250 m long north-facing beach bordered by low rocky points. It is backed by a narrow band of scrub, with a car park and small picnic and camping reserve at the western end of the beach and the highway immediately behind the eastern end.


Brickmakers Beach Rest Area

Geologically, you'll see fretwork and honey comb weathering of the rocks; hyllite and slate sequences in tilted rocks, highly sculptured with evidence of iron and minerals. The interbedded siltstone and mudstone were deposited between 750 and 1000 million years ago and folded around 510 million years ago. In places these have been intruded by dolerite dykes that might be about 700 million years old. Good shore platform exposure of rocks that underlie much of northwest Tasmania.


Little Peggs Beach

Peggs Beach/Little Peggs Beach

17.6 km south-east via Bass Highway

Peggs Beach commences on the southern side of the sandy Black River mouth and curves slightly to the southeast for 3.5 km, terminating at a low rock reef. The highway clips the eastern end of the beach where there is a campground and park in lee of the boundary reef. The road then follows the rear of the ridges, before turning inland to cross the Black River 1 km in from the mouth. The whole beach and barrier system is contained within the 208 ha Peggs Beach Coastal Reserve.

Little Peggs Beach is an eastern continuation of the longer Peggs Beach, with a 100 metre long cluster of low rocks and reefs separating the two, most of which are exposed at low tide.



Geologically, the Peggs Beach rocks area is an unconformity, i.e. a geological contact at which underlying and overlying layered sedimentary rocks of different ages meet at an angle (here about 22 degrees). The older, lower siltstone formation, about 1200 million years old, has evidently been uplifted, slightly tilted, planed off by erosion, and overlain by the younger formation, of conglomerate and quartzite, about 750 million years old. Best visited at low tide.

Inland Destinations

Mawbanna

36 km south via Mawbanna Road

Mawbanna is a small rural settlement in tasmania's North West. The locality of Mawbanna was the site of the last recorded kill of a thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) on 6th May 1930. Local farmer Wilf Batty shot the thylacine after seeing it kill poultry on his Mawbanna property. The bullet had penetrated the shoulder of a male Tasmanian Tiger, leaving him alive for another 20 minutes.

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Dip Falls

41 km south of Stanley

An unusual falls where 152 steep steps descend to the bottom of the cubic-basalt formed falls. These falls are very picturesque, particularly during the winter months. The track to the accessible viewing platform is beyond the falls. Four short walks lead to the base of these picturesque falls, its viewing platform, an old sawmill boiler and the nearby Big Tree.



From the car park it is a 5 min walk to the Big Tree in the Big Tree Reserve. The tree is over 400 years, its circumference at its base is nearly 17 metres and definitely worth seeing.
Location: 10kms east of the Stanley turn off on Bass Highway, head south to the Dip River Forest reserve.

Trowutta Caves and Arch

50 km south via Trowutta Road

The Tarkine region of North West Tasmania contains a number of unique cave systems. There are a series of extraordinary magnesite karst systems, including unique cave and pinnacle formations at Lyons River and the Arthur River-Victory Springs area, including warm springs. These cave systems are not only unique in themselves, but are also home to extraordinary cave dwelling creatures, such as the bizarre troglodyte  (cave dwelling spider) and other fascinating creatures.

Trowutta Caves are located south of Smithton, beyond the beautiful Allendale Gardens, Trowutta and Milkshake Hills. The Trowutta Arch track begins soon after the Trowutta Caves State Reserve is reached. A short 10 minute easy well defined walk leads to the park s most interesting geological feature - the Trowutta Arch. The reserve protects an area of sinkholes covered in temperate rainforest full of myrtles, sassafrass, blackwoods, massive manferns and a variety of other ferns.

South Arthur Forest Drive

The South Arthur Forest Drive is a safe and easy way to have a taste of the Tarkine region of Tasmania's north west with a minimum of fuss and without having to do the whole 4-wheel drive thing. The drive begins at Smithton and is an easy 130 km round trip. A mix of sealed and gravel roads give access to a number forest reserves on the way. To begin, take the turnoff which indicates South Arthur Forest Drive from the road between Stanley to Smithton. Brown trout have been released into the Arthur River and are a popular target for anglers.


View from Sumac Lookout

Along the way is Sumac Lookout, that has expansive views over the Arthur River and forests. Just after the Kanunnah Bridge, a dirt road climbs to the lookout. You'll be greeted by a large carpark and a massive wooden sign to let you know you've arrived. The lookout features a sturdy wooden rail and the trees are cut back to give you uninterrupted views of the valley and river below.


Julius River

The Julius River camping area is located on the northern edge of the magnificent Tarkine rainforest wilderness, some 10 km east of the Kanunnah Bridge and Sumac Lookout on the South Arthur Forest Drive. The Julius River Reserve free camping area has 6 campsites suitable for vehicle based camping (campervans, motorhomes, camper-trailers) etc,. but is not suitable for tent camping. From the reserve picnic area, which has toilets, picnic tables and barbecues, take the interpretive rainforest walk among ferns, bush orchids, mosses and fungi that lead you to a limestone sinkhole. Alternatively, head to nearby Lake Chisholm for a walk through old-growth myrtle forest, where you will find an even more spectacular flooded sinkhole.


Milkshake Hills Forest Reserve

Milkshakes Hills Forest Reserve (45 km south) features a mix of of button grass (which turns the creeks a tea colour) and virgin temperate rainforest. There are two walks, a basic 10 minute nature walk through the forest which is relatively flat, or you can climb to the top of one of the Milkshake Hills (45 minutes return).


Lake Chisholm

A hidden gem, Lake Chisholm is a flooded limestone sinkhole, one of the many sinkholes in the area, but one of only two filled with water. A gentle half hour return walk meanders through a majestic old myrtle forest to the tranquil waters of the lake. This can be a fantastic photo opportunity, especially in the early morning, so remember to bring your camera.

Tayatea Bridge Picnic Area (38 km south) privides easy access to the Arthur River provides a great opportunity to fish, picnic or even launch a raft or kayak and paddle down medium rapids to Kanunnah bridge.