Places to Go
Explore all towns and regions
Featured
Plan a coastal road trip →
Plan your visit
Start planning your trip
Featured
Start with the ferry to Devonport →
ON BASS STRAIT, BENEATH THE NUT
A historic fishing village that happens to look like a postcard.
Stanley Tasmania sits beneath The Nut on Tasmania’s Far North West coast, with quaint historic cottages, a working fishing harbour, cafés and small shops all within walking distance.
Highfield Historic Site sits above the village, with a beach on either side of the peninsula. Allow a full day, or stay for dinner, the penguins and a slower morning.
Rising 143 metres above Stanley and Bass Strait, The Nut is hard to miss. Walk up the steep summit track or take the chairlift, then follow the circuit across the plateau through open grassland and wooded sections. Lookouts have views over the village, beaches, Highfield and surrounding farmland.
STEEP SUMMIT TRACK
The short, steep track climbs from The Nut car park to the summit, with seats…The short, steep track climbs from The Nut car park to the summit, with seats along the way. Take your time on the climb, then join the summit circuit or pause at the lookouts.
The Nut Summit Circuit – Great Short Walk →
CHAIRLIFT
Take The Nut Chairlift from the car park to the summit for an open-air journey…Take The Nut Chairlift from the car park to the summit for an open-air journey above Stanley. The views across the village and Bass Strait come before you step off onto the plateau. Fares apply. Confirm operating hours before visiting, as seasonal closures, wind and maintenance can affect the service.
The Nut Chairlift Stanley →
SUMMIT CIRCUIT
Follow the summit circuit for views over Stanley, Bass Strait, Highfield and the surrounding farmland.…Follow the summit circuit for views over Stanley, Bass Strait, Highfield and the surrounding farmland. Allow about an hour, plus time to pause at the lookouts. The circuit is gentler than the climb, with exposed sections across the plateau.
The Nut Summit Circuit – Great Short Walk →
MAIN STREET
Walk along Church Street and Alexander Terrace to see Stanley’s historic cottages, churches and commercial…Walk along Church Street and Alexander Terrace to see Stanley’s historic cottages, churches and commercial buildings. The village is hilly in places, but most central attractions are within a relatively small area.
Stanley Visitor Centre →
CAFÉS AND SHOPS
Call into Stanley’s cafés, bakery, providores and restaurants for coffee, lunch or supplies for a…Call into Stanley’s cafés, bakery, providores and restaurants for coffee, lunch or supplies for a picnic. Small galleries and shops offer locally made products, gifts and artwork. Opening hours can vary, particularly outside peak periods.
Find food and shopping →
WORKING HARBOUR
Follow the foreshore towards the fishing harbour and Little Wharf for views across Sawyer Bay…Follow the foreshore towards the fishing harbour and Little Wharf for views across Sawyer Bay and back to The Nut. Stanley remains a working port, so keep clear of operating areas and watch for vehicles and fishing activity.
Stanley’s streets, cottages and nearby farming estate tell the story of European settlement in Tasmania’s far North West.
The heritage walk, museum and Lyons Cottage are in the village. Highfield is a drive out.
SELF-GUIDED WALK
A self-guided route links historic homes, churches and commercial buildings throughout the village. Pick up…A self-guided route links historic homes, churches and commercial buildings throughout the village. Pick up a brochure locally or follow the route online.
Stanley Heritage Walk →
COLONIAL HISTORY
Walk the homestead, farm buildings and gardens of Highfield Historic Site, established by the Van…Walk the homestead, farm buildings and gardens of Highfield Historic Site, established by the Van Diemen’s Land Company in the 1820s. The property overlooks Stanley, The Nut and the surrounding coast. Entry fees and opening hours apply.
Highfield Historic Site →
LOCAL STORIES
Stories of Stanley and the wider Circular Head district come through photographs, household objects, local…Stories of Stanley and the wider Circular Head district come through photographs, household objects, local records and changing displays. The museum is volunteer-run, so please check opening hours.
Stanley Discovery Museum →
POLITICAL HISTORY
Visit the birthplace and childhood home of Joseph Lyons, Australia’s tenth prime minister. This small…Visit the birthplace and childhood home of Joseph Lyons, Australia’s tenth prime minister. This small cottage on Alexander Terrace introduces his life and political career.
Stanley has beaches on both sides of the peninsula, each with a different view of the village and The Nut. Follow the coastal pathway beside Godfreys Beach, walk Tatlows Beach for broad views across Sawyer Bay, or find a quiet stretch of sand and stay put.
Little penguins return from Bass Strait after dark to burrows around the lower slopes of The Nut. The purpose-built viewing platform at Godfreys Beach is a safe place to watch them come ashore.
Arrive before dark, dress warmly and keep noise to a minimum. Use only the designated viewing area, do not use flash photography and never shine white light towards the penguins or their burrows.
Viewing is free, but penguins are wild animals, so sightings and arrival times cannot be guaranteed.
Stanley’s working fishing harbour brings seafood into the village’s restaurants, pubs and takeaway outlets. Look for fish, oysters, scallops and Tasmanian rock lobster, depending on the season and availability.
Stop for lunch between walks or stay for dinner after a wander around the village. Book ahead for an evening meal, particularly during busy periods.
Accommodation includes heritage cottages, guesthouses, apartments, hotels, holiday homes and caravan parks, within walking distance of the village, with a coastal outlook or out in the surrounding countryside. An overnight stay leaves time for dinner, penguin viewing and another walk before you move on. Book ahead for summer, long weekends and major events.
Step into Stanley’s newest waterfront stay - the Bond Store, an 1859 stone warehouse thoughtfully restored into two private apartments where heritage, sea and comfort meet. Set on…
Nestled beneath the imposing Stanley Nut, with a captivating view of the bay, Ship Inn Stanley is a charming boutique hotel in North West Tasmania. Located at the…
Stanley Seaview Inn is long-term family owned and operated property with magnificent coastal views of North West Tasmania. Situated on the hills just one kilometre from the centre…
The area
Plot your trip around Stanley and Circular Head - pin by pin. Filter the map by where to stay, what to see and where to eat.
Getting to Stanley
Follow the Bass Highway through the North West, then take the signed turn-off onto Stanley Highway and continue into the village.
From Smithton, travel east along the Bass Highway to the Stanley turn-off. Stanley is also an easy coastal stop on the way west to Smithton, the Tarkine Drive or Arthur River.
Stanley has powered caravan accommodation with facilities and easy access to the village.
The Stanley Recreation Ground has basic unpowered overnight sites for eligible self-contained recreational vehicles. Conditions, fees and length-of-stay limits apply, so check current council information before arriving.
There’s a public dump point and drinking water in Stanley. Some village streets are narrow or steep, and larger vehicles may be easier to leave at your accommodation while you walk the centre.
Yes. Stanley combines one of Tasmania’s most recognisable geological landmarks with a historic village, coastal walks, little penguins, seafood and Highfield Historic Site. Allow a full day or stay overnight rather than treating it as a brief photo stop.
Allow at least one full day to see The Nut, village, Highfield and waterfront. Stay overnight if you want to watch the little penguins and enjoy the town at a slower pace.
Yes. Walk the short, steep summit track from the car park or take the privately operated chairlift. Once at the top, allow about an hour for the circuit and extra time at the lookouts.
See the chairlift section above for operating information.
The purpose-built viewing platform at Godfreys Beach is the best place to watch little penguins return after dark. Use the red-lit viewing area and avoid flashes, white torches and loud noise.
Highfield Historic Site is an early colonial farming estate established by the Van Diemen’s Land Company. Visitors can walk through Highfield House, convict-built outbuildings, a chapel, barns and gardens overlooking Stanley and The Nut.
Yes. Stanley is reached by sealed road and has caravan accommodation. The recreation ground is intended for fully self-contained caravans and recreational vehicles and doesn’t accept tents.
Yes. Stay in Stanley and make Smithton and the Tarkine Drive a day trip, combining rainforest walks and river lookouts with time in the village.
Generally no. A parks pass isn’t required for a day visit to The Nut State Reserve. Separate charges apply to the privately operated chairlift and entry to Highfield Historic Site.
Make it a trip
Travel stories
Illuminate the North West is a winter series of free light and sound projection shows across the North West and West Coast. Locations and dates change each year…
If you’ve seen all the tourism awards, you already know a visit to Stanley’s a good decision. Perched on Tasmania’s North West coast, this historic seaside town makes…
Stay 12.01.25
If you're planning a trip to Northwest Tasmania with your furry friend, we've got some great suggestions for pet-friendly stays. Everything from cosy cabin-style accommodation to a luxe…
