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Serenity in Stanley
Author: Gavin Wyatt The north west of Tasmania is relatively unknown in tourist circles, with the large National Parks and towns seeming to get the majority of any travel promotion. This is a travesty when you consider the unspoiled scenery and the hidden treasures of this special part of Tasmania. A beautiful coastline and a lush hinterland are home to many species of unique Tasmanian wildlife, and the small, cosy towns are the perfect destination for a quiet break. With so much going for it, this region is slowly increasing its status as a viable holiday retreat, and the town that is leading the charge is Stanley, a small fishing town with a population of 450 people.
Stanley is located on the tip of the peninsula jutting out into the waters of the Bass Strait, and sits at the base of a large volcanic plug called 'The Nut'. This flat topped outcrop of rock is visible from some distance away and gives the town a distinctive character, one that the locals are proud to identify themselves by. At 150 metres high, the Nut provides spectacular views of the town and the coastline and can be reached by a relatively easy walk. If the slopes appear too daunting then there is a chairlift to the top which is especially handy for the old or the unfit! As it is a State Reserve you are likely to see a myriad of birdlife, including shearwaters and orange-bellied parrots, and at the base there are colonies of cute fairy penguins. Often fur seals can be seen swimming and diving in the waters off the nut too.
Too experience more natural beauty just make the short drive to the upper reaches of the Tarkine Wilderness Area. Home to Australia's largest tract of temperate rainforest, there are some stunning landscapes and geological features here, and the region is rich in Aboriginal culture, with at least 244 Aboriginal sites identified in the area. It is also a haven for threatened animal species, so keep your eyes peeled for rare quolls, bandicoots and eagles in your time there!
Stanley town itself is a delightfully picturesque town with friendly residents who make it their mission to ensure you feel like a guest in their town, not just a visitor. Officially declared a historic town, in the wharf there are a number of old buildings that will pique the interest of historians or the just plain curious. In Alexander Terrace the childhood home of Joseph Lyons (the Australian Prime Minister for much of the 1930's) stands, and in Marine Park you will find the former Van Diemen's Land Store. To really tune yourself in to the history of the region, visit the Discovery Centre Folk Museum, where a huge collection of artefacts relating to Stanley's past are exhibited.
Highfield Historic Site is one of the most popular attractions in Stanley. High on a hillside with views of farmlands and the town in the distance, this was once the home of the head of the Van Diemens Land Company. Today it has been restored to portray an accurate depiction of what a stately home and farm in the 1830's would be like. There are a convict barracks here, a barn, stables and even a chapel, and the house itself is built in an elegant Italianate design. There is a small charge to enter and view the property, which is open seven days a week in the summer and five days a week in the winter.
If you fancy a little road trip out of Stanley then hop into your hire car and drive the forty kilometres to Dip Falls, located on the Dip River on Mawbanna Road. The base of these magnificently imposing waterfalls are reached by a series of steep stairs leading from the car park, which is basically at the top of the falls. Enjoy having a picnic down there with the sound of the crashing water in the background, and when you are done make the short drive on to the Big Tree, a 400 year old tree that will take your breath away with its size. You can get up close to it via a wooden platform that wraps around the base of its trunk.
Stanley can be reached via a 127 kilometre drive from Devonport or a 231 kilometre one from Launceston. The stunning scenery of the northern coast will fly past you on this trip, so expect it to be an intriguing and captivating one. Once in the town there are more accommodation options than you would expect for such a small place, so be prepared to make a choice between caravan parks, hotels, motels and intimate lodge style resorts. Above all, be prepared for a relaxing break- one where the hustle of your life fades away to be replaced by the quiet serenity of the north west of Tasmania.
Gavin Wyatt is a journalist with a passion for travel. originally from Zambia he has traveled around the world to end up on the sunny shores of Australia. For more of his articles visit Tasmanian Car Rental
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