Stanley, Tasmania 🇦🇺 2022

Date: 7th February 2022

Travelled: 135 kms from Waratah to Stanley, Tasmania. 

Visited: Wynyard, Boat Harbour and Stanley  

Stayed: Stanley Recreation Park, $10, S40.76410, E145.28927 

Budget: 10 days @ $0 per day.

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No particular hurry this morning as we plan to drive north on the Murchison Hwy for Wynyard then along the coast east till wherever. Our neighbours have recommended Stanley and we have recommended Lake Gairdner to them.

The first 20 kms is through open forest country but the next 30 kms through the Hellyer Gorge State Reserve is tight hairpin curves, steep descents and ascents. Very scenic but I’m focused on keeping the Jayco moving and to the left.

We have a half hour brake for coffee and a walk along the gorge.

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From Takone north its a much more relaxed drive through open farmland.

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We turn west onto the Bass Hwy and arrive in Wynyard a few minutes later. Do a shop at Woolworths, use a fuel docket to fill with diesel at $1.76 at the adjoining servo. Even better Boag’s Premium is on special at BWS for $49. Damn we are on a roll. There’s nothing else to hold us at Wynyard so we continue a few kms around to Table Cape and lunch at the viewing point.

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The Lonely Planet describes Boat Harbour Beach as Tasmania’s best. As it’s only a few kms off the Bass so we drive down for a look. Despite the water temperature sitting on 19° no one is too keen today.

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The days getting on, so we get back on the Bass Hwy and get our first look at ‘The Nut’.

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We turn for Stanley and make our way to the RV stop next to the golf club. We manage a spot with a water view but given the wind is really howling I doubt we’ll be sitting out enjoying the view. Settled in we head off to explore Stanley.

Stanley has a population of some 500 people, which isn’t many considering there is a fleet of crayfish and octopus trawlers work from here. It appears many of the nicer homes are B+B’s. There is a single small supermarket, but 5-6 cafes so tourism must be the life blood.

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We originally thought we may spend two days in Stanley but the wind continues to blow and the morning is very grey, so we decide to cross a couple of things of our list and continue on.

The first is to explore The Nut. The relict of some long gone volcanic core rises 143m ASL . We opt for the chairlift rather than walk which we would normally do. At $17 pp its expensive, unless you have a sore heel.

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Down from The Nut we drive around to the Highfield Historic Site to have a wander. Entry is $10pp so it’s an expensive morning. The home was built by the Van Diemen’s Land Company in 1825. The company held the freehold for most of the land in this region of Tasmania.

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The house, outbuildings and gardens have been substantially renovated over the past 20 years. It was a very interesting hour and well worth a wander.

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So that’s Highfield and our visit to Stanley complete. We make an all important stop for scallop pie at the Stanley Fish Shop ($12 each).

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Michael + Pam