@ VDL Stanley Tasmania >> Luxury Accommodation >> Local Area Page

16 Wharf Rd . Stanley Tasmania 7331 . phone/fax (03) 6458 2032 . email: info@atvdlstanley.com.au





What now? (there are so many possibilities) STANLEY The historic town of Stanley sits on the tip of the peninsula that juts into Bass Strait in far North-Western Tasmania. The buildings of the town huddle under an ancient flat-topped rocky outcrop or volcanic plug called "The Nut". Take the path or the chairlift to the top of the 152 metre headland and enjoy wonderful views up and down the coast. Stanley was established in the early 1800s as the headquarters for the Van Dieman's Land Company which sought to establish a fine merino wool industry as well as grazing operations. Highfield Historic Site, just outside Stanley, includes the homestead built in 1837 for the company, together with workers' cottages, barns and stables. Tours operate daily, or for the brave hearted, ghost tours of the site operate after dark. Stanley has been declared a historic town. In the wharf area are several historic buildings. In Marine Park is the former Van Diemen's Land Company Store, now @ VDL Stanley. In Alexander Terrace is the childhood home of Stanley's most famous son, Joseph Lyons, Australian Prime Minister from 1932 – 1939 and the only Tasmanian to hold this office. The Discovery Centre Folk Museum is packed with displays relating to the area's history. There are several art and craft galleries in Stanley, showcasing the best of Tasmanian art and craft. The Nut is a State Reserve and is a haven for migratory birds such as shearwaters and orange bellied parrots, as well as kestrels, falcons and small colonies of fairy penguins. The best time to see the fairy penguins is in the early evening at dusk, when the little birds return to their burrows after a day at sea. Seals can also be seen in the waters off the Nut. Stanley Seaquarium on Fisherman's Dock has a wide variety of Tasmanian sealife on display. Things to do:
	Historic buildings - in the wharf area: bluestone bond store, Van Dieman's Land Co. Store, Poet's Cottage (at the base of The Nut), Lyons Cottage in Alexander Tce, Union Hotel (1849), Commercial Hotel (1842) .
	Arts and Crafts - at Stanley Art Works, Discovery Centre Folk Museum, Touchwood.
	Climb The Nut - a huge flat-topped circular headland that dominates the town. The Stanley Nut 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 (500 feet) above sea level. It is now a state reserve and has a range of bird life including Short Tailed Shearwater (mutton bird), Nankeen Kestrel, Peregrine Falcons, Silver Gulls, Little Penguins and Orange Bellied Parrots. Visitors to the Nut can 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 along the way and then take the leisurely ride back down to the bottom.
	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 9.7metre motor cruiser, Jameson Rose, takes you just one kilometer 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, Oyster catchers and Pacific Gulls. Because it is not a breeding ground, the boat can be up to two meters 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.
	Stanley Historic Tours - This guided tour takes about 1.5 - 2 hours and takes you through the historic village of Stanley. The walk itself is easy or the guide is happy to drive with you in your car to provide the same tour in the event of wet weather. You'll hear about the shipwrecks and the people who pioneered Stanley. As you walk along you can also admire the cottage gardens and see inside the historic churches.
	Joseph Lyons Cottage - The birthplace of Joseph A. Lyons who was born in 1879 and is Tasmania's only Prime Minister of Australia. The house is furnished in the style of the 1930's era and also displays memorabilia and photographs of the life and times of Joe Lyons, located next door.
	Stanley Discovery Museum and Genealogy Centre - Located in what used to be the Parish Hall for St Paul's Church, the Discovery Museum was established in 1973 as an exhibition to take the visitor on a journey into Stanley's past with relics, antiques, memorabilia, photographs, documents and a genealogy centre providing information from 1805 to the mid 1900's.
	Touchwood Craft Gallery & Coffee Shop - a charming stone building with views out over Sawyer Bay from the coffee shop. Touchwood offers a unique menu including local seafood such as Tassie scallops and crayfish, as well as a wide range of home baked cakes that can be had with a fresh grinders coffee. The Craft Gallery specialises in fine Tasmanian crafts, some exclusive only to Touchwood and also including crafts local artists.
	Seaquarium - The Stanley Seaquarium is located at the Fisherman's Docks just around the corner from the VDL and is great for the family or anyone interested in marine life. There is a wide range of sea creatures that live in Tasmanian waters such as the octopus, crayfish, king crab, different species of shark, a variety of scalefish and much more. Also something fun for the kids, a touch pool with hermit crabs and other friendly creatures the kids can pick up and observe. There is also cooked crayfish available to buy and fresh Tassie scallops.
In the area.
	Highfield Historic Site - Highfield Historic Site was built from 1832 to 1835 for the chief agent of the Van Diemen's Company. The State Government purchased the house in the early 1980's when it was in a dilapidated state. Today the house has been restored and invites visitors to look through the beautiful old building and grounds, read the interpretation and ask the guides for any information about the early history of Stanley. The site also offers a guided tour at night. So 'dare to visit' and step back in time, listen to stories of past occupants who lived and worked in the area and some convict stories. Enjoy some spooky stories collected from staff, local legend and visitors to the site over the years.
	Dip Falls & the Big Tree - Parking is right at the falls and from there visitors can take a short walk down to the base of the falls and observe the unique rock formation. There is also a platform across the bridge where an unsurpassed view looks out over the top of the falls. A further kilometre past the bridge there is the Big Tree that grows in the wet eucalypt forest all this only 35 minutes from the VDL.
	Rocky Cape National Park - The park is on the north coast between Stanley and Wynyard and covers 3,064 hectares (7,572 acres). It has a rugged coastline with small sheltered beaches and is backed by hills that give sweeping views over Bass Strait. The rocks are Proterozoic, 1,200 million to 700 million years old, with quartzite the most dominant. This area was the homeland of the Aboriginal Rar.rer.loi.he.ner band and great deal has been learnt about the lives of ancient Aborigines by studying the caves in the area.
	Lacrum Dairy - with milking demonstrations .
	Wilderness to West Coast Tours - The new 'Dismal Swamp and West Coast Tour' includes pick up from your accommodation, a tour of Highfield Historic Site, lunch at Dismal Swamp, the west coast beaches and 'Edge of the World' at Arthur River, through the South Arthur Forest Reserves and afternoon tea at Allendale Gardens. 'Wilderness to West Coast Full Day 4 Wheel Drive Tour' is a luxury 4 wheel drive tour that includes a gourmet cooked lunch with Tasmanian wines and cheeses and walks with a knowledgeable guide through the South Arthur Forest Reserves: The Milkshakes, Lake Chisholm and Julius River. Then the tour goes out to the rugged wild west coast for some four wheel driving and magnificent scenery.
	Dismal Swamp - A visit to Stanley would not be complete without dropping in to the latest forest attraction of Dismal Swamp, 45km south-west of Stanley. Covering an area of 600 hectares, Dismal Swamp is believed to be the only sinkhole (a basin-shaped depression) in the world that encloses a dense blackwood forest. This powerful experience is a journey of self-discovery into the mystery of the sinkhole, the swamp at its centre and the Tasmanian art it gave birth to. If you are a thrill-seeker, swoop down to the swamp floor on the 110-metre slide; otherwise walk or take a buggy ride via maze-like paths that meander across the sinkhole floor. The stylish Visitor Centre serves delicious meals and beverages, and features stunning views of the blackwood swamp from a cantilevered look-out.
	Tarkine - The Tarkine is a large wilderness area in the far north-west of Tasmania. It is a special place with large tracts of rainforest, numerous wild rivers, big bare mountains, vast coastal heathlands, and extensive sand dunes and Aboriginal middens fronting Tasmania's wild west coast. This wilderness covers some 450 000 hectares. The Tarkine is bounded roughly by the West Coast, the Arthur River to the north, the Pieman River to the south, and the Murchison Highway to the east. The area takes its name from the Tarkiner people who inhabited the region between 175 and about 30 000 years ago.
	Arthur River Cruises - In the wild and remote far north of Tasmania’s west coast is the Arthur River, flowing through tall eucalypt forests and rainforests to the sea. On the border of the Arthur-Pieman Protected Area, the tiny Arthur River settlement is the starting point for 4WD beach and forest explorations and cruises on the lower reaches of the river, viewing wildlife and sea birds. There are facilities for camping, picnics and barbecues. Beyond Arthur River is the Western Explorer route, an adventurous journey on gravel roads to reach Corinna on the Pieman River, just over 100 km south. Reach Arthur River by taking the A2 for 50 km beyond Smithton to Marrawah (great surfing and beach walks) then continue on gravel roads 14 km further south.
	South Arthur Forest - South of Stanley, the C218 winds deep into the rainforests and eucalypt forests. Milkshake Hills, Lake Chisholm and Julius River Forest Reserves have good picnic facilities and short walks.
	Black River Picnic Area - A relaxing and secluded barbeque area surrounded by forest is located on either side of the Black River. It is a great for swimming and fishing for black fish and trout. Visitors can cross the river in a 4WD if the water is shallow enough, and travel on to Mawbanna and Dip Falls on a gravel road.
	Penguin & Platypus Tours This tour can be two separate tours with visitors choosing either penguin or platypus or they can take a combined tour and see both. On the platypus tour visitors are picked up from their accommodation and taken to a private property, where there is a family of five platypus living in their natural environment. After the platypus tour visitors can continue on the tour and go to the penguin rookery at the base of the nut where there is a small colony of penguins.
	Surfing - We surf all year round in Tasmania and if you like the idea of plenty of uncrowded breaks with clean, powerful waves, you’ll get a buzz out of Tassie surfing. One of the best things about surfing in Tasmania is as long as you’re willing to travel you will always find a great ride. Marrawah’s big Southern Ocean groundswells challenge the best. Bring your wetsuit - like anywhere else in southern Australia, you’ll need it.
	Golf - Scottish settlers played Australia’s first round of golf in the 1830s at Bothwell, where the nation’s oldest course hosts a fascinating range of memorabilia at the Australasian Golf Museum. Have you ever played on a golf course that is nestled beneath a 150 meter extinct volcano or along one of Tasmania’s most beautiful beaches? Stanley is home to one of Tasmania’s greenest greens and roughest roughs. There are more than 80 club courses welcome visiting members throughout Tasmania.
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