Walking through the tiny town of Stanley draws out raw emotions – ones you didn’t even know were hidden just beneath the surface. Tiny colourful cottages line the toy-town-like streets, a foreground to the rocky escarpment beyond. Sweeping views of the Bass Strait sit just below. Stories of the early settlers are woven throughout the town. You realise that in this moment, you are simply a tiny grain of sand on a timeline that’s still unfolding. It’s like a postcard from the past – a town frozen in time – beauty so magnificent you cannot question a higher power.
It is enough to quite literally bring a tear to your eye.
This quaint historical fishing town, a 2.5 hour drive from Launceston, was established in 1826 by the Van Diemen’s Land (VDL) Company as a critical early Port for the region – a perfect base for the early settlers and their families with its deep water harbour and vast pastoral lands.
Today, it’s known for its fresh seafood, raw and rocky escarpment, historical village and sense of peacefulness that’s becoming increasingly hard to find.
Here’s how to spend 48 hours in the second-last major township on Tasmania’s north-west coast.
Where to Stay: A Story You Can Sleep In
There’s no shortage of accommodation options in this storied coastal town, but if you want to experience it in a way you’ll never forget, there’s one place that stands out, seamlessly pairing luxury with history, with an ongoing story etched into every detail.
Stanley Wharf has always been the heart of this tiny town. Goods were shipped in and out, and people arrived and departed by boat. With the weather rarely predictable, a solid stone storehouse stood watch over produce waiting for its next journey. That building, known as The Bond Store, still stands watch today. 160 years on, it has entered its most remarkable chapter yet; reimagined as a luxury retreat for travellers seeking a deep connection to place.
The Bond Store certainly carries that connection. Owners Julian and Tracey Jacobs are sixth-generation descendants of Captain John Jacobs, Master Mariner for the VDL Company.
When it came to restoring the building, they felt a calling and a clear sense of responsibility for preserving its past. Master stonemason Josh O’Connor spent a year carefully repairing and repointing the walls by hand, using traditional lime mortar and cutting new openings into the stone to bring light into the space. Architects David Denman and Associates helped to reimagine a warm, considered interior, while preserving the building’s original soul.
These two new luxury apartments are each set across two levels. Inside, timber flooring and exposed rustic beams nod to the building’s heritage, while warm interiors and considered styling bring an immediate sense of comfort. Both apartments feature full kitchens, wood fireplaces, and deep leather lounges designed for slow, restorative stays.
Port-style windows frame uninterrupted ocean views, bringing the coastline right into the living space. Between May and July, you may even glimpse whales migrating north, while from October to March, you’ll share the shoreline with tiny fairy penguins returning each evening to feed their young.
There’s a private courtyard shared between the two spaces housing a cedar sauna and cold shower for a spa-like experience right outside your door.
Every detail has intention: vintage finds, family heirlooms and Tasmanian artwork are all thoughtfully incorporated to create a space that feels homely and deeply personal. You’re even welcomed with a treasure trove of Tasmanian goodies to enjoy during your stay.
Mornings here are best spent overlooking the ocean, sipping fresh in-house coffee, and taking in the scent of sea salt and wood fire drifting through the air.
What to Do in Stanley
It’s hard to miss ‘The Nut’; the mountain that forms the town’s picture-perfect backdrop. It is in fact the remains of an ancient volcanic plug towering 152 metres above the fishing village.
The Nut provides stunning scenery in and of itself, but the views from the top need to be seen to be believed. There are two ways to reach the summit, and your choice will depend entirely on your appetite for physical activity and your tolerance for heights.
For fitness enthusiasts, there’s a short (450m), but extremely steep hike to the top. Whilst not a long hike, there’s very little flat terrain. Needless to say the calves will get a nice little workout.
If you’d prefer to be delivered to the top in style, you can opt for the chair lift which travels a distance of 250 metres in 5 minutes. This will give you plenty of time to capture stunning shots of the view on the way up – just hold on to your phone or camera! The chairlift operates seven days a week for most of the year, but weather conditions can impact service, so it’s worth checking ahead during periods of strong winds.
Once at the top, take the two kilometre circular track around the mountain and soak up the breathtaking panoramic views of Stanley, the Bass Strait, the rolling farmland and the Rocky Cape National Park. Tread quietly and you’ll notice some Pademelon’s staring at your through the shrubbery.
Breathe deeply; there’s rumours that the air at the top is the cleanest in the world!
The car park for the chairlift and the start of the walking track is located on Browns Road. A fee applies to access the chairlift.
Stanley’s Smallest Locals
The smallest species of Penguins in the world call Stanley home. If you’re staying at The Bond Store, you’re in one of the few places in Tasmania where you’ll be lucky enough to see them up close right on your doorstep.
These little guys have generational ties to this land as well. They swim up to 50km each day, diving to depths of 20-70 metres to find food, then return home under the cloak of darkness, waddling to the shoreline to feed their young back in their burrows.
You can also wander down to Godfrey’s Beach viewing platform to pay them a visit. The purpose-built viewing platform is illuminated with special red lighting designed not to disturb these much-loved locals.
The best time to catch them is between September and March, but if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse beyond the season.
Where to Eat and Drink in Stanley
For a tiny town, there sure is a lot of exploring to do, so you’ll want to fuel up. Luckily there’s no shortage of delicious places to dine.
For breakfast, visit Touchwood Cafe on Church Street. They also do a mean serving of scones for morning tea.
Stop by The Brown Dog for lunch for a comforting toastie or warming soup. If you’re hiking to the top of The Nut, you can grab a rewarding post-hike bite at the Nut Rock Cafe. Pies and Burgers will satisfy you here, followed by a scoop of their delicious lavender ice cream.
For dinner, book a table at the award-winning bistro at The Stanley Hotel. It’s a place that honours the town’s fishing heritage, serving hearty, honest meals that hero the exceptional seafood pulled straight from these waters – think flaky fresh fish, oysters, crayfish and scallops.
The scallop pot pie is a must – freshly caught scallops cooked in a light curry sauce and topped with flaky pastry. And, of course, a side of fries and salad to round it out.
After dinner, head into the front bar for a game of pool or settle in by the fire with a drink in hand, soaking up the warm, easy atmosphere created by the locals.
On night two, head to Hursey Seafoods, a long-time local favourite right on the waterfront. They serve fresh seafood, sourced in the cool Tasmanian waters by their own fleet of boats. Start with fresh Oysters and Sashimi and then dive into the wild-caught seafood platter for two.
Take a Piece of Stanley With You
Is any trip really complete if you don’t take home a keepsake to remember it by? We think not.
Visit The Angel’s Share for premium Tasmanian whiskies and handcrafted giftware. Pick up a piece of Merino knitwear for your wardrobe, or leave with a local gin to sip as you savour the memories.
Take home a taste of Tassie with a visit to Providore 24 – think local cheeses, house-made preserves and artisan chocolates, all perfect for a picnic or a slow graze back at home.
Hot tip: If you’re planning to cook during your stay in Stanley, there is a local grocery store, but stock can be limited and prices are on the higher side. We recommend picking up supplies in Devonport or Burnie as you make your way through.
A Town That Leaves an Imprint
If Tasmania is a treat then Stanley is the cherry on top. It’s raw, beautiful, respectful to the land and its history and still feels like one of the few places left largely untouched. It’s a town shaped by wind, waves, resilience and time. And it will welcome you with open arms.
