Stanley is a great place to base yourself to explore Tasmania 's north west coast. 

The links below provide suggestions of different ways to see some of our area and suggestions for things to do between Stanley , Devonport and Launceston , and between Stanley and Strahan.

1. Arrive in the afternoon and leave the next day : 

Exit our driveway to the right, follow the scenic drive around the "Green Hills" to Highfield Historic Site. Spend up to 1 hour there then keep following the road into Stanley. Take your first left, drive past Godfrey's Beach up to the base of The Nut. Take the chairlift up The Nut and stroll around the walking track on the top to admire the panoramic views. You may like to have afternoon tea at the Nut Rock Café or take a picnic snack with you. 

Drive down to the main street and take in the charm of the historic village. Continue along Alexander Terrace onto the water front, have alook at the fishing marina and the Seaquarium and then return to Stanley Seaview Inn. 

You may like to experience an evening platypus and/or penguin tour. 

Next morning - drive along the water front to the wharf area and visit the Stanley Seaquarium or take a 1 ½ hour cruise around the Nut to visit the local seal colony. Enjoy a tasty morning tea or lunch at Touchwood Café and brows Stanley Artworks Gallery before you leave Stanley. 

2. Arrive, stay 2 or more nights and leave the next day : 
For you first and last days in Stanley - follow suggested itinerary no. 1. For the full days you have in between, choose from the following rewarding day long experiences: 

a) Take a full day guided tour of Woolnorth & the Hydro Wind Farm, or just take the morning tour and continues south for a nice drive to Marrawah. Lunch at the local country pub then visit the famous surf at Greens Beach. Continue onto Arthur River and take a short walk at "the edge of the world" look out. Drive back to Stanley via Dismal Swamp. 

b) Drive to the rugged West coast and take the 6 hour cruise into the Tarkine wilderness, up the Arthur River. Take in the view from "the edge of the world" lookout (next country is South America), before returning to Stanley via Dismal Swamp. 

c) Join Wilderness West Coast Tours for an informative guided 4 W/D tour south through Lileah to "The Milkshakes, Lake Chisholm and on to the massive sand dunes of the west coast, before returning to Stanley via Marrawah (you can drive this route yourself - we do not recommend driving on sand dunes). 

d) Relax, enjoy a peaceful day in historic Stanley without spending all day in the car driving. Look around the town's craft shops and galleries. Walk around and admire one of Australia's best preserved pre 1850's townships. Have a fantastic long lunch at Touchwood Cafe.

Stanley, on Tasmania's North West Coast , is the perfect place to base yourself to explore the fabled Tarkine wilderness . There are no distinct boundaries that define The Tarkine , though it is generally accepted that it is the area bordered between the Arthur River to the north, the Pieman River to the south, the rugged coast line to the west, and the Murchison Highway to the east. 

There are four different types of area that make up The Tarkine

1. Undisturbed rainforest wilderness
2. Coastal wilderness
3. Working forests
4. Inhabited areas 

Whilst the vast majority of the Tarkine is true wilderness (unaffected by humans), it is important to realise that there are also quite a number of "shack" settlements, remnants of old mining operations, current mining operations and a significant amount of working forests. 

Suggested touring itinerary 
Stanley - west coast - South Arthur Forest Drive - Stanley 

Fill your car with petrol and take yourself a picnic with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. The suggested itinerary below is a good 5 to 6 hours touring. This time does not include visiting places marked with * below. If you choose to visit those extra places, you need to allow the indicated extra time. 

1. Leave Stanley and drive west along the A2. After approximately 40 minutes you will come to the driveway of Tarkine Forest Adventures - Dismal Swamp*. This is a very worth while attraction to visit, but you should allow about an hour or so. 

2. Continue west along the A2. After 10 minutes, you will come to a "T section". Turn left and drive south along the C 214. 

3. After a couple minutes, you will be enter the Arthur Pieman Conservation Area. 10 minutes later you will arrive at the Arthur River. Cross the bridge and take the 2nd turn to the right. Drive to the end of this road until you come to the car park at "The Edge Of The World". Follow the short board walk out to the viewing platforms. This is a spectacular place to witness the Arthur river flow into turbulent Indian Ocean and see the huge wave's crash up against the rocks. The rougher the weather, the better!!! It is also nice to take a walk along the beach here. Back near the car park, is a picnic area, which is a great place for morning tea. You may want to use the toilet here as it will be a while before you come across another one. 

The Edge Of The World - video clip (3Mb)


4. Return to the C 214 turn right and continue south. This is the beginning of the intermittent gravel roads. Don't worry though - they are perfectly fine to drive on, even in small cars. Just drive slower and take extra care. 

5. After about 10 minutes, if you would like to witness more of the wild west coast, you could take a right hand turn into Sundown Point. This is a small "shack settlement" right on the rocky shores. It is also a significant place in the history of the Tarkiner people. Return to the C 214. 

6. About 10 minutes further south, you can turn right again and drive to Couta Rocks. Here you can see a cove surrounded by Cray fisherman and abalone diver's shacks. Couta rocks provides shelter from the open ocean, for the fisherman to more their boats, or pull them up on the slip out of the water with their "vintage" tractors. Return to the C 214. 

7. Follow the C 214 to the east for approximately 45 minutes, until you arrive at "Julius River Reserve". (The C 214 turns into the C218 at the Kunnunah bridge). This is a nice place to have lunch (there is also a bush toilet here). After lunch you have two walks though the rain forest to choose from. You could take the ½ hour which starts off following the Julius River, before turning up a small hill and returning to the car park. You could choose to take the 1 hour return walk through the rain forest to the sink hole. Picnic and bush walk at Julius River - video clip (4Mb)

8. You could continue east along the C 218 for another 20 minutes or so to Lake Chisholm*. Here you can take another walk through the rainforest, ending at the banks of this magnificent sink hole. 

9. You could continue further east to the Milk Shakes Forest Reserve*. NOTE that the Tayatea bridge has been washed away. If you do venture as far east as The Milk Shakes, you will have to retrace your steps back to the Kunnanah Bridge. The Milk Shakes is another very nice patch of rainforest with a walk along a small creek and up onto a button grass covered hill where you can take in a very nice view over the surrounding area. 

10. Turn back and drive west along the C 218 to the Sumac Lookout. This is a 2 minute walk from the roadside, and offers a spectacular view down a deep rain forest valley and a couple of bends in the Arthur River. 

11. Continue a couple more minutes west to the Kunnunah bridge. Drive across to the northern side and park at the picnic area. Take a walk across the bridge and back again. When you get back on the northern side of the bridge, there is a track to the right which leads down the river edge. This is a nice place for afternoon tea, and is the end of South Arthur Forest drive. 

12. Drive north along the C 214 for approximately 30 minutes though Edith Creek and Irishtown, back to the A2. Turn right and drive 15 minutes back to Stanley. 

1. After driving 5 minutes to the east along the A2, turn right on to the C225 until you see the sign on the right to "Water Wheel Creek" (Approx. 25 mins.). 

2. Take the guided tour of this fantastic forest heritage experience and morning tea (Approx. 60 mins.). 

3. Turn right out of Water Wheel Creek, and continue to Dip Falls. Walk 5 minutes down to the base of the falls - be careful on the slippery rocks. Go back up to the car park, walk across the bridge and up the road a hundred metres or so. Take the short track to the right to a viewing platform above the waterfalls. Walk back to your car. You may like to continue (in your car) one kilometre up the road to "The Big Tree". There you will find a short walk through the rain forest to one of the biggest trees you'll see anywhere (Approx. 60 mins.). 

4. From dip falls - drive back toward the West (the direction you came from). Turn right on to Newhaven Road to Montumana and then turn right onto the Montumana Rd. Continue a couple more km's until you reach the A2- turn right (Approx. 30 mins.). 

5. Drive until you come to the turn to the left on to Tollymore Rd (just after Boat Harbour); take the scenic drive along "Table Cape". When you come to the "T intersection" - turn left and drive to the lookout and along Lighthouse Rd to the light house. Return back via Table Cape Rd. and follow the signs to "Wynyard" (Approx. 60 mins.). 

6. Drive East out of Wynyard's main street and turn right on to Mount Hick Rd. Follow the signs along the B26 to Yolla. This is where you join onto the A10 and continue South (Approx. 60 mins). 

7. After driving to the bottom of "Hellyer Gorge", cross the river and stop at the rest area on the right. If you have some picnic supplies - this is a fantastic place! Take the 10 minute walk through the rain forest and along the rivers edge. 

8. Continue South to Strahan via Rosebery and Zeehan. There are a couple of nice lookouts and places to stop beside the road along the way (Approx. 100 mins).

1. After driving 5 minutes to the east along the A2, turn right on to the C225 until you see the sign on the right to "Water Wheel Creek" (Approx. 25 mins.). 

2. Take the guided tour of this fantastic forest heritage experience and morning tea (Approx. 60 mins.). 

3. Turn right out of Water Wheel Creek, and continue to Dip Falls. Walk 5 minutes down to the base of the falls - be careful on the slippery rocks. Go back up to the car park, walk across the bridge and up the road a hundred metres or so. Take the short track to the right to a viewing platform above the waterfalls. Walk back to your car. You may like to continue (in your car) one kilometre up the road to "The Big Tree". There you will find a short walk through the rain forest to one of the biggest trees you'll see anywhere (Approx. 60 mins.). 

4. From dip falls - drive back toward the West (the direction you came from). Turn right on to Newhaven Road to Montumana and then turn right onto the Montumana Rd. Continue a couple more km's until you reach the A2- turn right (Approx. 30 mins.). 

5. Drive until you come to the turn to the left on to Tollymore Rd (just after Boat Harbour); take the scenic drive along "Table Cape". When you come to the "T intersection" - turn left and drive to the lookout and along Lighthouse Rd to the light house. Return back via Table Cape Rd. and follow the signs to "Wynyard" (Approx. 60 mins.). 

6. Follow the signs through "Wynyard" and on to Burnie. A few km's past McDonalds (at the Eastern end of the huge factory), turn right on to Old Surrey Rd. Immediately on the right is "Creative Paper" which makes a range of products out of hand made paper - worth a look. 

7. Continue along Old Surrey Rd. a couple more Km's to "Lactos" cheese factory. If you like cheese - this is a must! (Approx. 30 mins.) 

8. Just next door to the cheese factory is "Hellyers Road Distillery". This is a very nice place and very much worth a visit if you are interested in tasting whiskey and seeing how it is made. Regardless of your desire for whiskey - this is a very nice place for a coffee or lunch. 

9. Return to the A2 and continue until the 2nd round about where you can turn to the left and leave the highway. Follow Preservation Drive through "Penguin" and "Ulverstone". This is a spectacular coastal drive. Follow the signs in Ulverstone back on to the A2 (Approx. 30 mins.) 

10. Drive past Devonport and just before Latrobe, you will come to "Anvers Chocolate Factory". Unless you really don't like sweet things - this is an absolute "must do". Taste a whole range of Belgian style delicacies (Approx. 20 mins.) 

11. Further along the A2, "Ashgrove Cheese Farm" is well worth a visit (if you can stomach more fantastic cheeses). A little bit further along the highway, you will find "ETC" - a fantastic bakery and café. Just a little bit further is "Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm". This is also a very nice place for lunch and or picking up some delectable Tasmanian made sweets (Approx. 25 mins.). 

12. Continue along the A2 to Launceston (Approx. 25 mins.).

Three day Tour of Northern Tasmania 

Launceston – Stanley – Cradle Mountain - Launceston

Day 1

1. Depart Launceston heading West along the A2.
2. After approximately 40 minutes - turn left at Elizabeth Town onto the B13 and drive approximately 30 minutes to Sheffield.  Stop here for morning tea and wander the main street admiring the many murals.
3. Follow the C136 and then the C132 for approximately 1 hour to Cradle Mountain.  There you have a choice of :
   1. Walk around Lake Dove ( 2 hrs)
   2. Walk to the Wombat Pools (30 mins)
   3. Weindorfers forest walk (10 mins)
   4. Lunch at the Tavern at Cradle Mountain Lodge
   5. The Wilderness Photographic Gallery at Cradle Mountain Chateau
   6. Follow the C132 for approximately 20 minutes.  Turn right onto the A10 and drive North for approximately 30 minutes to Yolla.  Turn left and follow the B26 for approximately 30 minutes to rejoin the A2, South of Wynyard. 
   7. Follow the A2 for approximately 40 mins, then turn right on the B21 and drive a further 5 mins to Stanley.

 Day 2

1. Choice of :
   1. A relaxing day in Stanley : Take the chairlift up The Nut, Seal Cruise, Seaquarium, Highfield Historic site, browse shops, galleries and café’s.
   2. Explore the Tarkine: Pack a picnic and set out for the day following the “South Arthur Forest Drive”.  This is 5 – 7 hours (depending on length of stops) and takes in the rugged West coast and sections of the Northern reaches of the renowned Tarkine rain forest
   3. Arthur River Cruise: Departs the Arthur River township, 1 hour drive West of Stanley.  The cruise is a five hour return trip up one of Tasmania’s great rivers, into the Tarkine wilderness.  It includes lunch and the opportunity to take a walk of up to an hour in the untouched rainforest.

Day 3

1. Depart Stanley, via the B21 and on to the A2.  After approximately 5 minutes, turn right on to the C225.  Drive south for approximately 20 minutes until you come to Water Wheel Creek Timber Heritage Experience, on the right hand side. Allow approximately 1 hour to take the guided tour.
2. Continue along C225 for another 10 minutes to Dip Falls.
3. Drive back along the C225 for approximately 10 minutes, and then turn right on to the gravel road to Montumana.  Drive approximately 20 mins and turn right on to the A2.
4. Follow the A2 for approximately 10 minutes and turn left onto the C234.  Follow the signs to the Table Cape Light House and Table Cape lookout.  Then continue along the C234 intoWynyard and along the coast which will then merge onto the A2.
5. Drive 10 mins along the A2 to Burnie.  Here you may choose to visit the “Makers Workshop” (on the highway) and then have lunch at one of several eateries along the beach.
6. Continue 5 more minutes along the A2 and turn right on to the C112.  Drive 5 minutes until Lactos Cheese factory and Hellyers Road whisky distillery are on your left hand side.  The whiskey distillery is also a nice place for lunch.
7. Return to the A2 and turn right.  Drive for approximately 5 minutes and turn left on to theC240, following the old coast road through Penguin and Ulverstone, before rejoining the A2again on the Eastern side of Ulverstone.
8. Follow the A2 for 20 minutes until Anvers Chocolate Factory is on your right hand side.  Then a further 20 minutes to Ashgrove Farm Cheese, and then 5 minutes to the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm.  This is a great place to stop for afternoon tea.
9. Follow the A2 for 40 minutes back to Launceston.