Top Towns for 2022: The bewitching seaside town of Stanley awaits

Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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The picturesque port town of Stanley in Tasmania’s far north-west is rich in history, natural beauty and a bounty of produce harvested from land and sea. Here, we explore the town’s highlights to uncover why Stanley landed at no. 50 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

Stanley is no stranger to accolades

A sleepy fishing hamlet flanked by sweeping green hillsides and known for its wild seascapes, Stanley was crowned Tassie’s Top Tourism Town for 2021.

Its heritage streetscape with chocolate box weatherboards looks straight out of a movie set (and in fact it is: the town was transformed into a romantic period backdrop for the 2016 film The Light Between Oceans).

Stanley streetscapes
Drop anchor in the sleepy hamlet of Stanley.

It is within reach of Launceston

The three-hour scenic drive to get here from Launceston cuts through countryside and follows the coast road along the shores of Bass Strait before reaching the far northwest; don’t resist the temptation to pitstop in equally delightful towns like Penguin.

And once you’ve dropped anchor in Stanley, set like a tiny jewel beneath the remains of an ancient volcanic plug, it’s time to slow right down.

The town oozes country charm and history

Stroll the streets and breathe in the spike of sea salt in the air; check into heritage digs like Ship Inn Stanley (for a boutique stay) or Stanley Hotel (for a classic pub stay); walk or take the chairlift to the top of The Nut; explore the region’s history at Joe Lyons Cottage or Highfield Historic Site; and discover the takayna/Tarkine wilderness on the town’s doorstep.

The Highfield Historic Site and The Nut in Stanley
Highfield Historic Site looks over The Nut.

It has plenty of edible delights

The region is known for its rich, red soils and bounty of prime produce – from premium beef to seafood direct from the source – so a visit to Stanley is also about eating well and fresh.

The inaugural Stanley & Tarkine Forage Festival , 11–20 November, consolidates and celebrates this through special foodie events like five-course dinners, foreshore feasts, oyster experiences, tasting trails and the chance to meet local makers.

Stanley oyster farms
Visit oyster farms and more as part of the Stanley & Tarkine Forage Festival.

Local makers share their tips

Among the local makers you might meet is Seoul-born Sue Glynn, who, along with her husband Tom, grows organic veggies and turns them into kimchi at KimchiMe Tasfresh Organic Farm , 10 minutes’ drive from town in Wiltshire.

Sue Glynn KimchiMe Tasfresh Organic Farm
Sue Glynn turns homegrown organic veggies into kimchi.

Catch Sue’s kimchi-making workshop during the festival at Stanley Town Hall or stop by their farm-gate shop. While you’re in town, she also recommends penguin viewing, having a picnic on top of The Nut, exploring Stanley Port, 4WD-ing on East Inlet and driving or walking to West Inlet at sunset.

Local abalone producer Joel Gilby
Local abalone producer Joel Gilby of Three Friends Abalone.

Or Joel Gilby, who produces Three Friends Abalone – some of the world’s best thanks to clean air and cold, crisp water straight from Antarctica – with mates Shane Smith and Tom Peddie; look out for their product on local menus. “It is a great community," Joel says of living in this tiny historic coastal town. “We love raising a family here with a small school, football club, golf course and beautiful beaches."

Beaches in Stanley Tasmania
Beaches in Tasmania’s north-west are wonderfully windswept.

Looking for cowrie shells on Top Beach is among his picks for things every visitor must do, and his local’s tip – a short, 15-minute drive from town to go off the beaten track and explore the secluded Black River Picnic Area (Spion Kop).

Explore more of Tasmania’s North West in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.
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5 of the best day trips from Hobart

    Rachel LayBy Rachel Lay
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    Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

    In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

    Where to stay

    Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

    For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

    For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

    A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart.
    Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

    1. Bruny Island

    Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

    Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

    Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

    Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island.
    Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

    2. Mount Wellington

    At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

    Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

    For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

    No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington
    Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

    2. Port Arthur

    Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

    The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

    Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

    The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area.
    Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

    3. Launceston

    You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

    Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

    Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

    Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

    4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

    Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

    Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

    Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart.
    Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

    Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

    Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

    Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart.
    Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

    Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .