Things to do in Stanley Tasmania
The Poets Cottage is the right choice for visitors who are searching for a combination of charm, peace,
quiet and a convenient position from where to explore surroundings.
Eating
The Brown Dog – a delightful cafe and gifts shop ideal for coffee/tea, cakes, light lunches and Tasmanian ice creams.
The Stanley Pub – serves excellent award winning lunches and dinners – so popular, booking is a must.
The Stanley Sea food shop – offers great Fish and Chips and Tasmanian Ice creams – Fresh from the boat fish and seafood can also be bought for home cooking.
Marleys – a popular venue serving, eclectic and great, breakfasts and lunches.
Touchwood – an intimate cafe serving breakfasts lunches and afternoon teas, with gorgeous views over Tatlow’s Beach and the residential town.
The Providore 24 – sports a selection of gourmet foods ideal for the grazing platter from Tasmanian Cheeses, Pate’s and condiments, as well as a good gift shop and wonderful original fashion items.
The Nut Cafe – sitting beneath the Chairlift up at the Nut parking lot, is this cafe serving morning teas and light lunches, as well as a good gift/souvenir shop.
The Mariner Rose – book a High Tea to enjoy in the front parlour of another BnB in the heart of Stanley – 0431 968 763
Drinking
Of course, there’s the Stanley Pub where one can always catch up with the local fishing community and townspeople . Attached to the Pub is a beautiful cellar selling Tasmanian and other wines and spirits.
The Angel’s Share is a town must see and do. One can taste a big and rare selection of Tasmanian Whiskies and Gins, and there is the added benefit of bespoke shopping items of clothing and accessories.
The Tasmanian Wine Bar is a Stanley gem and well worth a visit. An evening here will be stored in the memory banks forever. It is unique and the hosts are delightful as they serve you an excellent selection of Tasmanian wine and whisky.
Shopping
Other than those already mentioned;
The Stanley Art gallery – next door to the Brown Dog – boasts some beautiful original artworks.
The Stanley Hotel shop – sells clothing and accessories.
Sticks & Stones Shells & Bones – next door to Marley’s – sells exactly these items for collectors.
The Craft Shop – part of the Town Hall – provides an outlet for local handcrafts and lovely gift ideas.
Places to visit Stanley Tasmania
Highfield House
Edward Curr, the Agent for the Van Diemen’s Land Company, established Highfield as his family residence. Construction began in 1832 and finished in 1838. Assigned convicts and indentured servants-45 men, 11 women, and 25 children-built outbuildings like The Chapel, stables, and cottages, completing major works in 1841. Visitors can still see the remains of the convict barracks and the two entrance portals to an original deer park on the grounds. Highfield boasts unbeatable views of The Nut and offers plenty of photo opportunities at other nearby vantage points as well.
The Nut
Walking around the Nut offers a fantastic experience, with spectacular views stretching across the Stanley peninsula and out to the Flinders islands. If you want to skip the steep climb or descent, take the chair lift in either direction or mix and match by walking one way and riding the other. The top circuit features gentle undulations and is manageable for most visitors, making the panoramic scenery accessible to all.
Penguins
Stanley’s Fairy Penguin colony is a local treasure, and the specially built Penguin Viewing platform makes watching them easy. In the evening, wrap up warmly and grab one of our red lighting torches to head down to Godfrey’s Beach at dusk. With some quiet patience, you’ll watch Fairy Penguins waddle ashore after a day’s fishing, feed their chicks, and settle into their burrows for the night. The peak season for sightings runs from September to March, but your hosts can usually help you spot penguins year-round.
Historic Walking Tour
Starting at The Wharf, you’ll find plaques on the walls of all the historic sites throughout Stanley. Poet’s Cottage is number 2 on this walking tour. Each plaque shares the origin, history, and stories of the building and its former inhabitants. By scanning the barcode on each plaque, you can listen to detailed histories and fascinating tales as you explore.
Whales
Whales are sighted in both of Stanley’s picturesque bays. Our most recent sightings in August 2023, were thought to be a Southern Right mother about to calf.
And in August 2024, two Orca’s were sighted swimming around The Nut.
Cruises
Brown Sugar Cruises – offer Day and Sunset cruises from Stanley
40 South Charters – offer fishing charters and cruises to Three Hummock Island and Seal Island
