Stanley is located on the north western edge of Tasmania, 22 kilometres from Smithton and 127 kilometres from Devonport. It was named after the secretary of State for colonies in 1840.

The first investigations into the potential of the area for settlement were carried out in 1823-24. When the Van Diemens Land Company(PEP) was granted permission to cultivate lands and breed sheep in 1825, they decided to establish their headquarters at Stanley, and Highfield was duly completed in 1835. To this day the Company still has land in the area at nearby Woolnorth.

The last family of Tasmanian Aboriginals was discovered in the area known as Circular Head (today called The Nut) in 1842. Development and sale of lands began in the same year, as the township of Stanley was proclaimed.

Three years later Stanley had its first official post office. The first settlers arrived on the Tranmere which departed England on the 21st of April 1826, calling at George Town for supplies before leaving for Stanley in October of that year.

One of the first pre-fabricated buildings in Australia was St James' Presbyterian Church, built in 1853 from sections shipped from London, England. For many years Stanley was the only port of entry on the north west coast, and the Marine Board was founded here in 1868.

The first coach service linking Stanley to Burnie began in the 1880s with the completion of a road, and the journey took about 7 hours. A rail line was opened in 1911 between the town and Trowutta, and it was extended in 1922 to include links to Myalla and finally to Hobart. Construction of the Town Hall also began in 1911.

In the 1920s the Van Diemens Land Company(PEP) moved their headquarters to Smithton. Today Stanley has retained much of its Olde Worlde character, as the historic buildings and wild scenic beauty will confirm. Farming remains one of the mainstays of the economy, and the area has some of the finest agricultural land in all of Tasmania.

Stanley is also well known for being the birth place of Australia's only Tasmanian-born Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons. The Lyons home can still be seen in Stanley today.


Natural Attractions

The main attraction in Stanley is The Nut, situated in The Nut State Reserve. Circular Head was named here by Bass(PEP) and Flinders(PEP) in 1798, a spectacular outcrop of rock that is 150 metres high and dominating the coastal view for several kilometres. A walking track commences from the Post Office, and the less energetic can avail of the chair lift to the summit where magnificent views await.

A spectacular forest drive to Smithton incorporates forest views and farmland scenes. Coastal scenery can be admired on a drive through the Highfield estate to Green Hills.

Beautiful beaches for swimming, sunbathing and strolling along are near at hand.

Museums and Historic sites

The town has many buildings of historic interest, including the Plough Inn, the Old Commercial Hotel and the former schoolhouse which has been restored by the National Trust. One of Australia's former Prime Ministers, Joseph Lyons was born in Lyons Cottage in the town, which is used as a private residence to this day.

An old cemetery at the base of the Nut is the final resting place of many pioneers and early settlers, including John Lee Archer the architect and Henry Hellyer the explorer. The Discovery Folk Centre Museum documents the early history of Stanley and district. Tours of the Highfield Historic Site are recommended.

European Train World is located in the Old Bay View Hotel, and should be visited by train enthusiasts.

Other Attractions

Visitors can inspect the local fish processing plant and can purchase delicious, freshly caught crayfish, a speciality of Tasmania. The Circular Head Arts Festival takes place each September, and should not be missed if you are in the area. Arts activities include Blundstone boot sculpture displays, festival markets, and a junior art competition, and various fun activities such as camel rides, vintage car and Harley Davidson motorbike displays are available.

Tennis and golf can be played here, and excellent beach and river fishing abounds in the area. Morgan's Harley Tours operate from Stanley, and travel to various natural attractions in the region.

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