Hotels Stanley, Smithton Accommodation, Cottages, Bed and Breakfast

Area:                                                        4917km 2 

Climate:                                                 Cool temperate

LOCATION

Located in far north-west Tasmania Circular Head (Edge of the World) municipality covers an area of 4 917km 2. The municipality gained its name from the unusual land formation commonly known as "the Nut" at Stanley. The solidified lava lake of a long-extinct volcano was sighted by Bass & Flinders on their historic circumnavigation of Tasmania in 1798. 

Our beautiful unspoilt coastline is one of the longest in the State and our rich red-brown fertile soils coupled with a gently undulating landscape  support 32% of Tasmania’s dairy farms – and  for  30% of the year only Antarctica has cleaner air than we do. 

The Edge of the World’s location offers work and lifestyle options second to none. We are located just one hour west of Burnie a city with a major active shipping port and freight rail operations. For those heading to the mainland Burnie-Wynyard Airport provides 55-minute direct flights to Melbourne and beyond.   

With our proximity to one of Tasmania’s largest regional cities the Edge of the World really does provide the best of both worlds whether you’re looking for a sea-change or a tree-change. 

NATURAL RESOURCE POWERHOUSE

Our agricultural land is renowned for its wealth. With just 1.6% of Tasmania's population the Edge of the World is an economic powerhouse accounting for approximately 12% of the State's total annual agricultural production alone contributing almost $100 million a year to the economy.

Commercial fishing in the clean Southern Ocean to our west and Bass Strait to the north  along with aquaculture – in particular rock lobsters  abalone and oysters - also contribute significantly to our economy. 

The Edge of the World is located in north-west Tasmania  one of the most mineral rich areas of the Australian continent and our adjacent Sorrell and Bass Basins are prospective for oil and gas.

For almost 180 years forestry operations have resulted in significant employment and income generation for our people.  Many forested areas are managed for multiple use - not only do we grow special-species timbers for highly-skilled craftsmen and furniture makers  we also have some of the most engaging forest-based recreation opportunities in Tasmania. 

Furthermore from our Leatherwood trees comes the aromatic flavoursome Leatherwood honey a specialty product of our municipality.

The quality of our land and ocean produce is renowned with most exported fresh or frozen to domestic and international markets.

TOWNS AND TOURISM DESTINATIONS

The town of Smithton with some 5000 residents is the regional centre of the Edge of the World. The historic town of Stanley is one of Tasmania’s most popular tourist destinations. Arthur River on the west coast is also a popular destination for both locals and visitors. Other rural townships include Marrawah Irishtown and Edith Creek.

SMITHTON 

Smithton is situated on the Duck River. With approximately 5000 residents it is the largest town and the administrative centre of the Edge of the World.

Smithton provides all the services you would expect in a busy rural centre. Major supermarket chains boutique clothing and footwear stores specialty shops and cafes abound. Smithton also has a medical centre with regular GP services and visiting specialists a hospital two full-service banks and ATM services.

Sporting aficionados are very well catered for. The Community Recreation Centre was built at a cost of more than $2 million and hosts many sporting groups. Smithton also boasts a state-of-the-art Astroturf hockey field catering for local state and national competition.

STANLEY

Established in the early 1800s Stanley’s streetscape is lined with genteel colonial buildings and fine cafes. Stanley is the Edge of the Word’s premier tourism town and a walk down the main street is akin to walking through living history.

Stanley was the base for Van Diemen’s Land Company operations in the region. The VDL Co. itself began in 1825 by Royal Charter under King George IV who granted the company rights to a huge tract of unsettled land in north-west Tasmania. 

Edward Curr the first VDL Co. Chief Agent arrived in Stanley in August 1826 and in October the same year indentured convicts from Hobart stud livestock implements and craftsmen began arriving in the settlement. Over the following decades the VDL Co. surveyed explored and developed north-west Tasmania. 

Looming over the historic town is the affectionately named ‘Nut’ the solidified lava lake of a long extinct volcano. Visitors can walk up a steep challenging path to the summit or take a leisurely chairlift ride. Either way 60-degree views a-wait as far as the eye can see.

SOUTH ARTHUR FOREST DRIVE

The South Arthur Forest Driveis a 60km loop on the Sumac and Rapid River Roads. Visitors will need to put aside half a day to a full day to enjoy all the sights and sounds that the forest walks have to offer. 

Along the drive you can visit the Sumac Lookout with its views of the Arthur River. Further on the Julius River Forest Reserve has a half hour walk through cool temperate rainforest. At Lake Chisholm Forest Reserve a path through majestic old myrtle forest takes you to the flooded limestone sinkhole known as Lake Chisholm. 

The Milkshakes Hills Forest Reserve has both eucalypt forest and rainforest and the energetic are rewarded with great views of the countryside from the top of one of the ‘Milkshakes’. There are also great picnic areas at Kanunnah Bridge and Tayatea Bridge.  Located nearby is the Balfour Track Forest Reserve. The relatively flat walk is three hours return and was cut for packhorses and prospectors at the beginning of the century to access the largely abandoned mining town of Balfour. 

DISMAL SWAMP

Dismal Swamp is a giant Blackwood sinkhole accessible via a 110m slide or a gently sloping pathway. Four boardwalks in the swamp allow visitors to experience different facets of the sinkhole. The huge sinkhole can be viewed from a cantilevered platform or the observation deck which overlooks the treetops. 

Dismal Swamp’s facilities include a café serving Tasmanian food and wine and a gift shop. 

DIP FALLS AND THE BIG TREE

Dip River Forest Reserve is home to the Big Tree and the unusual hexagonal basalt-columns of Dip Falls. There is a short but steep section of steps leading to the base of the falls. The falls are picturesque year-round but especially so after rain. From the picnic area at the top of the falls a viewing platform provides great views over the basalt columns. 

A short gravel path takes visitors to the moss-covered relic of an old boiler which provided steam for the Blackwood sawmill which operated here in the 1920s.

WOOLNORTH & CAPE GRIM

Located at the far north-west tip of Circular Head is the 22 200ha Woolnorth property on which is also located the Roaring 40s Wind Farm and Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station. Cape Grim Station has been measuring global atmospheric composition since 1976.

Four of the last known Thylacines or Tasmanian Tigers were caught at Woolnorth in the early 1900s. The Tigers were later sent to the Domain Zoo in Hobart.

Woolnorth’s oldest buildings date from the early 1800s and include Mason's and Cookhouse cottages plus the Jail. In August 1902 the ship “Colloboi” sprang a leak off Hunter Island and beached at Woolnorth.

ROCKY CAPE NATIONAL PARK

Rocky Cape was declared a National Park in 1967. The Park which fronts Bass Strait has many rock pools which are lovely for swimming and snorkelling. Visitors can also enjoy many beautiful walks taking from as little as 20 minutes to a full day. Spring and summer are the best seasons for viewing colourful blooms of coastal heath and native banksias.

SEVEN MILE BEACH AND ROBBINS PASSAGE WETLAND

Located between Smithton and Stanley Seven Mile Beach is a popular spot for locals especially in the warmer months. Seven Mile Beach is also a popular spot for our resident and migratory shore birds. Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers in particular are often seen here. 

ARTHUR-PIEMAN CONSERVATION AREA

The Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area is so named because of its location between the Arthur River and the Pieman River. 

The Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area is much-loved by both residents of the Edge of the World and tourists alike. Its coastal location and openness to the elements is part of its charm. The coastline has a number of shack sites including Sarah Anne Rocks Bluff Hill Point Temma and Sandy Cape.  

ARTHUR RIVER

The township of Arthur River is located where the entrance of the tannin-coloured river of the same name opens into the tumultuous Southern Ocean.

Although the coastal township developed decades ago as a shack site the road to Arthur River was only sealed in 2003. In recent years a number of shack owners have turned their properties into Bed & Breakfast accommodation. Cruises on the Arthur River itself are available and White Bellied Sea Eagles are a common sight from the deck of the boat.

ArthurRiver is the last township before the Western Explorer Road (C249) a mostly unsealed road which snakes its way south past some of Tasmania’s most beautiful remote landscapes to Corinna on the Pieman River and onward to Tasmania’s West Coast.