Adventure

Black River Picnic Area (Spion Kop)

A relaxing and secluded barbeque area surrounded by forest is located on either side of the Black River. It is great for swimming and fishing for black fish and trout. Visitors can cross the river over a concrete ford if the water is shallow enough (check the depth guage), and travel onto Mawbanna and Dip Falls via an unsealed road.

Address: Spion Kop Road South Forest Tasmania 7330
Phone: Forestry Tasmania 03 6452 4900 or Stanley Visitor Centre 03 6458 1330
More Information

Dip Falls and the Big Tree Reserve

Dip falls are two tiered falls on the Dip River at Mawbanna. The picnic and barbecue area is located right on the river where visitors can take the stepped path down to the base of the falls to observe the unique rock formations. The road continues over the river where there is a platform providing an unsurpassed view out over the top of the falls.

A kilometre further along the road visitors can marvel at the Big Tree, a eucalypt obliqua some 17 metres around its girth in the wet eucalypt forest. The pathways to the viewing platform and the Big Tree are suitable for disabled access. There are also toilet facilities.

Address: Dip Falls Road Mawbanna Tasmania 7321
Phone: Forestry Tasmania 03 6452 4900 or Stanley Visitor Centre 03 6458 1330
More Information

Fishing

Stanley is famous for its runs of Blue Warehou, also known as Snotty Trevally from the Stanley Wharf. Freshwater fishing can be found at Lake Mikany. Nelson Bay located at the mouth of the Arthur River is a thriving fishing destination. The onset of spring can see sea-run trout and salmon active.

Anglers fishing in Tasmania's inland waters must hold a current Inland Fisheries Service angling licence. Anyone may, however, take indegenous ie native fish, using a bush pole without a license.

A licensee may fish Tasmania's approved inland waters with a rod, reel and line only during the open season. An angling licence has a maximum duration on 1 year, from 1st August until the following 31st of July. No matter when you buy your license it will expire on the following 31st of July.

Note that a license is not valid unless signed in ink by the holder. This does not have to be done at the point of purchase but it must be done before use.

No adult, licensed or unlicensed, may fish in a juvenile angling pond ie one reserved for use by young people under 16 years.

Specific fishing regulations for bag and size limits and fishing techniques (bait, lure or fly) may vary between waters.

Angling licenses are available from Stanley Visitor Centre.

Read more about fishing FRESH waters in Tasmania

Read more about fishing SALT waters in Tasmania

Golf

Scottish settlers played Australia's first round of golf in the 1830s at Bothwell, where the nation's oldest course hosts a fascinating range of memorabilia at the Australasian Golf Museum. Have you ever played on a golf course that is nestled beneath a 150 metre extinct volcano or along one of Tasmania's most beautiful beaches?

Stanley is the home to one of Tasmania's greenest greens and roughest roughs. There are more than 80 club courses welcoming visiting members throughout Tasmania. Stanley's Golf Coure is a 9 hole course. Smithton Country Club has a full 18 hole course.

Nut Chairlift

Take a leisurely chairlift ride to the top of the Nut. This intriguing landform is a solidified lava lake of a long-extinct volcano. Its presence provides a striking backdrop to historic Stanley, one of Tasmania's prettiest coastal villages. From the top there are 360° views taking in Stanley, Rocky Cape National Park and Highfield Historic Site, along with lush farmland and scenic coastline as far as the eye can see.

The Nut Chairlift is a Dopplemayr, double seat, designed and fabricated in Austria. It rises 95 metres over a distance of 250 metres. Providing an effortless 5 minute ride to the summit, it is considered amongst the safest in the world. Since its construction in 1987, it has securely carried hundreds of thousands of visitors to the top of the Nut and back. The view from the chairlift is magnificent and provides unique photo opportunities.

Address: Browns Road Stanley Tasmania 7331
Phone: 03 6458 1286

Rocky Cape National Park

The Rocky Cape National Park or 'Tangdimmaa' is located at Rocky Cape, about a 15 minutes drive from Stanley. The park has great significance to the Tasmanian Aboriginals called the Rar.rer.loi.he.ner people, who once made their homes in the sea caves situated along the coastline.

There are several walks throughout the park, ranging from 50 minutes up to 6 hours. Barbeque facilities are available as well as toilets and information booths. A National Parks Pass is required.

Address: Rocky Cape Tasmania 7321
Phone: Parks & Wildlife 0364 58 1480
Website: www.parks.tas.gov.au

Stanley Marine Centre

Wooden Boat Building and Restoration located on the Mian Wharf in Stanley.
Also including Fishing Tackle Shop, Marine Heritage Viewing, Fishing & Pleasure Charters, Bait & Ice available, Marine Supplies & Boat Supplies.

Address: Main Wharf Stanley Tasmania 7331
Phone: 0407 561 318
Email: great.white@live.com.au

Stanley Seaquarium

Located on the waters edge alongside Stanley's fishing fleet and housed  in a shed originally constructed for crayfish processing. Stanley Seaquarium transforms the building into a fascinating discovery of Tasmanian sealife. Colourful and vibrant, the emphasis is on fun and facts as you come face to face with resident sea creatures.

Did you know that Tasmanian Giant Crabs can grow to a massive 16 kilos? Come and have a closer look! The Conger Eel stretches 6 feet long and displays a personality to match. In her cosy house the female Octopus awaits the hatching of her eggs while nearby the Striped Trumpeter seem to want to chat. It's hands-on in the Rock Pool with Hermit Crabs displaying their beautiful shells. From delicate Seahorses to Sharks and Lobsters, maritime artefacts, shells and ship - Stanley Seaquarium provides a unique world of delight for all ages.

Sea theme gift lines and souvenirs, frozen local seafood and freshly cooked crayfish in season. Open daily from September until mid June then weekends only for the Winter.

Address: Fishermans Dock Stanley Tasmania 7331
Phone: 03 6458 2052
Email: dcharles@craigmostyn.com.au

Surfing

We surf all year around in Tasmania and if you like the idea of plenty of uncrowded breaks with clean, powerful waves, you'll get a buzz out of Tassie surfing. The North West of Tasmania also experiences strong consistent winds that are great for windsurfing.

One of the best things about surfing and windsurfing in Tasmania is as long as you're willing to travel you will always find a great ride. Marrawah's big Southern Ocean groundswells challenge the best. Bring your wetsuit - like anywhere else in Southern Australia, you'll need it.

Trowutta Arch

Trowutta Arch was formed by the collapse of a cave. The roof fell in leaving a section between two "sink holes". The site is not well known and the short walk to the site is through spectacular rainforest.

Follow the C218 road through the township of Trowutta. The Arch is approximately 10km past the Trowutta township. Best to ask locals for exact directions.

Address: Trowutta Road Trowutta Tasmania 7330
Phone: Stanley Visitor Centre 03 6458 1330

Walking

Trek our coasts with the sun on your back there are several Great Short Walks to enjoy throughout the region. There are scenic walking tracks in Smithton and Stanley, whether you are looking for a gentle stroll or a physical challenge, a seaside ramble or a landscape vista. They can be accessed easily.

Look out for the North West Visitor Guide where we have outlined some walks in the townships of Smithton and Stanley. Also a great booklet is National Parks and Wildlife's 60 Great Short Walks.

Wildlife Watching

Walk quietly and observe carefully - the swirl of a swimming platypus, quoll tracks along the Stanley Tasmania Wildlife Tideline, wombats and wallabies rustling in the bush. Our oceans and coasts teem with life - seals and penguins, shearwaters and sea eagles, dolphins and whales.

On land or sea, specialist wildlife tours take you where you're most likely to see rare and unusual fauna.

In many National Parks, animals are often easier to observe close-up, especially at dusk.

Tasmania's isolation from mainland Australia has ensured the survival of many plants and animals that are rare, or even extinct, elsewhere in the country.

Visitors are often surprised at how accessible Tasmania's native wildlife is. In many areas on even a short bushwalk you can come across a pademelon, wombat or wallaby. Beacuse many of the animals are active at night, we ask all visitors to take particular care when driving at dusk or after dark.