STANLEY

As we approached our next destination, Stanley, we stopped at a beachfront café for lunch. Looking out across the water, we realised we were gazing directly over Bass Strait for the very first time. It was a special moment, made even more remarkable by the thought that mainland Australia lay just 240 kilometres away across the sea.

Nestled on Tasmania's picturesque north-west coast, Stanley is one of the state's most charming historic towns. Towering 143 metres above the town, The Nut is an ancient volcanic plug with dramatic sheer cliffs and a flat summit that dominates the landscape.

Stanley is filled with beautifully preserved colonial buildings, charming cottages and stunning coastal views. We spent time wandering its peaceful streets before visiting Highfield Historic Site, a magnificent 1830s homestead overlooking the coastline that provides a fascinating insight into Tasmania's early colonial past.

Beyond the homestead, the grounds are scattered with convict-era ruins, including the remains of the original convict barracks, workers' cottages, stables, barns and other farm buildings. Together, they paint a vivid picture of life and work on one of Tasmania's earliest colonial estates.

By the end of our stay, Lynette and I agreed that Stanley was without doubt the prettiest town we had visited on our journey around Tasmania so far. Its combination of history, heritage and breathtaking scenery made it one of the highlights of our trip.

The following morning we set off on the Tarkine Drive, one of Tasmania's most scenic wilderness routes. Winding through ancient rainforest, wild river valleys and rugged landscapes, the drive showcases one of the world's largest remaining temperate rainforests.

Our first stop was Trowutta Arch. A gentle 1.1-kilometre walk through towering myrtle beech and sassafras trees led us to an extraordinary limestone arch spanning a vivid emerald-green sinkhole more than 20 metres deep. It was one of the most remarkable natural landscapes we have ever seen, and photographs simply couldn't do it justice.

Continuing through the Tarkine, we stopped at Sumac Lookout, a short 1-minute walk from the car park to a viewing platform offering sweeping, panoramic views of the wild Arthur River winding through an ocean of green.

We drove past Lake Chisholm, Australia's deepest natural freshwater sinkhole lake. Hidden amongst ancient trees, its mirror-like waters created a magical setting and perfectly showcased the untouched beauty of this remarkable wilderness.

The Tarkine Drive was another unforgettable highlight of our Tasmanian adventure, combining ancient rainforest, unique geology and spectacular scenery into one incredible day.

To finish our stay in Stanley, we headed to the foreshore at dusk to see the town's famous Little Penguins (Fairy Penguins). Although fewer penguins return during winter, we were thrilled to spot a few waddling ashore to their burrows after a day at sea. It was a wonderful way to end our visit to one of Tasmania's most beautiful towns.
















































































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