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The Nut at Stanley, Tasmania – Everything you need to know
A complete guide to visiting The Nut in Stanley, Tasmania. Discover one of Tasmania's most famous natural attractions in this remote part of the north west coast. Stanley is a historic town at the foot of The Nut, the remains of an ancient volcanic cone. This strange, aptly named geological phenomenon attracts many visitors to the otherwise quiet, rural town. In this blog post I want to tell you everything you need to know if you want to try The Nut at Stanley. I'll let you know about the short but steep hiking trail and chairlift and share some photos from my trip. Where is it...
The Nut at Stanley, Tasmania – Everything you need to know
A complete guide to visiting The Nut in Stanley, Tasmania. Discover one of Tasmania's most famous natural attractions in this remote part of the north west coast.
Stanley is a historic town at the foot of The Nut, the remains of an ancient volcanic cone. This strange, aptly named geological phenomenon attracts many visitors to the otherwise quiet, rural town.
In this blog post I want to tell you everything you need to know if you want to try The Nut at Stanley. I'll let you know about the short but steep hiking trail and chairlift and share some photos from my trip.
Where is it and how do I get there?
Getting to the nut is pretty easy. However, if you plan to come here independently, you will need your own vehicle.
You need to drive to Stanley, about 223 kilometers from Launceston or 125 kilometers from Devonport. The directions here are pretty straightforward and once you get to Stanley there's no question where The Nut is. Stanley is literally built at the base of the plug, while The Nut itself is considered a state reserve (The Nut State Reserve).
If you want to climb The Nut or take the easy chairlift route, head to the end of Browns Road. An easy marker is “Nut Rock Cafe.” Here you will find a large parking lot with easy access to the hiking trail and chairlift.
If you don't have your own vehicle to explore the region, then don't worry. Below I have listed some of my favorite and must-do activities and best tours in the North West region of Tasmania.
Ultimate Tasmanian travel resource
I hope you enjoy this blog post. For more Tasmania travel and adventure inspiration, don’t miss my ultimate guides below.
– 62 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania – Where to Stay in Tasmania (Best Places) – 26 Amazing Waterfalls in Tasmania – 35 Must-Do Hikes in Tasmania
What exactly is the nut?
As I briefly mentioned, The Nut is the remnant of a volcanic plug. Although I am by no means a geologist, I will do my best to explain. Basically, a volcanic plug is the remaining hardened magma from the interior of an ancient volcano. This rock is harder than the ancient land surface material and therefore persists as the sedimentary material erodes over time. The image below is a good explanation.
There are several volcanic plugs around the world and most have a similar protruding shape. A famous example is the Devils Tower in Wyoming, USA.
Even if you're not too interested in how The Nut at Stanley came to be, it's undoubtedly a cool attraction that's definitely worth visiting on a Tasmania road trip.
alt=“Diagram of a volcanic plug”>Image courtesy of Volcano Hotspot
The Nut chairlift
If you're visiting Stanley you definitely have to make your way to the top of The Nut for amazing views and well to say you've done it!
For those not too keen on taking the steep steps, jump on The Nut Chairlift, located at the parking lot mentioned in the directions above. Unfortunately this lift was closed when I visited (the chairlift is closed in the winter), but it seems to be a pretty unique experience for those visiting in the warmer months.
The distance to the chairlift is approximately 250 meters and a return trip costs $17 per adult. Check the updated prices on the official website.
alt=“STANLEY CHAIR Lift up the mother”>
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Walking Up the Nut in Stanley, Tasmania
The path up is known as The Nut Access Track, which is cement sealed and quite steep. It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk to the top for stunning views over Stanley. However, if you've already made it to the top, you can walk the “Gipfelrundweg,” a 2-kilometer loop around the perimeter and back down to the parking lot.
There are several great viewing points along the way with informative signs about the unique birdlife of the Bass Strait and the indigenous history of The Nut, Stanley and Tasmania.
Below are some photos I took of the summit loop. Also watch out for wild animals! There are several wallabies and other native marsupials that call this place home.
- alt=“DIE NUSS IN STANLEY HINAUF GEHEN“>
- alt=“DIE NUSS IN STANLEY HINAUF GEHEN“>
- alt=“ANSICHT VON DER NUSS TASMANIEN“>
- alt=“DIE NUSS TASMANIEN HAFEN“>
- alt=“BLICK VOM NUT WALK TASMANIEN“>
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Where you have a great view of The Nut in Stanley
As you climb The Nut at Stanley for breathtaking views over Bass Strait and the surrounding farmland of northwest Tasmania, how about taking a great photo of The Nut itself?
To do this I highly recommend driving to the north end of the village, past the Highfield historic site, down Green Hills Road. There are some great overlooks along the way, as well as an official overlook area with a large sign.
alt="THE NUT VIEW">
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What about the penguins in Stanley?
The Nut isn't the only standout attraction in Stanley, Tasmania. Nature lovers might also be lucky enough to see some penguins.
To spot penguins, I recommend going to Godfrey’s Beach Penguin Viewing Platform, literally right next to The Nut at the north end. If you visit at dawn or dusk, you might spot a blue penguin or two. This species is the only penguin species found in Tasmania and happens to be the smallest penguin species in the world.
Staying in North West Tasmania: A Quick Guide
Tassie's north west has a lot to offer. When planning your trip, you should choose accommodation up here as a base for at least a few days. Below are my recommendation options in the best areas to help you.
Stay on the Edge of the WorldThe rugged northwest coast is a great place for adventurers to base themselves.
- Arthur Spa Cottage 9/10
- Cottage mit Meerblick 9.2/10
- Vergleichen Sie alle an der Nordwestküste von Tassie
alt=“EDGE OF THE WORLD, TASMANIAN WEST COAST”>
Stay in StanleyFamous for the iconic Nut but offers great seaside accommodation.
- Hanlon-Haus 9.3/10
- Stanley Village Waterfront 8.8/10
- Vergleichen Sie alle in Stanley
alt=“THE NUT IN STANLEY, TASMANIA”>
Stay in Boat Harbour, one of Tasmania's most beautiful and underrated beach towns. A must!
- Himmlisches Bauernhaus B&B 9.1/10
- Boat Harbour Garden Cottages 9.1/10
- Vergleichen Sie alle in Boat Harbor
alt=“BOAT PORT TASMANIA”>
Stay in Penguin, a picturesque coastal town with a unique name.
- Penguin Seaside Homestay 9.5/10
- Penguin Beachfront Apartments 9.3/10
- Vergleichen Sie alle in Penguin
alt="PENGUIN TASMANIA">
More epic Tasmania travel guides and ADventure INspiration
That concludes this quick guide to visiting The Nut in Stanley, Tasmania. However, don't leave yet. I bet you're still looking for epic Tasmanian adventures and travel inspiration. I spent quite a bit of time exploring this incredible island and photographed and documented many different activities and experiences.
Below you will find a starting point for further highlights in the region.
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