Above: The Nut from the RV Park behind Tatlow’s Beach
March 18-21, 2019
Stanley, Tasmania – famous for the rocky outcrop known as “The Nut” which is often thought to lie to the North of the Peninsula (because of the most common images) but in fact is on the Eastern side leaving the town in shadow in the mornings as can be seen on the left in the image below.
We stayed here for three days (maximum is 1 week) at a cost of $10/night collected by the Golf Club next door each afternoon. This used to be a 48 hour free camp but changes in Tasmania instigated by the State Government has resulted in many free camps now having a small fee but usually with something “added” like the increase to 7 days here and the easing of the “Grey Water” ruling.
Out of our three days here we picked the right day to climb The Nut (and I mean “Climb” – No Chairlift for us!). The weather was perfect and the view totally clear all the way to Table Cape to the East and Three Hummock Island to the West. A gallery of images below takes you on the climb and the walk around the top; you can go either way but we went clockwise under advice – definitely the best option. This view from Godfrey’s Beach gives an idea of the steepness of the path; it rise close to 140m in 430m, so close to a 1 in 3 grade! The middle section is the steepest which you really notice coming down!
The RV Stop has room for fifty plus vans and is often full in the peak season, now it is starting to get a little quieter.
To the West and North of Stanley is farming country with much of it owned by Cape Grim Station and land which was all the Van Diemans Land Company with Highfields being their headquarters and also the Government HQ for this part of Tasmania in the day. Highfields is open for viewing in the house or just for photographing the outside (which we did) and has been restored and kept in perfect order.
On the way to Highfields you pass a lookout and picture frame:
And after Highfields the remains of the Convict Barracks (below)
While much of the town of Stanley is more modern the original town centre which crosses the Southern side of the Nut has many beautifully kept old buildings including the hotel.
The Nut Photo Gallery and journey:
