STANLEY FOOD AND DRINK

It’s a very pleasant and picturesque bus ride to Stanley from Launceston, with a break in Burnie. To do this, catch the X705 bus from Cornwall Square Transit Centre in Launceston and change to the X708 in Devonport. This will take you to Burnie, where the 768 bus leaves for Stanley. For detailed timetables and Redline Coaches ticketing information, visit transport.tas.gov.au.

The 225-kilometre drive from Launceston to Stanley is equally picturesque and takes about 2.5 hours. Alternatively, Stanley is a 78-kilometre drive north-west of Burnie and a 125-kilometre drive west of Devonport.

Stanley’s intimate and historic main street is perfect for exploring on foot. Take your time – life moves slowly in Stanley. Be guided by the sounds and smells of cafes, restaurants and bars that line quirky Church Street. In fact, you could spend all day in Church Street: brunch at Touchwood Cafe, lunch at Stanley Hotel and dinner and drinks at Stanley Wine Bar – all literally within a stone’s throw of each other, and all accessible for people travelling with dog guides. It’s best to check the opening hours in advance, as these vary throughout the year, with a decidedly slower pace in winter.

There are plenty of accommodation options available, from hotel rooms to cute cottages, as well as a caravan park. Consider bedding down for a night or two, so you can explore nearby attractions such as Highfield House up on the headland – or the historic precinct of Woolnorth, a 45-minute drive away on the far north-west tip of Tasmania.