The nut

The Nut sets the stage for views of the historic town of Stanley and surrounds, in Tasmania's north-west.

The sheer-sided bluff is the remains of an ancient volcanic plug. It’s an ideal place to reorient and clear the head and is completely safe to tread.

There's a walking track to the top, or a chairlift that sails up in just a few minutes. It gives views across Bass Strait beaches and over the town.

The chairlift is open daily (excluding Christmas Day and Good Friday) but closes during winter for maintenance.

After the descent, it’s a good call to stay a night or two in Stanley, a perfect base for exploring the takayna / Tarkine forest and the surrounding coastline. There’s ample accommodation and an excellent campground.

The town was once the administrative centre for the Van Diemen's Land Company (VDL), a royal charter company, formed in 1824 during the reign of George IV. Highfield Historic Site, an imposing Georgian home, was the VDL manager's residence and is open to the public.

To reach Stanley, turn off the Bass Highway (A2) 15 km east of Smithton.