Although always a fishing town, crayfish and shark have replaced whales as the major catch. The town is filled with historic buildings, many over 150 years old, and including the birthplace of Joe Lyons , Australia's only Tasmanian Prime Minister. Close to Stanley is the Highfield estate, an elegant 1830's homestead including chapel, cottages and farmyard buildings, which was built for the head of the Van Diemens's Land Company. South of Stanley are Mawbanna and Dip Falls. The town is about one hours drive from Wynyard , and has been named Premier Tourist Town in Tasmania more than any other town in the past decade.
Good accommodation is easy to find in Stanley.