Tasmania – The First Week

Oct 6  Stanley lies 125 kms west of Devonport. It is the site of ‘The Nut’ a 125 Metre volcanic plug. To reach the top you may either walk which takes around 15 minutes or the easier way – by chairlift. When on top, the views are breathtaking – the walk around the edge takes around 45 minutes as the land mass on top is approximately 90 acres.

The reserve protects the nationally endangered straw daisy and provides an important breeding site for short-tailed shearwaters (mutton birds), peregrine falcons, Australian kestrels and little penguins. The reserve protects significant Aboriginal and historic heritage sites. The Nut and the Aboriginal sites are of deep significance to the Aboriginal community, both present and past.

A little Irish history – Michael Lyons from Galway settled in Stanley in the early 1820’s. His grandson, Joseph Lyons became the only Australian Prime Minister born in Tasmania. He was also the only Australian to have held the positions of State Premier and Prime Minister. His wife was the first female member of the House of Representatives in 1943.

On our walk we spot a small bandicoot, which looks a lot like a wallaby – see the picture.

On the way back from Stanley we take a detour to see the beautiful tulip farm at Wynyard and also visit the lighthouse on nearby Table Cape. We spotted where Birds Eye get their baby peas from (see photo). Another piece of trivia, Tasmanian farmers can obtain a license to grow poppies which are then used to manufacture medicines.