Onwards to Stanley...
Stanley is a beautiful coastal setting home to a population of 595 (2021 cencus).
We camped up at the Recreational Reserve which is run by the local Golf Club - $10 a night for self contained vans and motorhomes on the shores of Tatlows Beach. First day was windy and rainy but the second day was just superb. The winds did ramp up as the day matured but, by then, we were bunkered down in the van processing photos and writing blogs.
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| The view from Highfield |
Its historic past is evident in the architecture of this seaside village.
It kinda reminded us of our visits to the seaside villages in the south of England. Many of the 19th century buildings still stand and are dressed up to their original glory. The town is set against a backdrop of 'The Stanley Nut' - the basalt core of an extinct volcano 143m high.
A stroll down the main street gives you feeling of a step into the past.
The main street was used as a movie set in a 2016 film, 'The Light Between Oceans'.
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| One of the many picturesque views from atop the nut. |
We took a chair lift ride to the top of the Nut. Up top, there is a well formed 2km walking track through the vegetation and around the perimeter of the formation. You have to do it if you ever find yourself in Stanley. You can walk up the steep climb to the top but in my broken condition, we elected to take the cheat's way out.
We attempted to do it on the first day after we arrived but due to the high winds and bad weather, the chair lift was closed. On the second day, the weather was perfect so seized the moment!
On the prime prime block of dirt overlooking the town sits 'Highfield' - an early 19th century settled sheep station established by a company in the motherland. All built by convict labour, this historic site is open for self guided tours through the entire property. Another step back in time.
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| The convict barracks as they stood just short of 200 years ago |
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| Ruins of the convict barracks as they stand today |
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| Ruins of the convict barracks as they stand today |
I braved the cool conditions and went for a sunrise photo shoot on Godfreys Beach.
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| Sunrise at Godfreys Beach |
