Home Away From Home: Inside Tasmania's new boutique guesthouse Ship Inn Stanley

It’s only natural that an age-old building would have many stories to tell and, when the stars align, these structures are able to come together with folks who are willing to peel back the layers of yesteryear, transforming them into something new, all the while ensuring that their stories are able to live on.

Such was the fortune of Tasmania’s new boutique accommodation, Ship Inn Stanley.

Nestled within the historic town of Stanley, on Tasmania’s wild north-west coast – a region that calls itself “The Edge of the World” – Ship Inn Stanley was built in 1849, and, although this storytelling guest house has been given a new lease of life, its very heartbeat has been borrowed from the past, honouring all of its previous personas.

For the most part, the structure traded as a seaside inn for 150 years.

After the inn closed and fell into disrepair in the 1970s, a local family turned it into their private home before it was once again reborn when current owners Kerrie and Alastair Houston saw the potential in the building as a revitalised guesthouse.

Charmed by its heritage appeal and the potential for running a family business, the Houston family relocated from Hobart.

From day dot, a team of design and styling experts were called in, including Georgie Rayner of Georgeous Occasions and Claire Gilbert, who helped manage the project, along with the design and styling magic of Lynda Gardener and Belle Hemming of Inside Story.

What followed was 12 months of thoughtful renovation, revealing hidden secrets.

Many original features, such as thick stone walls and stunning timber floors, were retained, as were the windows and doorways.

During the process, layers of wallpaper from previous renovations were discovered and later used for styling inspiration.

Today, there are seven suites, each graced with timeless elegance and historical artefacts, original artworks and bespoke joinery.

The guesthouse is designed to help you relax with everything from rich linens and hand-stitched cushions to stylish kitchen facilities and a yoga studio.

Today, Ship Inn Stanley is ready to tell its story, beckoning travellers to come and experience the luxury offering that awaits.

While in Stanley:

1. Wander the township

Spend the day exploring the quaint township of Stanley, with its many colonial buildings and charming cottages. Make your way through local museums, monuments, cafes and boutique shops, or take the Stanley Heritage Walk.

2. Visit Tasmanian Wine and Food

Tucked inside a renovated Victorian cottage, the local Tasmanian Wine and Food bar serves the very best produce that Tasmania has to offer. Have a tipple from their cool-climate wines, paired with some delicious cheese boards and tasting plates.

3. Climb the Nut

Keen hikers can weave their way to the summit of the Nut. While the journey is steep, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of surrounding farmland, beaches, the township below, and out across the wild seas of Bass Strait.

4. Stroll along Godfreys Beach

For a more leisurely pursuit, take a stroll along Godfreys Beach, where you can see a different perspective of the Nut from below. There’s a viewing platform from which you can spot a colony of Little Penguins returning to their burrows each day.