Imagine stepping out of your door and seeing Little Penguins (also known as fairy penguins or little blue penguins) waddling home from the sea. When you stay at The Bond Store in Stanley Tasmania, that’s exactly what you might experience – right at your doorstep.
Perched absolute waterfront overlooking Stanley’s old wharf, The Bond Store offers guests one of the most unique luxury stays in Tasmania: the chance to watch penguins in their natural habitat, just metres from your apartment.
Sleeping Beside the Penguins
When we say you’re staying close to the penguins, we mean it! Guests often spot penguins coming ashore directly in front of the Bond Store, or along the pathway beside Tatlows Beach which starts outside the Bond Store.
These charming visitors often wander past the gardens, calling to one another as they return to their burrows after a day of fishing. And yes, it’s true – leave the courtyard gate open, and one might just pop in to say hello!
About Stanley’s Little Penguins
Stanley is one of the few places in North West Tasmania where you can observe Little Penguins up close in the wild. These are the smallest penguins in the world, standing about 33 cm tall, with sleek blue feathers and curious personalities.
You’ll often hear their soft trills and squawks before you see them. According to Wildcare Tasmania, these penguins swim up to 50 kilometres a day searching for food, diving as deep as 20 metres (and occasionally as far as 70 metres). Most stay within 15 km of their home colony – making Stanley’s coastline the perfect place for them to return each night.
The Best Places to See Penguins in Stanley
While you can often see penguins right from your apartment at The Bond Store, Stanley also offers several safe and respectful viewing spots nearby:
- 🐧 Godfrey’s Beach Penguin Viewing Platform – just a short walk or drive from the Bond Store, this purpose-built platform allows visitors to quietly observe penguins returning to their burrows at dusk without disturbing them.
- 🐧 Tatlow’s Beach Coastal Track – beginning opposite The Bond Store, this walking path follows the shoreline and often provides magical penguin encounters for those who walk it quietly after dark.
The best time to watch penguins is at dark, when they waddle ashore together under the cover of darkness. The breeding season (September to March) offers the highest chance of sightings, though a few hardy penguins can still be spotted during winter months.
Penguin-Friendly Viewing Tips
To protect these precious birds and ensure future generations can enjoy them too, please follow these simple guidelines when watching penguins near The Bond Store or at Stanley’s viewing areas:
- Keep quiet and move slowly – penguins are easily startled by noise and sudden movement.
- Avoid using flash photography or torches.
- Never get between a penguin and its burrow or block their path from the sea.
- Watch from a respectful distance and allow them to behave naturally.
By observing responsibly, you’re helping to preserve one of Stanley’s most delightful natural experiences.
Stay Waterfront, Stay with the Penguins
Staying at The Bond Store Stanley Tasmania means you’re not just near the penguins – you’re part of their nightly rhythm. From your luxury waterfront apartment, you can listen to the sound of the waves and the calls of penguins returning home.
It’s a rare combination of heritage charm, coastal luxury, and wildlife wonder, found only here in Stanley on Tasmania’s north-west coast.