Godfreys Beach and Penguin Viewing

The beach curves around the southern side of The Nut's rocky base, sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds and with views across the calm inner waters of Circular Head. Facilities include toilets, showers, a generous car park, covered barbecue and picnic areas, and an off-leash area for dogs during daylight hours. The beach was named one of Australia's top beaches for 2026 and is popular with families for safe, shallow-water swimming in the warmer months.

The penguin colony is the beach's most remarkable drawcard. Little penguins, the world's smallest penguin species, return to their burrows near the cemetery at the base of The Nut each evening at dusk, year-round. The viewing platform is equipped with red LED lighting that allows excellent visibility without causing the disorientation that white light inflicts on the birds. Visitors should avoid using torches, flash photography, and loud voices. September through March offers the highest penguin numbers, coinciding with the breeding season.

Parks Tasmania manages the viewing infrastructure and there is no fee to use the platform. The beach is patrolled during summer school holidays but is otherwise unpatrolled, so swimmers should exercise caution. The walk from Stanley's main street to Godfreys Beach takes under ten minutes on foot.