Nubeena: History and local character above Parsons Bay

Above Parsons Bay, Nubeena combines local history with a lively local character: the annual Tasman Feast and various festivals are held here, and the town is now the district’s administrative and service centre. If you’re looking for holiday accommodation in Nubeena, you can make the town itself the focus of your stay, choosing from historical discoveries, local-produce offerings and activities such as the skatepark.

Local history with local connections

During the convict era, Nubeena was known as Wedge Bay; from 1843 to 1846, the town housed a probation station. This episode gives the town’s history a specific timeframe and historical context. Nubeena’s surveying also belongs to a particular period: the town was surveyed when the Tasman Peninsula was opened for settlement. This makes it possible to learn about Nubeena through both its development as a town and the history of the peninsula.

Another distinctive feature lies in the name: Nubeena is a local term for crayfish. The name thus refers to a regional expression without requiring a lengthy explanation. Together with the history of Wedge Bay, it creates a picture of a town where historical and current names sit side by side. For a visit with children, this offers a concrete conversation starter: How do place names change, and what do they reveal about local history?

Local produce and flavours

The Tasman Feast is held every year at the Nubeena Recreation Ground at 21 Clarke Street, showcasing local produce. Its regular venue and annual schedule make the festival a recurring part of the local calendar. If you’re interested in regional products, it’s an event you can consider when planning a visit; no specific date is given here.

Nubeena Cafe also offers a glimpse of the local food scene. The menu features café-style meals, burgers and gourmet toasted sandwiches; homemade baked slices and desserts are also available daily. The café sources its coffee beans from South Roast, a local business on the Tasman Peninsula. Both simple café fare and coffee sourced from a regional supplier are among the culinary aspects of Nubeena described here.

Nubeena’s civic squares are used for food, craft and music festivals. These events have different focuses: food, crafts or music. Together with the Tasman Feast, they show that local produce and community events are part of the town’s character.

Activities and events

There’s a skatepark in Judd Park. This adds a sporting activity in town that differs from historical sightseeing and culinary offerings. When choosing activities to enjoy together during the day, you can take these different interests into account without having to combine them into a fixed itinerary.

The Nubeena Bee Festival is planned as a community-led festival and is coordinated by volunteers together with the Tasman Peninsula Rotary Club. It is intended to combine celebrations with educational activities, focusing on the important role of bees in the ecosystem and the importance of honey in everyday life. The concept thus draws attention both to nature and to a familiar food.

Nubeena as a place to stay

Nubeena is a 90-minute drive, or 102 kilometres, southeast of Hobart. These details help you locate the town when planning your trip. If you’d like to make Nubeena itself the focus of your stay, you can search specifically for holiday accommodation in town; the travel figures also provide a guide for getting there from Hobart. As the district’s administrative and service centre, Nubeena is more than just the name of a single day-trip destination: the town has a present-day identity alongside its historical connections.

More places to discover: Richmond, Spreyton, Mount Stuart, Plenty, White Beach, Devonport, Meadowbank and Port Sorell.

Go to the main travel overview: Tasmania.