Nubeena sits above scenic Parsons Bay and is now the district’s administrative and service centre. Its setting and present-day role offer different ways to get to know the town. If you’re planning a stay, you can explore Nubeena through its history, events and local food options, rather than focusing your trip on a single offering. Which of these aspects interests you most depends on whether you’re more drawn to local history, local produce or an event.

Getting to know Nubeena and planning your trip

Nubeena is 102 kilometres south-east of Hobart, about a 90-minute drive. Traffic and road conditions can affect the actual journey time. Use the distance and time together as a guide when planning your trip. If you’re coming from Hobart, factor the drive into your day rather than treating the estimated time as a fixed schedule.

Local history from surveying to the convict era

During the convict era, Nubeena was known as Wedge Bay (1843–46) and was home to a probation station. The town was also surveyed when the Tasman Peninsula was opened for settlement. Nubeena is a local word for crayfish. These historical and linguistic connections give the place name added meaning and can be considered alongside Nubeena’s present-day role as an administrative and service centre.

Local festivals and their distinct focuses

The Tasman Feast is held each year at the Nubeena Recreation Ground at 21 Clarke Street, showcasing local produce. If you’d like to plan your trip around the festival, check the event date in advance. Nubeena’s civic spaces are also used for food, craft and music festivals. The planned Nubeena Bee Festival offers a different focus: it aims to combine celebrations with educational activities about the important role of bees in the ecosystem and the importance of honey in everyday life. Volunteers are planning and coordinating the community-led festival in collaboration with the Tasman Peninsula Rotary Club. The Civic Centre in Nubeena is the proposed venue. The Tasman Feast is held at the Recreation Ground; the Civic Centre is the proposed venue for the planned Bee Festival.

Cafés and local recreation

Nubeena Cafe serves café-style meals, burgers and gourmet toasted sandwiches. The menu also includes homemade baked slices and desserts, made fresh daily; offerings may change. The café sources its coffee beans from South Roast, a local Tasman Peninsula business. The menu therefore includes savoury and sweet options, as well as a local connection through its coffee. Judd Park also has a skatepark. Facilities may change.

Discover more destinations: Somerset, Low Head, Devonport, Stanley, Cranbrook, Adventure Bay, Geeveston, Ringarooma

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.