1685 Main Road, Nubeena | Circa 1890
There are homes… and then there are places where history has lingered long enough to soften the walls, warm the rooms, and give a house its own heartbeat.
Welcome to Mariposa, built circa 1890 by Moses John Clark - a man whose life mirrored the industrious spirit of Tasmania's peninsula communities. From timber contracting to rowing with the Wedge Bay crew, from running the Tasman Hotel in Taranna, to establishing the hotel, post office and butcher's shop here at Nubeena, Mariposa was never just a residence - it was the beating heart of the town.
Constructed using sandstone blocks reclaimed from the Commandant's House across Parsons Bay at the early Wedge Bay convict settlement, this home quite literally carries Tasmania's story in its foundations.
Lovingly restored and thoughtfully refreshed, Mariposa today is a warm, generous and deeply atmospheric residence overlooking the calm waters of Parsons Bay in Nubeena - the largest settlement on the Tasman Peninsula and a cherished fishing village with a strong sense of community.
Step inside and you'll feel it immediately - if these walls could talk…
Original horsehair lath-and-plaster walls remain throughout, fireplaces anchor multiple rooms, and convict bricks quietly punctuate spaces once filled with travellers, letters, meals and stories.
The open-plan kitchen forms the modern heart of the home, beautifully blending past and present with timber benchtops, a Belling gas centrepiece, Milano dishwasher, and seamless flow to light-filled dining spaces.
Plush carpet underfoot (laid just four years ago in the living rooms and bedrooms) enhances comfort, while multiple living zones invite both gathering and retreat
A second lounge/rumpus opens directly to the rear yard and is warmed by an Austwood wood heater with timber mantel. The main lounge features a brand-new Saxon wood heater, creating an irresistible winter haven. Five bedrooms (or four plus office/sewing room) include spaces once used as tearooms, a butcher's room, and the original post office entrance - each retaining its own character.
The former kitchen now serves as a charming mudroom and laundry, timber-lined and rich with storage, complete with a copper bath and original fireplace framed by convict bricks. Bathrooms are equally evocative, including a long powder room with convict brick detailing and a second bathroom with antique vanity and fireplace.
Outside, a Tasmanian hardwood deck wraps the home, framing immaculate gardens alive with apple and quince trees, roses and rhododendrons, pear & plum trees, a productive vegetable patch and glasshouse. A mulberry tree accompanies the undercover outdoor entertaining area, complete with BBQ space and an additional powder room - perfect for long lunches and summer evenings.
The property is fully fenced, supported by approximately 75,000 litres of water storage, and includes a remarkable powered shed - once a boat shed - where soaring ceilings and historic relics echo its working past. An original (non-functioning) three-seater outhouse stands as a charming nod to times gone by.
With new gutters, updated plumbing, NBN connected, and all the hard work complete, Mariposa offers something rare:
A home where history has been honoured, comfort embraced, and the future left open to simply move in and enjoy.
This is not just a house.
It's a story - and it's ready for its next chapter.
The information contained herein has been supplied to us and we have no reason to doubt its accuracy, however, we cannot guarantee it. Accordingly, all interested parties should make their own enquiries to verify this information.
All timeframes and dimensions are approximates only.
Added 02 February, 2026
Property ID: #L38994920
