Koonya, Tasmania

Koonya Tasmania
Officers quarters for the penal colony
Koonya
Coordinates	43°06′S 147°45′E
Population	134 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	7184
Location	18 km (11 mi) NE of Nubeena
LGA(s)	Tasman
Region	South-east
State electorate(s)	Lyons
Federal division(s)	Lyons
Localities around Koonya: Norfolk Bay Norfolk Bay Taranna Premaydena Koonya Taranna Nubeena Port Arthur Port Arthur

Koonya is a rural locality in the local government area (LGA) of Tasman in the South-east LGA region of Tasmania. The locality is about 18 kilometres (11 mi) north-east of the town of Nubeena. The 2016 census has a population of 134 for the state suburb of Koonya.[1] It hosts the annual Koonya Garlic Festival, a "one-day celebration".[2]

History

The area was formerly known as Cascades, but had been changed by 1888. Koonya was gazetted as a locality in 1968. The name is believed to be an Aboriginal word, but the meaning is disputed.[3]

It was established in 1841 as one of outlying parts of the network of penal colony sites centered on Port Arthur.[4] Under its former name of "Cascades", it was populated by at least 400 convicts.[4]

After the Port Arthur penal colony was closed, and Van Diemen's Land was renamed "Tasmania", a number of places in Tasmania were renamed; "Cascades" was renamed "Koonya".[5]

Geography

The waters of Norfolk Bay form most of the northern boundary.[6]

A weather radar for the City of Hobart is in the Koonya locality.[7]

Road infrastructure

Route B37 (Nubeena Road) enters from the north-east and runs through to the north-west, where it exits. Route C343 (Nubeena Back Road) starts at an intersection with B37 and runs south-west until it exits.[3][8]

References

1. "2016 Census Quick Stats Koonya (Tas.)". quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
2. "Koonya Garlic Festival".
3. "Placenames Tasmania – Koonya". Placenames Tasmania. Select “Search”, enter "1069J", click “Search”, select row, map is displayed, click “Details”. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
4. "Koonya: A fascinating convict outstation once known as Cascades". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
5. Margaret Scott (2006). Port Arthur: A Story of Strength and Courage. Random House Australia. ISBN 9781741665611. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
6. "Koonya, Tasmania" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
7. "Hobart (Mt Koonya)". Bureau of Meteorology. Government of Australia. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
8. "Tasmanian Road Route Codes" (PDF). Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment. May 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2020.