Oban is centred on Halfmoon Bay (sometimes used as an alternative name for the town), and stretches over a peninsula to Paterson Inlet.

It has aircraft connections with Invercargill and a ferry service to Bluff, both on the mainland South Island.

The island has received a moderate boost of commerce and some millions in government funding since tourism increased markedly after the opening of the Rakiura National Park.

[5] Efforts have been made to eradicate many of the introduced predators of native birds in Oban, such as stoats and domestic cats, with bigger plans to target possums, three species of rat, and hedgehogs.

Year-round, Oban lies in the direct path of mid-latitude cyclones (low-pressure systems, or depressions) arriving from the Southern Ocean, generally moving from southwest to northeast, or west to east.

It was reopened in December 2020 in a purpose-built $3 million building in December 2020. it contains artifacts and displays including the history of whaling and sealing around Stewart Island, boat building, Maori settlement and natural history of Stewart Island.

[14][15] Halfmoon Bay School / Te Kura o Rakiura caters for years 1 to 8[16] with a roll of 40 students as of November 2024.