We first visited the Narooma Oyster Festival more than a decade ago and it’s amazing to think that it’s now in its 19th year. Held on the shores of Wagonga Inlet on the South Coast of NSW, it’s grown to become one of Australia’s top oyster festivals.
This year’s Festival will be held from May 1 to 3, although the oyster extravaganza starts the week before with Rock Oyster Week from April 26. (This week-long program sees food, farm gate and on-water experiences taking place across the South Coast from the Shoalhaven River to Pambula Lake.)
But back to the festival. What a feast for oyster lovers as growers, chefs and shuckers all strut their stuff. Chefs this year include Courtney Roulston (Farm to Fork), Adi De Jesus-Davo (@theflipchef), Brendan Boothroyd (Duxton Pubs SA), Jeff Razon (The Oyster Cove, Batemans Bay) and Matteo Ponti Mimosa Wines Restaurant, Bermagui.
There’s a full-on program of live music headlined by Sarah Mcleod, supported by Spindrift Saga, Sunday Lemonade, Waikama, the Narooma High School Band, Jack Biilmann, Val Moogz, Howling Mitch Trio, Chelsey Atkins, Jakob Poyner and Piper Allan.
There’ll be oyster bars and bars selling drinks, fireworks, cooking demonstrations and shucking championships, food stalls and masterclasses including the festival’s signature Ultimate Oyster Experiences and new Master the Shuck classes. Don’t miss the opportunity to do a cruise on Wagonga Inlet, which is one of NSW’s most productive Rock Oyster growing estuaries.
All weekend, children under 17 enter free with an adult and there’s a free shuttle bus around Narooma and Dalmeny on Friday and Saturday. Ticketed coaches travel from Batemans Bay, Bermagui and Merimbula on Saturday, May 2.
Tickets are on sale now, with general admission, premium experiences and coach details available here.
Narooma Oyster Festival photo supplied by Destination NSW.