19th Narooma Oyster Festival ready to Rock Oysters

April 26, 2026

The oyster harvest is underway from Wonboyn to Shoalhaven and we’re ready to welcome you to the 19th Narooma Oyster Festival.

This year promises a rich celebration of Rock Oyster Country. Rock Oyster Week has begun, leading into the festival weekend on May 1 to 3, when Quota Park will come alive with more seafood than ever, the aroma of produce kissed by smoke and flame, and new spaces to gather, sip, settle in and enjoy oysters by the water.

Festival favourites return in full force — from Oyster Farmers Alley and the Betta Cooking Demonstration Program to the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships and Australia’s Biggest Oyster — alongside an expanded food, beverage and live music offering across the foreshore.

Getting here is easy too, with coach services operating from Merimbula, Batemans Bay and Bermagui on Saturday, plus free shuttle buses circulating around Narooma and Dalmeny on Friday and Saturday.

Oyster Farmers Alley

At the heart of the festival, Oyster Farmers Alley brings together growers from NSW estuaries, with a strong showing from the South Coast. It offers a rare chance to compare their merroir and meet the growers who cultivate it. For purists, there are pristine oysters served natural; for the adventurous, expect everything from 500g Pacifics to thoughtfully crafted toppers dreamed up by the farmers themselves — think cucumber and chilli mignonette, finger lime pearls, seaweed accents and chilled caviar.

Cheer them on as we discover who has grown Australia’s Biggest Oyster on Saturday morning, and in the afternoon compete for the title of the 2026 Australian Oyster Shucking Champion and an invitation to compete on the world stage in Ireland in September.

Betta Cooking Demonstrations

This is where culinary inspiration meets practical know-how, and this year we welcome five exceptional chefs bringing 10 oyster-led and seafood recipes to the fore.

Hosted by Courtney Roulston of Farm to Fork, this line-up spans Michelin-starred talent, celebrated pub kitchens, regional innovators and fire-driven flavour, with Brendan Boothroyd (Duxton Pubs, South Australia), Jeff Razon (The Oyster Cove, Batemans Bay), Matteo Ponti (Mimosa Wines, Murrah) and Adi De Jesus-Davo (@theflipchef, Canberra) joining Courtney on stage.

Expect everything from coal-roasted Rock Oysters with White Soy and Finger Lime, Rock Oyster Sisig and mignonettes to make your mouth water. Plus there’s Kingfish Kinilaw, Prawn & Smoked Sausage Dumplings, Tom Yum with Squid and Maine-style Lobster Rolls too.

Whether you’re here to sharpen your oyster game, discover new ways with seafood or simply soak up the atmosphere, this is where the food magic happens.

Saturday General Admission includes access to the Betta Cooking Demonstrations, proudly supported by Narooma Betta Home Living. Read more here.

Gather around for culture, music and arts

Join us as we officially open the Festival, and share Yuin Culture in the Welcome to Country by Walbunja man Brock Tutt and dancing with the Doonooch Dancers. The Yuin Cultural Markets and Bushtucker are nearby too, joined by River of Art and fun activities for the kids.

Then settle in for a music line up made for catching up with friends and vibing on the foreshore. Friday night warms up with Waikama, Sunday Lemonade and Spindrift Saga before ARIA award winner Sarah McLeod takes the stage ahead of the Whale Coast Realty Fireworks.

On Saturday, the MG Stage keeps rolling with Piper Allan, Jakob Poyner, Val Moogz, Jack Biilmann, Howlin’ Mitch Trio and Sarah McLeod returning for a headline afternoon set.

Roving entertainment returns too, including roving shuckers – Oysters Unplugged & Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco Walking Tour.

Seafood spread the best yet, but that’s not all

Feast on lobster, abalone, urchin, octopus, prawns, kelp and local fish — cooked over coals, served cold with secret sauces, or tucked into tacos, bao buns and po’ boys. There are plenty of options for those who don’t eat seafood or meat too from poke and dumplings to burgers and sweet treats.

The Club Narooma Oyster Bar is serving up Rock Oysters Natural, Kilpatrick and Mornay, along with Seafood Chowder and Prawns. For hand selected oysters paired with bubbles, head to the Narooma Rocks Sparkling Oyster Bar.

The Borrowed Cuttings Liquor Bar will be pouring their celebrated Picpoul Blanc, still and sparkling, alongside your favourite beers, mixed drinks and softs. Around the Festival, 25+ vintners, distillers and brewers are ready to pair their pours with oysters and bites from across the food market.

See the full food and drink line up on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Remember, children under 17 enter free when accompanied by an adult.

On Friday night, alongside dance performances, music and Guru Dudu’s free Silent Disco Walking Tour, kids watch Whale Coast Realty Fireworks light up Wagonga Inlet at 8.30pm.

On Saturday, there’s free face painting by the children’s playground, while near the Yuin Cultural Markets and Bushtucker there’s space to roll out a picnic rug while kids get crafty with National parks and Wildlife.

If they love a good beat, there’ll be the Merivale DJs and fun at the southern end of the Festival too — while the grown ups enjoy a beverage and a few more oysters.

Narooma’s Biggest Breakfast supported by Airbnb

A relaxed morning celebrating community, hospitality and great local flavour. The breakfast supports local groups who volunteer their time and expertise to help make Narooma such a great place to live, and we’re chipping in too, with 50% of the $10 ticket donated to their takings.

This is more than eggs and bacon and great coffee. The Narooma Rocks Oyster Van will be serving Rock Oysters and prawns, all with live music and easy Sunday vibes. We’ll also draw the winner of the brand new MG ZS Vibe car, with raffle tickets available online from now until 10.30am.

Tickets are limited, please check for availability.