Tickets on sale Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Australia's iconic oyster shellabration!
Set in the heart of Rock Oyster Country, the Narooma Oyster Festival is Australia’s iconic rock oyster shellabration!
Running from April 26 – May 4, it’s a tribute to Rock Oysters and their dedicated growers. It’s also the home of the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships and Australia’s Biggest Oyster. Arrive a little earlier for Rock Oyster Week as we gather to celebrate merroir at southern NSW’s largest food and drink festival on the first weekend in May!
Guest chefs include Tasmania’s Analiese Gregory (How Wild Things Are), New Zealand’s Al Brown (Depot Eatery), Narooma’s own Al Newbold (Mr Bold), Courtney Roulston (Farm to Fork) and more!
Program Highlights
ROCK OYSTER WEEK
Arrive from April 26 for Rock Oyster Week, a unique program of culinary, cultural and natural delights.
Events span South Coast estuaries and eateries from Shoalhaven River to Pambula Lake. Discover the merroir of Rock Oyster Country on a journey that promises to invigorate your senses and deepen your appreciation for nature’s bounties.
Program coming soon!
FRIDAY, MAY 2
Oyster Festival Classic
Golf by the sea, an easy Ambrose over nine holes followed by a seafood lunch at Narooma Golf Club.
General Admission
- 4pm – 8.30pm at Quota Park
- Narooma Rocks Oyster Bar
- Narooma Rocks Champagne Oyster Bar
- Borrowed Cuttings Festival Liquor Bar
- Mini Food Market
- Bioluminescence @ Narooma Oyster Festival
- River of Art
- Live music and performers
- Fireworks over the inlet at 8.30pm.
- Free entry for children under 16
- Free shuttle bus around town
Seared & Salty Premium Dining
We’re getting the fire pits ready for an indulgent twilight feast on the foreshore at Quota Park. Think exceptional produce treated with masterful simplicity in collaboration with Terra Firma Dining.
SATURDAY, MAY 3
A huge day of tastings, oyster competitions and exploring the festivities on the shore of Wagonga Inlet at Quota Park.
Buses from Batemans Bay, Bega and Bermagui and a free shuttle around Narooma.
General Admission
- 10am – 5pm
- Oyster Farmers Alley
- Australian Oyster Shucking Championships
- Australia’s Biggest Oyster
- Betta Home Living Cooking Demonstrations with Tasmania’s Analiese Gregory (How Wild Things Are), New Zealand’s Al Brown (Depot Eatery) Narooma’s own Al Newbold (Mr Bold) and host Courtney Roulston and more
- Narooma Rocks Oyster Bar
- Narooma Rocks Champagne Oyster Bar
- Borrowed Cuttings Liquor Bar
- 20+ Brewers, distillers and wine makers
- 70+ Producers, food vendors and market stalls
- MG Main Stage
- Roving performers
- Free entry for children under 16
Premium Experiences
- Rock Oyster Lounge
- Ultimate Oyster Experiences
- Beer, bubbles & gin masterclasses (with oysters!)
- Champagne Oyster Cruises
SUNDAY, MAY 4
Narooma’s Biggest Breakfast
Head back to the foreshore of Quota Park for free entry to Narooma’s Biggest Breakfast.
Hosted by the legends of our community – eggs, bacon and coffee are just the beginning.
Bring a picnic blanket, your coffee cup and settle in for a breakfast feast with oysters and live music.
Plus we’ll we will draw the raffle and name the winner of a new 2024 MG ZS Excite!
Sydney Royal Ultimate Oyster Experiences
Saturday, May 3
A transformative tasting masterclass with the best of the best.
It is a rare opportunity to dive deep into the world of oysters and merroir with John Susman, Sydney Royal Aquaculture Chair of Judges and a man who can identify an oyster’s origin in a blind tasting.
Featuring winners from the Sydney Royal Fine Food Aquaculture and Wine Competitions, you will soon be an expert in rock, angasi and pacific oyster gastronomy and understand the importance of fresh shucked oysters.
Please note this event is not suitable for children under 18 years of age.
Oyster Farmers Alley
Saturday, May 3
Oyster Farmers Alley is a stunning showcase of the unique merroir of Rock Oyster Country, brought to you directly by the farmers themselves.
Each stall offers a selection of natural and topped oysters, and you’ll have the chance to speak directly with the growers about the distinct flavours that occur naturally in their estuaries and how they cultivate them to produce some of the best oysters in the world. Some farmers even offer shucking classes, so you can learn to open oysters like a pro!
In addition to the native Rock Oyster, you can sample Angasi and Pacific Oysters, including some impressive 500g grandes. You’ll also find other delicious seafood here, including local lobster and Australian prawns.
Cooking Demonstrations
Saturday, May 3
Join our host Courtney Roulston, chef Analiese Gregory (How wild things are), chef Al Brown (NZ) and others soon to be announced, in a series of seafood focussed cooking demonstrations that will supercharge your culinary skills.
These sessions are included in General Admission and always a hit with both the chefs and the audience. Get in early to grab a tasting and a recipe card.
Over the years, we’ve welcomed culinary greats Colin Fassnidge (MKR), Julie Goodwin (Masterchef), Corey Costelloe (20Chapel), Hao Chen (Raku), Serif Kaya (The Ottoman) and Mark Olive (The Black Olive).
Champagne Oyster Cruises
Saturday, May 3
Cruise Wagonga Inlet from the festival fringe, with bubbles, beer and oysters!
Board the 120-year-old Wagonga Princes and glide by the oyster leases while you delight in freshly shucked Rock Oysters and sip on Moet champagne or craft beer.
Learn more about the world of oysters from a local farmer and experience the natural wonder of this stunning estuary.
This experience does not include General Admission and is not suitable for children under 18 years of age.
Premium Dining
Friday, May 2
An exclusive, twilight ‘fire-to-table’ experience with Terra Firma Dining that celebrates the finest foods in a relaxed but sophisticated waterfront marquee.
As the sun sets over Wagonga Inlet, mingle with fellow guests while enjoying a glass of champagne and freshly shucked rock oysters. The menu showcases the best seafood and produce from the southeast regions and beyond. The evening culminates in a spectacular fireworks display over the inlet, concluding the feast with a sweet finale.
It’s the perfect prelude to Saturday’s main event. Tickets include Friday night Festival entry, along with all food and drinks.
Rock Oyster Lounge
Saturday, May 3
Step into a premium retreat to refresh and recharge between your festival adventures.
Set close to the heart of the action, the Lounge offers more than a prime waterfront view. Enjoy all-day gourmet bites with tastings from producer pop-ups. The Lounge includes General Admission to the Festival, along with exclusive, over 18s access to a waterfront lawn, a cozy indoor area, a private bar, amenities and live music.
Coaches
Leave the car at home!
Staying outside of Narooma? Book your spot and leave the car at home! Coaches travel between Batemans Bay, Merimbula and Bermagui. Tickets close on Tuesday, April 29.
Free Shuttle Bus
Friday & Saturday
The Shuttle Bus travels on a 20-minute loop around Dalmeny and Narooma.
Please note:
- Pets are prohibited
- Children under 16 require a free ticket
- Ticketed Coaches from Batemans Bay, Bega and Bermagui on Saturday May, 3
- Free shuttle bus around Narooma on Friday and Saturday
- This event including festival bars, is cashless. Stallholders may accept cash at their discretion.
- See more in our FAQs
