This page last updated on February 28, 2023.
Narooma Oyster Festival aims to create welcoming, safe, inclusive and enjoyable event for everyone.
This page will be updated as planning progresses. In the meantime, you may wish to complete our questionnaire to share your details with us before the festival.
We welcome enquiries to discuss your personal needs, or the needs of your group. Email us at info@naroomaoysterfestival.com, and we can chat online, or arrange phone call or video call.
You may also wish to subscribe to our newsletter here, we use MailChimp.
Tickets will be available for purchase in February, 2023.
Festival information
Travel and parking
Assisted parking will available close to the main gate for those with a Mobility Parking Pass. A drop-off area will be available near the festival entrance. An accessible parking area is located next to the festival entry on Lynch Street, please note this parking area is grassed.
Public parking is available on Barker Parade between Field Street and Hyland Avenue. Parking attendants will be on site to assist and offer directions to the festival site. The festival main entrance is a level walk of between 200 metres and 450 metres from this parking area.
Please allow extra time to find a park and make your way to the festival entry.
Narooma Oyster Festival Shuttle Bus: (AccessTBC)
A free, 12 seater shuttle bus service operates around Narooma on Friday night and Saturday. Friday’s service operates between 4.30pm and 9.30pm. Saturday’s service operates between 10.30am and 5.30pm. There is a level grassy walk of approximately 50 metres from the shuttle bus stop to the festival entry.
Chartered Coach (Access TBC)
Saturday’s coach service travels from towns north and south of Narooma. North of Narooma, coaches will travel from Batemans Bay to Narooma stopping at Lincoln Downs, Broulee, Moruya, Tuross Heads turn-off and Bodalla. South of Narooma, coaches will travel from Bermagui and Cobargo on the Sapphire Coast, stopping at the Tilba and Tilba Tilba bus stops. See more information and purchase tickets on our transport page.
On festival weekend look for the Narooma Oyster Festival stop signs and clearly marked coaches.
Entry Instructions
The festival’s main entry is at the northern end of Quota park on Riverside Drive, at the roundabout conjunction with Field Street and Lynch Street. There will be an entry lane for ticket holders and entry lane for patrons who need to purchase a ticket. A smaller entry is at the southern end of Quota Park (closer to Bettini Lane) but there is no parking.
Information services, including large format printed map and program, are available at the gate and the information marquee.
Carers can enter for free by presenting a valid companion card and children under 16 can enter for free with an adult.
Where do I go after I enter?
After you enter the festival, a clearly marked festival information marquee is located approximately 50m from the entry on the right side of the road. Our volunteers will be able to answer any questions you have and provide you with a printed map and program. An MC will also make regular program announcements from the main stage.
Shaded rest areas, toilets, a sensory marquee and designated accessible and inclusive viewing areas will be marked on the festival map which will be released prior to the festival. A large sign with a map and program will also be positioned inside the festival near the McMillan Road Roundabout.
Blue waymakers are positioned throughout the festival. They are approximately 2m tall and topped with directional signage for main festival zones and premium experiences.
Toilets
There are two right and and two left handed accessible portable toilets within the festival. These areas will be marked on the festival map and more information about these facilities will be available before the festival. There is also one permanent right handed accessible toilet at the southern end of the festival (look for the mural).
The nearest Changing Places and MLAC facilities are at Batemans Bay Pavillion and Corrigans Beach, 76 kilometres north of Narooma.
Information Marquee
We have two information marquees where you can speak with an information officer or pick up a printed copy of the program. The first marquee is positioned near the festival’s main entrance, and the second is positioned near the main stage.
Programs
The program will be available in various ways. Prior to the festival it will be published on the website and social media. During the festival look for signage, or visit an Information Marquee for a printed copy. The Festival MC will also make regular announcements from the main stage.
Site map
A site map will be published online prior to the festival and available at the festival. The festival site is at Quota Park, Narooma on the shores of Wagonga Inlet. The site is flat and the grounds are a combination of well maintained lawn, concrete pathway and bitumen road. Way finders are positioned throughout the festival.
Closed Captions
Closed captions are used where possible. Screens will be used in the Cooking Demonstration Program, the Oyster Shucking Competition and the Rock Oyster Lounge.
Passes
Passes are available for carers, parking and assistance animals.
Children
Free entry for children under 16.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance animals are most welcome however please bring water, food and some doggy bags for cleanup. There is a water station and ground level bowl near the children’s playground.
Designated viewing areas
Specially marked areas for accessible and inclusive viewing will be marked on the site map. Find them at the main stage (where you can feel the beats with a SUBPACK tactile vest), the cooking demonstration area (a marquee with screens and closed captions) and the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships (the cooking demonstration marquee).
SUBPAC Vests
SUBPACK Vests accurately transfer audio into a multi-sensory tactile experience, providing users with the ability to physically feel the beat of music. Thanks to the Department of Regional NSW, a number of vests will be available to any person with a sensory disability, d/Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind to experience the music at the main stage. Vests will be available in the main stage accessible and inclusive viewing area.
Premium experiences
If you would like more information about our premium experiences or would like to discuss your personal requirements please contact us at info@naroomaoysterfestival.com.
Please note Saturday’s Champagne and Oyster Cruises are not suitable for mobility equipment, however you may be able to arrange a cruise outside of festival dates by speaking directly with Wagonga Inlet Cruises.
Sensory marquee
For some quiet time out, a simple sensory marquee is available in a quieter area of the festival. More information will be available prior to the festival.
Strobe lights & projections
On Friday night the festival program continues into the evening. Please note that the main stage will have flashing lights and strobe lighting and there will be projected animations displayed on the cooking demonstration marquee.
Fireworks
Please note there will be a 10 to 15 minute fireworks display at 8.30pm on Friday night.
Subscribe to e-news
Be notified via email when new information is released by signing up at https://www.naroomaoysterfestival.com/subscribe.
We use Mailchimp, which offers a plain-text version for readers who prefer a simpler design.
Volunteer
Each year more than 100 volunteers help to deliver the festival. To find out more, please visit our Information for Volunteers, or email us at volunteer@naroomaoysterfestival.com if you would like to volunteer during the festival, or to help the planning team throughout the year.