Australia’s Biggest Oyster Competition showcases the biggest oysters bought to the festival.

The title is held by ‘Jill’ a 3.01kg whopper grown by champions Bernie and Sharryn Connell in Bhundoo, the Clyde River at Batemans Bay.

The competition was launched in 2019, after we attempted to enter the Guinness Book of Records with what we thought was the World’s Biggest Oyster. It turned out out the way we measure ‘big’ was different to theirs – we go by weight, whereas the world record is set by length. A pitch to include weight, or establish a new category, was unsuccessful.

Now, the Australian Book of Records recognises largest oyster by weight and we are proud to be the joint inaugural title holders with Bernie and Sharryn.

This festival favourite shines a light on the Pacific Oyster, a species that can grow to weigh several kilograms and live for up to a decade.

Dr Kate LeBars from Montague Vets ensures each oyster is clean and healthy before it is weighed. If there is a tie (which happened in 2022), out comes the measuring tape to see who has the longest shell. After the winner is crowned, you can meet the farmers and see the oysters up close.

This event is proudly supported by Australia’s Oyster Coast, Australia’s largest producer of Sydney Rock Oysters.