The epic oyster harvest is planned, shuckers have refined their techniques over a busy Easter period, chefs have set their recipes and all the fine drops are bottled and the brews canned – we’re ready to welcome you to the 18th Narooma Oyster Festival!
This year is set to be something quite special. Rock Oyster Week begins on Saturday, April 26. As you move throughout Quota Park on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 you’ll see more seafood than ever before, smell the smoky goodness of food cooked over coals and grills and discover new pockets to sup, sit and slurp oysters with your friends.
All the program favourites are back – from Oyster Farmers Alley and cooking demonstrations to the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships and Australia’s Biggest Oyster.
Coaches run from Merimbula, Batemans Bay and Bermagui, and there’s a free shuttle bus around town – check out the routes and timetables here.
Oyster Farmers Alley
Oyster Farmers Alley has farmers from right across Rock Oyster Country (that’s New South Wales and particularly the South Coast) so there’s plenty of merroir for the purists. For those that like a challenge, as in a 500g plus Pacific Oyster, you can find those too, but there’s also a range of delicate, spicy and luxurious toppers that the farmers swear by. Think classic cucumber and chilli mingionette, kelp infusions, fingerlime pearls and chilled caviar.
Then, you can cheer them on in Australia’s Biggest Oyster and the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships, it’s the race that stops a festival!
Narooma Betta Home Living Cooking Demonstrations
The Narooma Betta Home Living Cooking Demonstrations are back and bigger than ever, with an incredible lineup of chefs bringing coastal creativity and global flair to the stage, giveaways, recipe handouts and tastings.
From the wilds of Tasmania to the heart of Melbourne and across the Tasman, our guest chefs will show you new ways to enjoy seafood, native ingredients and, of course, oysters. This year’s program is packed with flavour — expect dishes like pepperberry pickled mackerel, abalone dumplings, kingfish sashimi, oyster cream, and rock oysters three ways. Whether you’re here to be inspired, learn a new recipe or just soak up the atmosphere, this is where the real food magic happens.
Our host, Courtney Roulston, Sydney. Host of Farm to Fork.
Al Brown, NZ. Founder of Depot Eatery. Al is cooking Sashimi with Ginger Ninga, Kewpie and Wasabi Peas, along with Kingfish with Oyster Cream, Apple & Lemon Oil
Analiese Gregory, Tasmania. Host of Girls Guide to Fishing, Hunting and Cooking Wild. Analiese is cooking Oysters Rockefeller, Grilled Oysters with Seaweed Butter & Oysters with Cumquat Mignonette.
Nornie Bero: Chef, author, host of SBS’s Island Echoes. Nornie is cooking Pepperberry Pickled Mackerel with Wattleseed Mustard.
Alan Newbold, Narooma. Co-founder of Mr Bold Next Door. Alan is cooking Abalone & Mushroom Dumplings.
- Clayton Wells, Merivale. Clayton is cooking Tiger Prawn & Guanciale Skewers with Smoked Rosemary.
Live music and entertainment
Don’t miss the official opening with Welcome to Country by Walbunja man Wally Stewart and dancing with Doonooch Dancers, where everyone can share First Nations Culture.
Then, this year’s entertainment line-up is guaranteed to keep you moving! With soulful grooves and energetic, base slapping funk, the MG Stage will come alive across the weekend with an incredible mix of live performances.
On Friday night, Gang of Brothers bring their signature blend of soul and rock to the main stage, alongside the powerhouse vocals of Bek Jensen, who’s no stranger to bringing the house down. Saturday keeps the good vibes flowing with a dynamic program that includes headliners Whiskey Dram, more from Bek Jensen and her band and Tilba favourites Jazz Alley, return with their smooth sounds.
Roving entertainment returns in full force too. You’ll spot the flamboyant Disco Duk Duk leading the always-popular Silent Disco Walking Tours — a hit with all ages. The Poi-Twirling Oyster Ladies will once again bring oystery poetry and smiles as they dance along the foreshore with their hypnotic spins.
See the full program here.
Seafood spread the best yet, but that’s not all
Feast on lobster, abalone, urchin, octopus, prawns, kelp, and local fish species – cooked over coals, served cold with secret recipe sauces, or featured in tacos, bao buns, and po’ boys. There are plenty of options for those who don’t eat seafood or met too. The culinary creativity on display is simply extraordinary.
The Narooma Rocks Oyster Bar is adding prawns to the menu this year, and the famous Seafood Chowder will be back, along Rock Oysters Natural, Kilpatrick and Mornay. For hand selected oysters paired with sparkling, head to the Narooma Rocks Champagne Oyster Bar.
The Borrowed Cuttings Liquor Bar showcases their celebrated picpoul blanc, still and sparkling, alongside your favourite beers, mixed and soft drinks. Around the Festival, 25 vintners, distillers and brewers are waiting to to pair their pours with your oysters and snacks.
For the kids
Remember children under 16 enter free when accompanied by an adult!
On Friday night, aside from the music and Disco Duk Duk’s free Silent Disco Walking Tour, the kids will love playing in front of the epic 25m projections from Bioluminescent Project before watching the fireworks light up Wagonga Inlet from the MG Stage at 8.30pm.
On Saturday, there’s free face painting at the children’s playground, while over near the Yuin Cultural Markets and Bushtucker there’s space to throw down a picnic blanket while the kids get crafty at the Eurobodalla Youth Van. If they love a good DJ beat, the crew at Merivale will have one going at the southern end of the festival (while the adults enjoy a beverage and more oysters!)
Narooma’s Biggest Breakfast
Sunday, May 4 see’s a new event – Narooma’s Biggest Breakfast!
By joining us for breakfast, you’ll be supporting Narooma Chamber and the local groups who volunteer their time and expertise to make Narooma such a great place to live.
This breakfast is more than eggs and bacon and great coffee! Corey Costelloe of 20Chapel, Sydney, will be cooking up braised beef tacos, the Narooma Rocks Oyster Bar will be serving up shucked and whole Rock Oysters, served with a side of live music and plenty of great vibes. Plus, we’ll be drawing the car raffle winner of the brand-new 2024 MG ZS Excite!
There will be plenty of family fun and some limited seating under cover. Bring a picnic blanket and your coffee cup, and settle in for a morning of fantastic food and local hospitality.
Rock Oyster Week
The celebration starts early with Rock Oyster Week from April 26, spanning from Shoalhaven to Pambula Lake.
Learn to shuck with the Women’s Australian Champion, enjoy tastings and pairings, embark on e-bike adventures with oyster picnics, or kayak to oyster farms.
The adventurous can catch a seaplane to meet an oyster punt before heading to a waterfront lunch. For a more relaxed experience, art classes, theatre at the Kinema, and documentary screenings round out the offerings. Browse the program here.
