The 18th Narooma Oyster Festival was a resounding success, welcoming an estimated 9700 festival goers to celebrate the Rock Oyster at Australia’s biggest shellar door at Quota park on the shores of Wagonga Inlet.
More than 67,000 oysters were harvested, shucked and served throughout the festival, with thousands more served during Rock Oyster Week leading into the weekend.
It’s an extraordinary feat, especially given the challenges faced by the industry in the lead-up to the weekend on May 2 to 4. After a busy Easter and several estuary closures, including Narooma’s own Wagonga Inlet, the effort by NSW oyster farmers was nothing short of heroic.
Not only did they rally to meet demand, but they also banded together, sharing supply and even lending hands to open another 3000 oysters in just one hour when the crowd’s appetite exceeded expectations.
This camaraderie took centre stage during the two roof-raising hours of the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships where 18 of the nation’s best shuckers competed for the ultimate prize, the John Susman Medal and an invitation to represent Australia in Ireland at the World Oyster Opening Championships in September.
In a rare four shucker final of the Men’s Championships, Greg Carton of Broadwater Oysters cleanly opened 30 rock oysters in 2 minutes and 52 seconds, with zero penalties from judges Simon Marnie and Corey Costelloe. A long-time competitor and previous bronze and silver medallist, Greg was elated, along with thousands of fans who gathered to watch the race that stops a festival. He has already begun preparations to represent Australia at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway in September.
“I never thought this would happen, I thought I was a perennial bronze medalist,” Greg said. “But here we go, anything can happen!”
“This festival is awesome for our industry, it’s great to meet so many oyster lovers. We get to meet them face to face and catch up with all our friends in the industry and it’s one of our favourite, favourite events of the year.”
“I’m so proud of all the farmers here, it’s a great bunch of guys and gals and it’s wonderful to be here with them.”
Sally McLean of Jim Wild’s Oysters Shoalhaven’s Greenwell Point reclaimed the trophy from 2024 Champion Sue McIntyre of Broadwater Oysters, with a flawless plate and a time of 3 minutes 32 seconds. Sue was just one second behind Sally, but had an uncharacteristic one second penalty for a broken shell and a cut oyster. Jade “Shuck” Norris of Oyster Shed on Wray, a five-time bronze medallist, achieved her personal best with 3:40 and no penalties.
“I’m so over the moon, it’s such a tough competition and the women here are such champions,” Sally said.
Australia’s Biggest Oyster was won by a new contender from the Connell’s Clyde River stable, Jack Junior, who weighed in at 2.53 kilograms. Ten farmers all bought their big pets along, and all are safely back in the water to keep growing for the next festival. Both oyster competitions are proudly supported by Australia’s Oyster Coast.
Volunteers once again proved the backbone of the festival, from slicing kilos of lemons to running bars, premium experiences and of course the oyster shell recycling which is still being tallied but last year saw over one tonne of shells reclaimed from landfill and used on oyster reefs and in homewares. More than 100 volunteers supported the event, and the Narooma Chamber of Commerce and nine local charities delivered a Sunday breakfast for nearly 500 people.
The excitement reached a high point at Sunday’s community breakfast when Krystyna Ennis was announced as the lucky winner of the MG ZS Excite, generously provided by MG Batemans Bay. Holding ticket number 148, Krystyna’s name was drawn in front of a lively crowd, capping off the weekend. The popular car raffle, a major highlight of the festival, helps support festival fundraising efforts and continues to attract strong community support each year.
With accommodation providers already reporting early bookings for 2026, the appetite for Australia’s premier oyster event continues to grow.
Festival vendors reported a bumper year and the range of regional seafood, produce, beer, wine, and spirits represented the best of the South Coast and Eurobodalla. The new Gin Lovers and Crafty Brews Masterclasses and a relaxed Sunday breakfast with Narooma Chamber of Commerce and nine charity groups from Narooma and Tilba received enthusiastic reviews from visitors.
“Our festival brings together the best of the South Coast: the oysters, the producers, the people,” said Cath Peachey, Chair of Narooma Rocks.
This marked her final year at the helm, after 13 years of hands-on and strategic involvement. “This community gives so much, from farmers to volunteers to local businesses and sponsors,” she said.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of something that now brings more than $4 million into the local economy, plus an additional $1.2 million in discretionary spend. Early indicators suggest we’ll well and truly exceed that in 2025, once the 30 additional events and experiences from Rock Oyster Week are included.”
Cath continued “Tourism, accommodation and hospitality venues were pumping over the weekend as you would expect, but people may not realise there are also a wide array of local trades and services, including plumbers, electricians, bakers, cheese and ice makers involved, underlining how deeply the festival supports the broader regional economy.”
Save the Date for May 1-3, 2026
The Narooma Oyster Festival is always held on the first weekend in May, following Rock Oyster Week in the last week of April.
Whether you’re an oyster purist chasing merroir, a curious foodie keen on the autumn harvest from land and sea, or just looking for the ultimate coastal escape with a spot of adventure and arts, now’s the time to lock in the dates.
With accommodation in Narooma already filling fast and a new program already on the drawing board, Narooma and Eurobodalla make for the ultimate autumn getaway.
