Start the celebrations early with Rock Oyster Week and explore the wild merroir of the South Coast before the festival brings it all together in Narooma, the heart of Rock Oyster Country, from Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4, 2025.
It’s a journey that promises to invigorate your senses and deepen your appreciation for the Rock Oyster and it’s growers.
Elevate your experience in Friday’s Seared & Salty, supported by Olsson’s Salt or Saturday’s Rock Oyster Lounge, Supported by Mystery Bay Cottages.
APRIL 26 - MAY 4: ROCK OYSTER WEEK
A week-long curated program of experiences from estuary adventures, pairings and masterclasses to shucking lessons and live music.
See what’s on offer here, and we’ll direct you to the guides, growers and chefs to find out more and book your visit.
MAY 2: FRIDAY NIGHT WARM-UP
Live music, fireworks and OYSTERS!
4pm to 9pm
MG Stage
4.05pm Narooma High School
4.45pm Studio Blue Dance School
5.30pm Bek Jensen
6.30pm Gang of Brothers
8.30pm Whale Coast Realty Fireworks
5pm Meet Disco DukDuk for Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco Walking Tour
5.30pm to 8.30pm Bioluminescence Project with River of Art
Oyster & Liquor Bars
Narooma Rocks Oyster Bar
Rock Oysters natural and Kilpatrick, prawns and seafood chowder next to the MG Stage
Borrowed Cuttings Liquor Bar
Beer, wine, cider and soft drinks next to the MG Stage
Narooma Rocks Champagne Oyster Bar
Premium oysters, champagne and Borrowed Cuttings Picpoul Blanc from the Spitfire van
Food Markets
- Banjos Oysters Seafood Spread
- Blue Nami Japanese
- Chip on a Stick
- Cool Cones Icecream
- Dutch Pancakes
- King Korn
- Mother Tucker Tilba
- Patricio Paella
- Pirhaña Fish Co BBQ Octopus
- Phantom BBQ
- Port to Plate Cookbook abalone & urchin dishes
- The Nourished Sovereign
- Turkish Gozleme
- Valiant Coffee
- Yiayias Honey Balls
- Yummy Time Dumplings
- Wanderfood Catering
+ more
Shuttle bus
4.30pm to 9.30pm
No tickets needed – it’s free!
The shuttle bus runs on a loop between Dalmeny and the turn-off to the Old Princes Highway at Narooma
Seared & Salty, supported by Olsson’s Salt
An intimate twilight feast where the finest local produce is seasoned, smoked and seared over coals.
This culinary experience is a celebration of elemental cooking at its finest, prepared by Charly Pretet of Terra Firma Dining and fire pit master Marco. Paired with Glandore Wines, cocktails by SoHi Spirits and Rock Oysters curated by Appellation Oysters.
Proudly supported by Olsson’s Salt, the oldest family owned and operated sea salt maker in Australia.
Tickets include Friday night Festival entry and all food and drinks.
MAY 3: SATURDAY, THE BIG DAY
A huge day of tastings and exploring the foreshore festivities.
10am to 5.30pm
Oyster Farmers Alley
Tastings from South Coast estuaries and growers:
- Wallis Lakes
- Shoalhaven
- Clyde River
- Tuross Lake
- Wagonga Inlet
- Wapengo Lake
- Merimbula Lake
- Pambula Lake
Farmers & offerings out soon!
Australian Oyster Shucking Championships
From 3.15pm at the Cooking Demonstration Marquee
3.30pm Womens
4pm Mens
5pm The John Susman Medal presented to the overall winner, who becomes the Australian 2025 World Championship contender.
Supported by Australia’s Oyster Coast.
Australia's Biggest Oyster with Simon Marnie
11.45am at the MG Stage
Supported by Australia’s Oyster Coast
Narooma Betta Home Living Cooking Demonstration Program
Hosted by Courtney Roulston from Farm to Fork.
10.30am Clayton Wells from Merivale
11.20am Chef Al Newbold – Mr Bold Catering Co, Mr Bold Next Door, Narooma
12.15pm Chef Analiese Gregory – Girls Guide to Hunting Fishing & Cooking Wild, Tasmania
1.15pm Chef Nornie Bero – Chef, author, host of SBS’s Island Echoes TV Show & Ambassador for Coles
2.15pm Chef Al Brown – Depot Eatery, Federal Delicatessen, Best Ugly Bagels, New Zealand
MG Stage
10am Brothers South
11am Welcome to Country by Walbunja man Wally Stewart and dancing with Doonooch Dancers
11.45am Australia’s Biggest Oyster with Simon Marnie
12.30pm Jazz Alley
1.30pm Riff
2.45pm Bek Jensen
4pm Whiskey Dram
Oyster & Liquor Bars
Narooma Rocks Oyster Bar
Rock Oysters natural and Kilpatrick, prawns and seafood chowder next to the MG Stage
Borrowed Cuttings Liquor Bar
Beer, wine, cider and soft drinks next to the MG Stage
Narooma Rocks Champagne & Oyster Bar
Premium oysters, champagne and Borrowed Cuttings Picpoul Blanc from the Spitfire van
Brewers
- BentSpoke Brewing Co
- Big Niles Brewing Co
- Breakwall Brewing Co
- Broulee Brewhouse
- Crafty Cider
- Cupitts Estate
- Frogs Hollow Brewing Co
- Jervis Bay Brewing Co
- Longstocking Brewery
- Tumut River Brewing Co
- 4 Pines
Distillers
- Hickson House
- Hold Fast Distillery
- Nine Circles Distillery
- North of Eden Artisan Distillery
- Southbound Escapes Gin Bar
- South Coast Distillery
- Tara Distillery
Winemakers
- Bar & Beyond Italia
- Barwang Wines
- Borrowed Cuttings
- Cupitts Estate
- Glandore Wines
- Peterson House Wines
- Mount Majura Vineyard
- Murrumbateman Winery
Food Market
- Banjo’s Oysters Seafood
- Blue Nami Japanese Poke
- Bruschetta & Toastie
- Bunyip’s Hemp Farms
- Chip on a Stick
- Cool Cones Icecream
- Disaster Bay Chillies
- Easy Catering mini-dutch pancakes
- FATV Jerky
- Kielty’s Irish Sauces
- King Corn
- Merimbula Sweet & Sour Lolly Shop
- Mystery Bay Kelp
- Miranda Bakery
- Mother Tucker Tilba
- Narooma Bridge Seafoods Lobster and Morton Bay Bug Rolls
- Patricio Seafood Paella (formerly Cranky Cafe)
- Phantom BBQ
- Pirhana Fish Co’s BBQ octopus
- Port to Plate Cookbook with abalone & urchin dishes
- Riverina Jerky
- The Cafe Coffee
- The Honey Library
- The Nourished Sovereign Coffee, Teas & Tonics
- Valiant Coffee
- Wanderfood bao buns
- White Feather Pickles, Jams & Sauces
- Yiayias Honey Balls (loukoumades)
Yuin Cultural Markets
- Bushtucker with Narooma High School
- Dadirri Dreaming
- Gadhungal Marring
- Garraywaa Gallery
- Jerringong Cultural Dreaming
- Jirribitti Dreaming
- Marra-Wanggan Cultural Services
- Ozie Pipe Clothing
- Sonia Pallett Silver Jewellery
Street Theatre
1.30pm – 2.30pm Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco Walking Tour with Disco Duk Duk
10.30am, noon, 3pm Roving Poi Pearl Ladies
Silly Side Face Painting
Markets
- Also Fine FoodBlue Wren Collective
- David Lay
- Dusty Goat Designs
- Eurobodalla Shire Council Youth Van
- Fi & B’s Natural Stone Jewellery
- Glampton Shells
- Kitchy Kitchen
- Maya Lane Earrings & Headwear
- Mazzart homewares
- Mojo Hats
- Nature Coast Marine Group
- Ocean Watch
- Provincial Platters
- Piste and Trail Activewear
- Sapphire Coast Candle Company
- Sapphire Pottery
- Seven Seas Apparel
- Shark Smart
- South Coast Creations
- Studio Etc. Ceramics
- Suit Yourself InStyle
- Transport for NSW Breathtesting
Coaches
Book your spot by Wednesday, April 30!
Ticketed coaches travel from Merimbula, Bermagui and Batemans Bay
Shuttle bus
10am to 5.30pm.
No tickets needed – it’s free!
The shuttle bus runs on a loop between Dalmeny and the turn-off to the Old Princes Highway
Saturday Premium Experiences
Champagne & Oyster Masterclass
Celebrate the relationship between the terroirs of Champagne and the merroirs of Rock Oyster Country in a tasting with the very best guides and produce.
Presented by Champagne Bureau director John Noble, you will discover how environmental conditions and cultivation techniques impart distinctive characteristics and create a taste sensation when paired. This experience is a terroirs-driven Champagne tasting representing a cross-section of the diversity of Champagne wines, presented with 2024 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show Gold Medallist Rock Oysters from Wapengo Lake, Wallis Lake, Pambula Lake and Nelson Lagoon.
Inclusions:
- 6 Champagne cuvee and Rock Oyster tastings
- Please note this event does not include Saturday General Admission, please purchase this ticket separately
- This experience is not suitable for children under 18
Sydney Royal Ultimate Oyster Experiences
Our signature experience, and a rare opportunity to dive deep into the merroir, or the ‘taste of place’ with leading Australian seafood authority John Susman, Sydney Royal Aquaculture Chair of Judges.
It’s a transformative tasting with the best oysters from the South Coast and the Sydney Royal Fine Food Aquaculture Competition.
Matched with celebrated wines, bread and butter, by the end you’ll be an expert in rock, angasi and pacific oyster gastronomy and understand the importance of fresh shucked oysters – it’s a culinary necessity!
Gin Lovers Masterclass with Rock Oysters
Saturday, May 3
Explore the journey of this celebrated spirit from grain to glass.
Hosted by the makers from Nine Circles Distillery and North of Eden Artisan Distillery and paired with a half a dozen Rock Oysters, you will gain a greater understanding of distillation, tasting techniques, botanical profiling and why spirits of the South Coast are becoming so revered.
Crafty Brews Masterclass with Rock Oysters
Saturday, May 3
Get ready to deepen your appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every pour.
Hosted by Far South Coast NSW hop growers Ryefield Hops, along with the brewers themselves, Big Niles Brewing Co (Dalmeny) and Breakwall Brewing Co (Narooma) and paired with a half dozen Rock Oysters.
You’ll gain a greater understanding of beer styles, tasting techniques, flavour and aroma profiling, and the essential role ingredients play in creating great beer.
Rock Oyster Lounge
Supported by Mystery Bay Cottages
Saturday, May 3
Set on the grassy shore of the Inlet, yet close to the heart of the action, the Rock Oyster Lounge blends comfort, indulgence and culinary craftsmanship with live music by singer songwriter Giaan Cafe.
As a Lounge guest, you’ll have the opportunity to watch and chat with chefs and shuckers as they prepare your next tasting. Terra Firma Dining’s fire-pit masters will serve up exquisite small bites, slow-roasted, grilled, smoked, and seared over the flames – celebrating the best of local seafood and produce.
Visit the Rock Oyster Raw Bar, or meet our roving shuckers for a selection of dry-shucked Rock Oysters – the purest way to experience merroir, featuring premium selections from Oyster Smiths.
At the liquor bar, sip on a G&T crafted by award-winning artisanal distillers North of Eden, enjoy a Talisker ‘Made by the Sea’ single malt whisky cocktail, or choose from a selection of celebrated beer, wine, and bubbles.
Champagne & Oyster Masterclass
Saturday, May 3
Celebrate the relationship between the terroirs of Champagne and the merroirs of Rock Oyster Country in a tasting with the very best guides and produce.
Presented by Champagne Bureau director John Noble, you will discover how environmental conditions and cultivation techniques impart distinctive characteristics and create a taste sensation when paired. This experience is a terroirs-driven Champagne tasting representing a cross-section of the diversity of Champagne wines, presented with 2024 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show Gold Medallist Rock Oysters from Wapengo Lake, Wallis Lake, Pambula Lake and Nelson Lagoon.
Inclusions:
- 6 Champagne cuvee and Rock Oyster tastings
- Please note this event does not include Saturday General Admission, please purchase this ticket separately
- This experience is not suitable for children under 18
Champagne Oyster Cruises
Saturday, May 3
Cruise the Wagonga Inlet from the festival fringe, with bubbles and Rock Oysters!
Wagonga Inlet is one of the largest producers of Rock Oysters and one of the most beautiful on the South Coast. Glide by the oyster leases while you delight in freshly shucked Rock Oysters and sip on bubbles or a craft beer.
Learn more about the fascinating world of oysters and the Wagonga Princess, a 1905 Huon Pine vessel steeped in old-world charm and equipped with solar electric engines. Cruises run for 50 minutes and depart from a jetty at the southern end of the Festival.
MAY 4: NAROOMA'S BIGGEST BREAKFAST
Bring your picnic blanket!
8am to 12pm
Entry is free, your breakfast purchase will help to support our local legends!
FOOD
This breakfast is more than eggs and bacon and great coffee, it’s a community feast where good food meets good company.
Plus leading chef and master of cooking over fire, Corey Costelloe of 20 Chapel, Sydney will be making Braised Beef Tacos with Avocado and Jalapeno Sauce.
DRINKS
Start your day with a barista coffee, enjoy a comforting tea, or a cheeky drop from the Narooma Rocks van.
OYSTERS
RAFFLE DRAW MG ZS Excite
Your support helps ensure our community run, not-for-profit, annual celebration of the rock oyster can continue in the years to come.
The prize is valued at $24,990 Drive Away with extras, tickets from $25.
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