15 Reasons to Get Shucked at Narooma Oyster Festival 2025
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Love outstanding seafood, celebrity chefs, and a world record-holding oyster? The South Coast’s premier food festival is back and better than ever this May.
Get ready to shuck, slurp, and celebrate as the Narooma Oyster Festival returns to the stunning shores of Wagonga Inlet on Friday, 2 to Sunday 4 May. This year’s festival promises an even more impressive lineup of culinary stars, seafood experiences, and coastal adventures that will delight your senses.
Here are 15 irresistible reasons to head south for this year’s oyster extravaganza.
1. The Oysters… Of Course!
Image: Destination NSW
It’s been a spectacular season, and these plump beauties are brimming with that signature blend of sweet, creamy goodness that only Rock Oysters can deliver.
An impressive 65,000 oysters will be harvested, shucked, and thoroughly enjoyed throughout the festival. Each estuary produces its own unique “merroir,” with farmers proudly bringing their best harvests to Oyster Farmers Alley. There you can savour them in their natural glory or topped with mouthwatering accompaniments like Yarra Valley Caviar or finger lime.
2. The Biggest Seafood Spread Yet
The cool waters of the South Coast produce outstanding seafood, and this year boasts an incredible range throughout the festival. 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. The culinary creativity on display is simply extraordinary.
3. Star-Studded Cooking Demonstrations
Image of Analiese Gregory by Adam Gibson
Saturday’s cooking program has evolved to even greater heights in 2025 with five chefs presenting a program that’s unmissable for foodies.
Courtney Roulston (Farm to Fork) returns as host including pepperberry pickled mackerel, sashimi kingfish with oyster cream, tiger prawn & guanciale skewers, and rock oysters three ways.
Narooma’s local produce champion Alan Newbold will showcase his signature abalone dumplings; New Zealand restaurateur and TV star Al Brown (whose Depot Eatery landed in TripAdvisor’s Top 10% Worldwide); Michelin-starred huntress and foraging queen Analiese Gregory travelling up from Tasmania; renowned Australian chef and Executive Chef at Merivale Clayton Wells and Native ingredient hero Nornie Bero of Island Echoes Series, bringing her Torres Strait touch fused with Melbourne’s culinary creativity.
4. Rock Oyster Week Returns
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 truly 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.
5. Australia’s Biggest Oyster Competition
Image: Narooma Rocks
Last year, this quirky competition yielded a new world record when an oyster named Jill tipped the scales at a whopping 3.01kg. Festival organisers are keeping quiet about this year’s contenders, as farmers scour their leases for oversized specimens that have grown even larger over the past 12 months. Will we see a new record-breaker?
6. Australian Oyster Shucking Championships
If you’ve never witnessed professional shuckers competing, you’re in for a treat – just prepare to lose your voice from cheering! These masters combine incredible speed and technique to present 30 perfectly shucked oysters to the judges, ideally in under three minutes. It’s a global sport, and festival organisers have their sights set on hosting the World Championships in the future.
7. Explore Beautiful Eurobodalla
Beyond the festival excitement, Narooma and its surrounding villages retain their charm and laid-back appeal. The crisp evenings and still-warm days create perfect conditions for daytime adventures and cozy fireside evenings. Take time to walk on Country with a Yuin elder, explore local artisan galleries, or tackle some of the 500km of world-class mountain bike trails throughout Narooma and Mogo.
8. Early Whale Migration Viewing
In an exciting development, humpback whales – and even a rare Sperm Whale – have already been spotted, arriving two weeks earlier than last year’s first sighting. Boat charters from Narooma can take you to sacred Baranguba (Montague Island), where resident penguins and seals are joined by migrating birds and these magnificent marine mammals. There’s nothing quite like being “mugged” by one of these gentle giants – trust us, it’s a good thing!
9. Live Music and Entertainment
What’s a festival without fantastic entertainment? This year’s program features an impressive lineup of musicians, with local and national acts providing the perfect soundtrack to your seafood feast. Performances range from chilled acoustic sets to energetic bands that will have you on your feet.
10. Sustainable Seafood Celebration
Image: Destination NSW
The festival isn’t just about indulgence – it’s also a celebration of sustainable aquaculture practices. Engage with farmers who draw on generations of knowledge to care for their oysters and their estuaries, learning about their commitment to environmental stewardship while enjoying the literal fruits of their labour. Remember to recycle your shells in the specially marked bins when you’re done!
12. Impressive Beverage Selection
The festival boasts an impressive lineup of local and regional beverage producers. Visit the Borrowed Cuttings Liquor Bar near the MG Stage for beer, wine, cider, and soft drinks, or indulge at the Narooma Rocks Champagne & Oyster Bar featuring premium oysters, champagne, and Borrowed Cuttings Picpoul Blanc served from the Spitfire van.
Beer enthusiasts can sample creations from nine breweries including BentSpoke Brewing Co, Breakwall Brewing Co, Broulee Brewhouse, and Tumut River Brewing Co. Spirit lovers will enjoy offerings from six distilleries including Hickson House, Foxdog Distillery, Nine Circles Distillery, and North of Eden Artisan Distillery. Wine connoisseurs can visit eight winemakers including Glandore Wines, Barwang Wines, Cupitts Estate, and Mount Majura Vineyard.
13. Diverse Food Market
Beyond oysters, the Food Market features a diverse array of culinary delights from over 25 vendors. Highlights include A Pinch of Yum Bao Buns, Blue Nami Japanese Poke, Narooma Bridge Seafoods’ Lobster and Morton Bay Bug Rolls, and Mystery Bay Kelp. Sweet treats abound from Fairy Floss Kingdom, Cool Cones Icecream, and Yiayias Honey Balls (loukoumades).
14. Yuin Cultural Markets
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the region at the Yuin Cultural Markets. Explore Bushtucker Food, connect with Gumaraa Aboriginal Experience and Jirribitti Dreaming, or engage with Marra-Wanggan Cultural Services and more. This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your appreciation of the traditional custodians of the land.
14. Fun-Filled Entertainment
The festival offers entertainment beyond food and drink to keep visitors of all ages engaged. Enjoy the unique street theatre experience with Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco Walking Tour with Disco Duk Duk, marvel at the graceful movements of the Roving Poi Pearl Ladies, or let the kids transform their faces with Silly Side Face Painting. These roving entertainers will surprise and delight as their make their way throughout the festival grounds.
15. Artisan Markets
Browse the diverse artisan markets where local creators showcase their talents and wares. You’ll find everything from handcrafted jewellery and ceramics to stylish apparel and unique homewares from vendors like Glampton Shells, Sapphire Pottery, Seven Seas Apparel, Blue Wren Collective, and Studio Etc. Ceramics. You’re sure to find a special souvenir to remember your festival experience.
