Narooma Oyster Festival

FESTIVAL POSTPONED

The 2020 festival will be postponed to 1 May 2021. 

This follows recommendations by the Federal Government and health authorities that gatherings of more than 500 people should not proceed in order to control the spread of COVID-19.While postponing the event is disappointing for the many visitors and festival regulars, it is the right thing to do. It will also be sorely felt by the region following the economic setback caused by the recent bushfires.Sadly, this year’s festival was shaping up to be our best yet. Our thoughts are with our oyster farmers, stallholders and community who will be affected by this decision. We are now putting our energy into delivering an exciting calendar of smaller bespoke events with the aim to continue to promote Narooma, the local oyster industry and culinary tourism on the NSW south coast.

Ticket holders, please rest assured you will receive a full refund in coming days. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you next time.

Join us in Narooma for the 2020 Oyster Festival!

Attracting thousands each year, the multiple award winning Narooma Oyster Festival celebrates South Coast NSW oysters and the region’s natural clean quality produce, chefs, and rich artistic and cultural talents.

Held on the first weekend of May every year, this festival has gathered the attention of foodies, chefs and global media - so come and see what it's all about! 

The Oyster Festival has always had something for everyone from fine foodies to families, combining a cosmopolitan quality food experience with family entertainment.

Watch the shucking competition, taste a selection of oysters tasting from all of our local estuaries - while taking in the views at the festival’s stunning location at Wagonga Inlet, Forster’s Bay. There's live music, regional wines, craft beer & cider to taste and entertainment for kids all day.

Narooma Oyster Festival - Saturday Festival

Oysters, Tasting, Cooking Demos, Shucking, Music and more!

Quota Park, Saturday May 2nd |10am - 5:30pm

Enjoy music all day, taste oysters and have a laugh with the roving entertainment for the kids. There's shucking comps, watch cooking demonstrations and more!

Cooking Demonstrations

Each year our chefs are like a who’s who of fine food and seafood – many of them hatted, celebrities and specialists in their field. Expect high calibre of chefs. Previous chefs have included Corey Costelloe (executive chef, Rockpool), Stephen Hodges, Nick Gardner, Maggie Beer, Julie Goodwin and many more.

Running from morning to later in the afternoon, the cooking demonstrations are highly popular. Watch the action close up as highly skilled, award winning chefs prepare seafood and local produce in innovate ways. Then have a taste!

Narama Nangara

Traditional Cooking Demonstrations and local culture

As part of our extensive cultural program, Narama Nangara (Narooma Oysters) - we have traditional cooking demonstrations by Koori elders using a firepit and traditional preparation methods. Gather around and learn traditional, indigenous methods of cooking all types of local seafoods.

Ultimate Oyster Experience

Saturday May 2nd | 45 minute sessions | 10:30am - 4:15pm

Experience the world of oysters in an exclusive masterclass setting. An oyster farmer will guide you through a tasting of natural oysters from local estuaries. 

Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine on arrival before tasting the very best oysters as selected by oyster sommeliers. Learn about the flavour profiles between oyster species – Angasi, Pacific and Rock – and discover how the flavours of our indigenous Rock Oysters are influenced by their environment. Known as oyster “merroir”, you can taste the difference in Rock Oysters from one estuary to the next! 

There are five 45-minute sessions available. Local produce tasting platters, complimentary wines and a special produce bag for you to take home are also included. Please be advised that this is a popular event that sells out quickly. 

Long Table Dinner

Quota Park, Friday May 1st | 5:30pm - 9:00pm

Set on the shores of the famously blue Wagonga Inlet, the Long Table Dinner is a memorable experience and popular event on the festival program.

Join hosts Paul West and John Susman and enjoy freshly shucked oysters, canapes and pre-dinner drinks with a warm welcome from the local Yuin community followed by a formal three-course long table dinner featuring South Coast produce with matched NSW wines.

This year’s theme “Taste of Place” tells a story of place. It aims to reconnect us to the pristine waterways where our oysters are grown and the land from which we harvest our food. It is also a nod to the term “merroir” as coined by the oyster industry. You’ll learn more about this concept on the night.

This twilight Long Table Dinner supported by Whale Coast Realty is a culinary delight and sells out every year. 

VIP Lounge

There is no better way to enjoy Narooma Oyster Festival than with VIP Lounge tickets.

Enjoy VIP treatment with access to an exclusive luxe space on the waterfront close to all the Festival action. Think delicious locally sourced food, private bar and private seats to escape the crowds. It’s the ultimate chill-out zone.

This year’s grazing table is provided by SAGE Farmers Markets and celebrates a local ethos of locally grown and locally harvested food for the local community.

The VIP Lounge supported by Southern Phone comes complete with all-day grazing table, bespoke bar menu with three complimentary drinks, private marquee and other VIP benefits such as cloakroom and mobile charging stations. Festival entry is included. Please be advised that VIP tickets are strictly limited. 

The VIP Lounge ticket includes:

• Festival entry ticket 
• Access to the VIP marquee on the waterfront
• Complimentary all-day grazing table provided by SAGE Farmers Market
• Three complimentary drinks from the VIP bar 
• Other VIP benefits such as cloakroom and mobile charging stations

FREE Friday Night Fun!

Live Music & Food Stalls

Quota Park, Friday May 1st - from 4:30pm! FREE ENTERTAINMENT!

Our free opening night, arrive early in Narooma to unwind, relax and enjoy a fun night out for the family. Enjoy awesome LIVE bands, food stalls and fantastic vibe that's earned a reputation for being an unmissable free night! You'll rock out to some seriously fantastic music - a fun night for the whole family, so come early, relax and enjoy this free night.