Narooma Oyster Festival 2023
On May 5, 6, and 7, 2023
The first week of May is always a festival week in Narooma. Discover the delicacies of local oysters and local cuisines with the 16th Narooma Oyster festival. Not only that, taste some fresh food products like fish and shellfish, abalone, urchins, kelp, dairy, olives, and many more. Narooma is the land of clear and blue water. So this festival environment can calm you and help you to stay away from your busy life while enjoying delicious oysters and some tasty wine and beers. At Narooma Oyster Festival, you can meet oyster farmers, chefs, and producers ready to share their knowledge with you. While tasting oysters, you can chat with them and add some knowledge about the oyster industry and recipes.
Set your foot in the heart of Rock Oyster Country on the Yuin Nation, Narooma. Narooma Oyster Festival is an important event. The festival celebrates South Coast NSW oyster and local slow food movement and production each year. Furthermore, the festival celebrates locals, local culture, talents of local and visiting chefs, artistic skills of people, and cultural talents.
Date
May 5, 6, and 7, 2023
Location
You can enjoy all the fun activities of the Narooma Oyster Festival at the picturesque location of Forsters Bay, Narooma.
What’s on Friday night, May 5
Get ready for a picnic evening; grab your picnic tent and carpet to enjoy the sun-setting sky at Narooma.
- Narooma Rocks Oyster Bar
- Live music and entertainment
- Selected food vendors
- Premium dining experiences
- Fireworks
What’s on Saturday, May 6
There will be a lot to taste and enjoy on Saturday, non-stop eating and exploring.
- Oyster Alley
- Ultimate Oyster Experiences
- Cooking Program with celebrated chefs
- Australia’s Oyster Shucking Championships
- Australia’s Biggest Oyster
- Champagne and Oyster Cruises
- Music and busking
- Rock Oyster Lounge
- Premium dining experiences
- Local shuttle bus
- Coaches from Batemans Bay and Bermagui
Musicians and performers
An oyster festival will only be completed with live music and fun activities. Narooma oyster festival is now 16 years old. Like in previous years, the celebration in 2023 is also grand and consists of everything. And we promise that you won’t be disappointed.
In 2023 there will be an array of programs and fun activities across three performance spaces.
- Main stage
- The community and busking stage
- The kid’s zone
On the festival day, grab a good spot to hear the music of professional and emerging artists and bands, performers and entertainers, and local community groups.
Regarding the music program, the organizing committee will announce the schedule weeks before the festival.
If you are a professional artist, performer, or entertainer or would like to perform on the festival day, express your interest at [email protected].
Tickets
Friday Night Festival Warm Up $10
Friday, May 6 | from 4.00 pm to 8.45 pm
What’s included,
- Oyster Bar
- Music
- Food Stalls
Listen and swing to the guitar music of Troubadours and Chloe Kay and the Crusades, enjoy fantastic rock oysters prepared by the Narooma Rock Oyster Bar and market stall chefs, and next, set your eyes to see fireworks at 8.30 pm. Friday night will be an unforgettable night in your lives.
Saturday Festival $25
Saturday, May 7 | 10.00 am to 5.30 pm
What’s included,
- Oysters
- Markets
- Cooking Program
- Shucking
- Music
This is the day to explore and taste the foreshore. If you visit oyster alley, you can taste oysters from different estuaries. And yes! Don’t miss out on Australia’s giant Oyster at 1.00 pm, and the Australian shucking championship starts at 3.00 pm. The world oyster champion Stephen Nolan will also be there. This is not the end. There will be a cooking program with amazing chefs like Courtney Roulston, Colin Fassnidge, Corey Costello, and Kelly Eastwood.
Leave your car at home and catch a free shuttle bus around Narooma to explore the festival ground. And buses will be operating between Merimbula and Batemans Bay. You can listen to live tunes all day long with The Sun bears, Dust and Echoes, and more.
Sydney Royal Ultimate Oyster Experience $125
Saturday, May 7 | 4 sittings |
The Royal Agriculture Society of NSW hosts the event with farmers and Sydney royal judges. This fantastic and unique tasting experience features some of the best oysters from the 2022 Sydney Royal Aquaculture Competition. The event’s guests have a chance to explore oyster species from multiple estuaries, including rock, pacific, and angasi. The event will be held for around 50 minutes, and at the end of the session, you will be informed about shucking and the importance of shucking. And also, you will be an expert in tasting five pit stops of flavors- the oyster-tasting bible. With that, the guest will also get to sip a glass of the best wine in Narooma or craft beer included with each tasting. Attendees need to bring their Saturday general admissions as well.
Champagne and Oyster Cruises $75
Saturday, May 7 | 5 cruises | 11.30am to 2.30pm |
Board Wagonga Princes for one hour and taste Oyster cuisine and famous Champagne. With that, you may have some local cheese, biscuits, a piccolo of champagne, or a craft beer. This is the best way to explore the inlet and festival while connecting with the whisper of a quiet solar electric engine and tasting 1905 of Huon Pine.
Cruises will start at the festival ground, and Saturday General Admission Fee is required.
Narooma Rocks After Party$100
Saturday, May 7 | 7 pm to 10pm |
On sale February 28, 4 pm
Narooma rocks after party is a new event. And this will be the best way to farewell the festival vibe of May. The after-party will be located at luxe pop-up on the grassy foreshore of the inlet. There will be live music, delicious food, braziers, and complimentary drinks throughout the evening. A range of craft beers and NWS wines will be offered y the Narooma Rocks spitfire bar. And there will be limited cocktails for purchase.
Southern Phone Rock Oyster Lounge $150 inc Saturday General Admission
Saturday, May 7 | 11am to 5.30pm |
We recommend this as one of the best ways to enjoy the Narooma Oyster Festival. This admission gives you access to the Rock Oyster Lounge. This is an adults-only space closer to the festival grounds on the waterfront. You can rest and recharge yourself during the festival in this lounge.
What‘s exclusive,
- Locally sourced snacks by Kelly Eastwood
- Three complimentary drinks
- Private bar experience
Tickets to the Southern Oyster Lounge include Saturday General Admission as well. If anyone purchases the Saturday admission fees and access to the Rock Oyster Lounge, contact us with your details for a refund.
Seafood Social, presented by Merivale $190 inc Saturday General Admission
Saturday, May 7 | 11.30am to 2.30pm |
Taste the recipes of Merivale’s Jordan Toft, executive chef of Mimi’s and Bert’s Bar & Brasserie. We guarantee all seafood lovers will be mesmerized by the taste. From seafood boils to other delicacies and enjoy the best in Narooma’s.
Whale Coast Realty Long Table Dinner
Friday, May 6 | 5 pm to 9 pm
This gives you a chance to experience south coast food at twilight. The dining includes freshly shucked Appellation rock oysters and canapes, followed by matching NSW wines and craft beer. The dining will be arranged in a formal four-course long table showcasing local produce. And the event is hosted by Paul West.
If you already purchase this admission, you don’t need to purchase Friday general admission as well. If you already did, contact us for a refund with your detail and ticket receipt.
Accommodations
During the festival days, there is high demand for accommodation in Narooma. So book your accommodation as quickly as possible. Narooma Holiday Accommodation is a reliable festival partner that helps you find the best hotels and inns within the festival area. Furthermore, the festival sponsors, including Apollo Holiday Units, Amooran Oceanside, Farnboro Motel, Horizon Apartments Narooma, BIG4 Narooma Easts Holiday Park, are happy to help you assist with accommodations. And you don’t have to worry about how you travel around the festival ground; there will be a shuttle bus in operation around the festival ground and town area.
Terms and conditions
Narooma Rocks organizes the Narooma Oyster Festival, and they sell tickets. It is a non-profitable Australian organization. The conditions apply to sales, entry, and attendance at the event.
Ticketing
Tickets for general admission and premium are planned to go on sale in early 2023.
Children under 16 are free and must always be accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
This event is an all-weather event. So no refund will be made if you choose not to attend the festival due to severe weather conditions. Suppose the event gets postponed or rescheduled by Government order or due to any other reasons. In that case, Narooma Rocks will offer a credit or exchange for the rescheduled date rather than a refund.
The organizing committee will reconsider refunding on considerable grounds. Please contact the organizing committee at [email protected] with your details and receipt.
General
- The 2023 Narooma Oyster Festival is a cashless event. So there will be no ATMs on the site.
- An adult must supervise children under 16 at all times.
- We sincerely ask you not to bring your pets. But well-behaved pets are allowed in less crowded areas.
- A site map will release before the festival starts.
Entry
- Please bring your digital or printed ticket with you to the festival ground.
- Alcohol, alcohol glasses, and other illegal items are prohibited on the festival grounds.
- The organizing committee or the venue will not be responsible for any losses or injuries. Entry at your own risk.
Alcohol
- If you wish to consume alcohol, you must have your photographic ID to confirm your age.
- Please do not bring alcohol to the festival ground.
Covid
2023 Narooma Oyster Festival has properly arranged a Covid prevention program. The organizing committee asks for the corporation of all attendance.
And the festival will follow all NSW Health Guidelines and advice.
For more information, check NSW COVID-19 travel.
Environment
Taking care of the environment of Narooma is the responsibility of all the visitors to the Narooma Oyster Festival. So please protect the environment while you enjoy the event.
FAQs on Narooma Oyster Festival 2023
- What are the festival dates?
The evening of Friday, May 5, and all day Saturday, May 6. Of 2023
- What about kids?
Children under 16 have free entry and always need to be with a ticket-holding adult.
- What time are the fireworks on Friday?
The fireworks are at 8.30 pm.
- Where can I park?
Parking is available at Barker Parade, at the Field Street end. Consider leaving your car at home for convenience and exploring the festival by shuttle bus.
- Where can I Stay?
Apollo Holiday Units, Amooran Oceanside, Farnboro Motel, Horizon Apartments Narooma,Horizon Apartments Narooma, and BIG4 Narooma Easts Holiday Park are happy to assist you in finding accommodations.
Narooma Holiday Accommodation is also recommended as a reliable festival partner.
- Is there public transport to the festival?
A free shuttle bus will run around the Narooma Oyster Festival on Friday evening and Saturday all day long.
- What other foods will be available?
There will be 70,000 fresh oysters to eat and other quality food items as well. And there will be 30 to 50 food and beverage stalls on the festival ground selling excellent dishes, including vegetarian meals, meat, seafood, and dairy options.
- Can I pay in installments?
No. You can’t pay in installments.
- Pets
Guide dogs are allowed, but animals and other pets are not allowed
- Can I use my NSW parents and Stay Vouchers?
Please check the newest updates on Savings Finder | Service NSW.
- Stallholder and musician inquiries?
Stallholders interested in attending the festival on May 5 and 6, 2023, can now submit a simple Expression of interest at Stallholders – Narooma Oyster Festival.
For more information, check: Stallholders – Narooma Oyster Festival
- Can I busk?
There is a special area for buskers that is always popular. Please submit an Expression of interest at Stallholders – Narooma Oyster Festival and get more information.
- How can I keep track of my tickets?
Using checkout, you can add the festival dates to your calendar, which will also link your tickets to your calendar. Your ticket and invoice will be emailed when you purchase the items. You will receive the tickets and invoice via: [email protected].
- Accessibility
The festival ground will be located at Quota Park, Narooma, on the shores of Wagonga Inlet.
- Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets will be available at Narooma Oyster Festival’s official website in early 2023.
- Will tickets be available at the gate?
It depends on the sales capacity. Tickets may or may not be available at the festival ground. But please pre-purchase tickets to avoid disappointment.
- Is the festival Covid safe?
Yes. The Festival will organize under Covid 19 guidelines and under the advice of the NSW Government.
- How do I enter the festival?
The location for the main entrance is at Quota Park on Riverside Drive.
And the secondary entrance is at the southern end of the festival for pedestrian traffic.
- Will there be a bar?
Yes. There will be a festival bar operating at the festival ground. The premium experience includes beer, wine, and champagne.
