Top 8 Oyster Trail Experiences

TRAVEL THE SAPPHIRE COAST OYSTER TRAIL

Welcome to the land of the bivalve, where molluscs reign supreme all year round. When it comes to oysters, the Sapphire Coast is famous as being one of the most important growing regions in Australia. Each of our five key estuaries lies within a special wilderness area along our coast, some hidden deep within our  national parks, while others can be found conveniently close to our coastal towns and villages.

There are dozens of ways you can experience the Sapphire Coast Oyster Trail, from lakeside oyster shacks to kayaking tours, oyster cruises and oyster bars. You can pair oyster platters with beer paddles, or sip an oyster gin martini from a waterfront dining room. Follow the roadside oyster signs for farm gate prices, and you might just find yourself spreading out the picnic blanket for a long lunch in the forest, right next to the estuary where your oysters were plucked.

Here are eight of our must-do oyster experiences along the Sapphire Coast. 

CAPTAIN SPONGE'S MAGICAL OYSTER TOUR

As the region’s only on-water oyster tour, Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tours are as educational as they are legendary. Jump on board Sponge’s small barge at Pambula Lake, for an interactive tour of the stunning estuary with one of the coast’s most famed (and hilarious) oyster experts, Brett Weingarth. You’ll get to sample the world-renowned Pambula Lake Sydney rock oyster straight from the waters of the lake, and inspect the rare native Angasi oyster, which is grown at only a small number of farms in Australia. 

Once the oysters are aboard, it’s time to set sail downstream the meandering Pambula River, where ancient Aboriginal middens dot the tree-studded banks. Some of the best-preserved mounded middens on the east coast of Australia are located at Pambula River, evidence of many years of oyster collection by traditional custodians, the Thaua people of the Yuin nation. Captain Sponge will point out significant cultural and geological features of the estuary, plus demonstrate how oysters are caught in the wild. 

OYSTER SHUCK SCHOOL & FARM TOUR

Learn how to shuck like a pro at Broadwater Oysters' Shuck School, located at their oyster sheds on beautiful Pambula Lake. An oyster farmer for 25 years, owner Sue McIntyre has award-winning shucking skills that sees her open, turn and present 30 oysters in a mere 3 ½ minutes. Armed with oyster knives and rubber gloves, class participants receive a 25-minute schooling in the art of the shuck, as well as tips on how to discern oysters by appearance and taste. With unopened oysters staying fresh for up to a couple of weeks after harvest, it’s a life lesson worth learning! 

For those wanting to take a deeper dive into the world of oyster husbandry, we recommend booking in for a farm tour. You’ll learn about the oyster farming journey from spat to harvest, including Broadwater’s unique farming and aquaculture practices. The team will help you collect and shuck your own oysters, then you are welcome to settle in by the lake to enjoy your harvest.

For both Shuck School and Farm Tour experiences, you are invited to pre-book their oyster and local produce tasting plates, featuring local heroes like smoked mussels from Eden, Tilba cheese and sourdough from Pambula.

THE OYSTER BARN

Combining the best of a farm gate visit and oyster dining experience, The Oyster Barn is a mandatory stop on any Oyster Trail road trip. Owners Pip and Dom Boyton are second-generation oyster farmers, farming Sydney rock and Angasi oysters at their family-owned leases at beautiful Merimbula Lake. They serve a delicious range of natural and topped oysters from their revamped oyster shed, hidden among the mangrove forests on the water’s edge. You can BYO bubbly to pair with their seasonal seafood menu, including classics like prawn baguettes, half-shell scallops, lobster and seafood chowder. 

Merimbula Gourmet Oysters are one of only a handful of growers in Australia that specialise in growing the rare Angasi oyster (or ‘flat’ oyster), which are available in the cooler months from May to September. Pip and Dom describe their oyster's flavour and texture as “…eating icecream with sea spray on your face.”



KAYAK & SHUCK TOUR

Combine two of the best Sapphire Coast experiences into one morning with Navigate Expeditions on their Kayak and Shuck tour. You’ll get to explore the spectacular Pambula Lake estuary on board their comfortable expedition kayaks, beginning at Pambula River Mouth. As one of the healthiest estuaries in New South Wales, its turquoise waters hum with marine activity. Shy wobbegongs and seahorses remain hidden in the rocky kelp beds, however you can expect to spy the silver flash of large stingrays as they cruise the sea floor. 

After paddling upriver, you’ll soon reach the oyster sheds and leases of Pambula Lake. Enjoy a fun oyster shucking class with the farmers at Broadwater Oysters, before sampling their award-winning Sydney rocks, plucked straight from the sparkling waters of the lake. We recommend bringing along some cash to purchase extra oysters to take home, stowed safely in your kayak as you enjoy a gentle paddle back down the river. 

WHEELER'S OYSTER FARM TOUR

From humble beginnings in 1927, to becoming a national name synonymous with the highest quality oysters, Wheeler's Oyster Farm is a cornerstone in the history of aquaculture on the Sapphire Coast. You can join them every Saturday morning at 11am for a captivating journey into the world of oysters and taste their prized oysters straight from the pure waters of Merimbula Lake.

 Journey through the history of the Wheeler family and get insider access to their state-of-the-art factory. Meet the farmers and taste prized Sydney Rock Oysters fresh from pristine Merimbula Lake – before they even hit the table.

BEER & OYSTER TASTING

Pull up a pew at Longstocking Brewery, the biggest little brewery on the Sapphire Coast. You can order a 10-beer tasting paddle to pair alongside their platters of natural and dressed oysters from their oyster bar, delivered fresh from the farmers at Pambula Lake. All of their craft beers and ciders are brewed on site, with delectable offerings like an Australian weisse with local ironbark honey and Australian oranges, as well as a cranberry and lime gose, brewed with local Bemboka hops, homegrown coriander seed and 5kg of whole cranberries. 

If you’re more partial to cocktails than lagers, you can sip your way through their gin goblet menu, stirred with multi award-winning North of Eden gin, including a special oyster shell gin made with local oyster shells. Enjoy a woodfired pizza in the beer garden as the sun goes down, with a great live music calendar all year round. 

TIDE TO TABLE DINING

Whether you choose natural and bubbly, or Kilpatrick and stout, feasting on oysters in our restaurants and eateries is where tide to table comes full circle. You can enjoy relaxed fine dining with ocean views at Merimbula Wharf Restaurant and Valentina, with oysters served alongside the spoils of our coast like Narooma lobster and market fish. Enjoy hinterland dining at Mimosa Wines, tucked in a wooded valley between Bermagui and Tathra, or drive south past Eden to the historic Seahorse Inn, where you can partake in a sunny long lunch in the lush Gatsby-esque gardens, on the shores of Twofold Bay. Of course, a visit to Wheeler's Seafood Restaurant is always a delight, with their own Wheeler's Oysters plucked from Merimbula Lake just 500 metres away.

Find all our signature oyster dining experiences here. 

Visit the FARM GATEs

Visiting at least one of our oyster ‘shellar doors’ is a must-do for any trip to the Sapphire Coast. Turn it into an oyster road trip and visit the producers at our key estuaries, stretching from Wonboyn to Wapengo. Oyster signs dot the coast from north to south, with farm gate prices and welcoming hospitality on offer, no matter which winding dirt road you choose to follow. From south to north, you can visit Wonboyn Rock Oysters, Broadwater Oysters, Merimbula Gourmet Oysters, Wheeler's Oysters and Tathra Oysters.

Check out our Oyster Merroir Tasting Trail for all the details.