Scrumptious oysters from south coast NSW estuaries from the Shoalhaven to the Victorian border star at this year’s Narooma Oyster Festival (5-6 April) which showcases the region’s local produce and culinary and artistic talents.

Oyster farmers play a major role at this year’s Festival under the Australia’s Oyster Coast (AOC) banner. They also feature in the stunning ‘Faces of Australia’s Oyster Coast – a photographic exhibition by Heide Smith’ which has its first public exhibition at the Festival (see photo of Wagonga Inlet on the cover); it is on show both Saturday and Sunday.

Check www.naroomaoysterfestival.com for details and bookings.

SATURDAY 5 APRIL – NATURALLY GOURMET FAIR beside Narooma’s Wagonga Inlet.

You can feast on the Inlet’s stunning beauty as well as delicious oysters from Australia’s Oyster Coast, one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable oyster growing regions.

Headlining this year’s Festival are cooking demonstrations by south coast ‘hatted’ chefs Huw Jones of Zanzibar Merimbula, Josh Tyler of Tyler’s Pantry Mogo and David Campbell of Wharf Rd Nowra.

New this year is the AOC oyster bar precinct where farmers will serve oysters direct from their own farms, with separate stalls for each estuary.

The Ultimate Oyster Experience at The Inlet is an exclusive master class with oyster farmers, comparing the taste of oysters from different AOC estuaries and served with premium wines and boutique beers. (Booking essential.)

The Fair also features the hotly contested oyster opening competition, the region’s best gourmet food and craft stalls, great live music all day including top soul band Johnny G & The E-Types, a free kid’s zone, giant kite exhibition and workshop, an art exhibition, street art and fishing casting competitions, traditional boats, Gamers Cockpits, and much more.

Saturday evening’s dinners include Australia’s Oyster Coast Festival Dinner, a fine three-course dinner with freshly opened oysters direct from the region’s premier oyster farms, and music by Malumba. Also check The Whale Restaurant’s Tastes of the South Coast.

SUNDAY 6 April ‘NAROOMA ON SHOW’

Start the day with the Poet Society Brunch, or play in the Festival’s inaugural Australia’s Oyster Coast Ambrose Golf Classic at the spectacular Narooma Golf Course (Book Narooma Golf Club).

Then explore the area’s many attractions from Bodalla to Montague Island to Tilba, or continue along the AOC’s new Oyster Trail launched at Saturday’s Fair.