Eurobodalla Council has unveiled its plans to develop an oyster trail in the region. Photo: Lisa Herbert.
Producers and businesses along the NSW South Coast are banding together for a new tourism initiative centred around oysters.
Eurobodalla Shire Council visitor economy manager Andrew Sargant said a new oyster trail would stretch across the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla shires.
He said that while it was discussed at a recent tourism forum, the idea had been gathering momentum for longer.
“Oysters are our most distinctive culinary asset, if I can describe it like that. It clearly and strongly reinforces our destination brand story for both regions.”
Mr Sargant said the project – set to involve marketing and other promotional efforts – was intended to bring more tourists to the area.
“It’s not just about oysters – and it’s not even just about other culinary experiences.
“It’s about creating itineraries for people … Very few of them will want to eat oysters for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
But he said the seafood would remain a focal point of the tourism push.
He hoped the product would get people “in the front door”, with a focus on attracting people from places such as Sydney and Canberra.
It’s set to sit alongside the Sapphire Coast Oyster Trail, which was launched in late 2022.
He said a focus for the trail could be the secondary wellness traveller (a person who is travelling but turns to wellness experiences).
“One of their indulgences, if you like, is high-quality food and drink and local produce experiences.
“That steered us [towards a] food and drink-focused trail.”
Mr Sargant hopes the new strategy will connect people across the NSW South Coast – and beyond. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Mr Sargant said discussions between businesses and tourism bodies around the oyster trail’s “potential” were ongoing.
“As part of that, what we asked for at the forum was for anyone that was interested to just send [the council] an email,” he said.
“There’s been a number of people who put their hand up and said they want to be involved.”
But he believes the initiative will offer opportunities for producers and businesses to come together.
“Collaboration is extremely important. It’s also one of the most overused words in tourism, from what I can gather,” he said.
“Everyone’s talking about it, and there aren’t too many tangible examples of it happening. … This is a tangible example of how we can collaborate, the idea being to benefit both regions.”
The proposal is also off the back of the Narooma Oyster Festival, which returned for another year in early May.
A return has already been locked in for 7 to 9 May 2027.
Mr Sargant also said the council was set to hold further tourism forums in the coming months.
It’s hoped that planning for the oyster trail can be finalised by the end of the financial year, including a memorandum of understanding between the councils.
“Then we can officially press go,” he said.
Once the strategy is prepared, Mr Sargant said an official launch is expected for March 2027.
He also hinted that it could be expanded further north – perhaps even all the way to the big smoke.
“Ultimately, the goal is to have a single connected oyster trail across both regions,” he said.
“Maybe even all the way up to Sydney at some point in time … up to the new Sydney Fish Market, which is a tourism attraction in itself.”
