Your job? Eat, sip, stroll, repeat.

The Shoalhaven region on NSW’s South Coast is a place of abundance. A sun-drenched haven where bush meets sea, local towns are abuzz and seasonal produce thrives. Bringing it all together is Coastal Forage, a weekend celebration of food and wine that takes place at one of the region’s biggest drawcards – the beach.

The festival

Emerging as one of Jervis Bay’s best experiences, Coastal Forage is an annual festival that pairs the region’s natural beauty with its fresh produce and culinary excellence.

Unfolding across just one day, the program is packed with mouth-watering events that offer a true taste of the region. But while food is the star of the show, Coastal Forage is more than just a long lunch.

Beginning at Moona Moona Creek Reserve in Huskisson, groups of 20–25 guests make their way along six kilometres of coastline, where 10 different degustation stations await at intervals. Part gourmet trail, part beachside bushwalk, it’s an opportunity for people to take a breath, enjoy the moment and feel the sand between their toes – literally.

“Coastal Forage is about slowing down and savouring the connection between place, produce and people," said Amanda Fry, founder of Experience Nature, the local tourism brand behind the event.

“There’s nowhere else in Australia where you can enjoy a ten-course meal with your feet in the sand, whales offshore and a local chef plating up what was caught or harvested fresh locally. It’s pure Shoalhaven."

The program

This year marks seven years of Coastal Forage, with a program that speaks to the festival’s steady growth and evolution. In 2026, the event holds fast to its primary goal – providing an immersive nature-based dining experience for guests while platforming local chefs and producers.

Favourites like Cupitt’s Estate, Bangalay Dining, Paperbark Camp, Old Salt Distillery and John Harley Seafood are all returning to the line-up this year – much to the delight of attendees.

Each operator is preparing to plate up everything from sea-foraged delicacies and fire-grilled native ingredients to cool-climate wines and artisan spirits. You know what they say – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

The details

Taking place on 12 September, Coastal Forage is a wonderful way to welcome the new season. Each session unfolds across a leisurely few hours, with start times staggered every 15 minutes between 10am–2pm. The official trail begins at Moona Moona Creek Reserve in Huskisson, where guests can take advantage of onsite parking.

From there, guests will make their way along six kilometres of sand, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water, too (refill stations available). The experience ends at Orion’s Beach, where a van returns you to your starting point. While the walk is mostly flat and caters to various fitness levels, the stations are on sand and therefore not wheelchair accessible.

Bookings are available now, but are selling fast. Priced at $225 per person, each ticket includes a 10-course degustation, paired beverages at eight stations, parking fees and transport back to your car. Coastal Forage is an 18+ event, and dietary requirements cannot be accommodated.