A slurp-worthy guide to Merimbula's oyster trail

The briny liquid contained in just-shucked Merimbula oysters is like the Champagne of the sea. Gain a new appreciation of this delicacy along the Sapphire Coast Oyster Merroir Tasting Trail.

Building an itinerary around Merimbula oysters means you can take in more of the territory by default. Merimbula seafood is the real deal and something you can experience everywhere from the Sapphire Coast Oyster Trail to local bars and restaurants and rustic oyster shacks overlooking the estuaries. Worth noting is the fact that Merimbula oysters reflect the quality of the pristine waters of Merimbula Lake, where the Thaua people of the Yuin nation have long been the Traditional Custodians of the land.

Whether you’re on a road trip around the NSW South Coast or on a  guided tour, here’s where to get your fix of fresh Merimbula oysters and seafood.

Taste fresh-as-can-be oysters on the Sapphire Coast. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

The Oyster Barn at Merimbula Gourmet Oysters

There’s nothing fancy about this farm gate in Merimbula, which gets a guernsey above as one of the must-visit oyster farms near Merimbula on the South Coast. But The Oyster Barn deserves special mention as a destination for lunch, as it offers everything a seafood lover dreams of, namely the very best fresh oysters.

The Oyster Barn delivers an unforgettable farmgate experience for oyster lovers. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

Order the signature seafood platter piled high with delights such as prawns, oysters and scallops, and settle in for the arvo over a brew or two.

Address: 49 Oyster Trak, Millingandi

Broadwater Oysters

The best way to experience Broadwater Oysters is by opting for the Tide-to-Table tour, which offers a trifecta of experiences. There’s a farm tour, where you will learn all about commercial oyster farming. A master class that breaks down the process of shucking the shellfish. And then, finally, an opportunity to slurp down a dozen of the best Sydney Rock oyster specimens at a table overlooking the pristine waters of Lake Pambula. You can also taste the merroir of Broadwater Oysters in situ on a specialty tour with Navigate Expeditions. The Kayak and Shuck experience on Pambula Lake is one of the best things to do in Merimbula.

Join a farm-to-table tour at Broadwater Oysters. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

Address: Shed 1/52 Landing Road, Broadwater

Wonbyn Rock Oysters

Kel and Caroline Henry are the husband-and-wife team behind Wonboyn Rock Oysters, located on the banks of beautiful Wonbyn Lake on the Sapphire Coast. You will find the couple, most likely wearing rubber boots and bibs, pootling about on their punts and working the chain-mail tumblers that are barnacled with bivalve molluscs.

Find Wonboyn Rock Oysters on the banks of Wonbyn Lake on the Sapphire Coast. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

It’s a labour of love as the oysters take about three years to reach maturity. These are some of Australia’s most prized oysters, so head here during the harvest period to get the most out of your tour.

Book a tour during harvest season to try some of Australia’s most prized oysters. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

Address: Myrtle Cove, Near the Wonboyn Lake Boat Ramp

Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tour

A briny breeze will follow you around Pambula Lake when you’re motoring out to the oyster leases on a punt captained by the inimitable Captain Sponge.  Brett Weingarth, aka Captain Sponge, has a lifetime of farming experience and is one of the stars of the annual EAT Merimbula festival.

Motor out to the oyster leases on Pambula Lake onboard Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tour. (Image: Destination NSW)

Launch yourself headfirst into one of the on-the-water Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tours from the foreshore of Pambula Lake. It is against the backdrop of the stunning Pambula River Mouth that you will learn the secrets behind successful oyster husbandry and sample the world-famous Sydney rock oyster.

Indulge in Sydney rock oysters during the tour. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: Landing Road, Broadwater

Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar

The Sapphire Coast’s world-famous Oyster Merroir Tasting Trail entices oyster lovers to explore Merimbula’s pristine natural environment. While there are a multitude of things to do in Merimbula, tasting oysters at the lagoons and lakes where they are farmed, has to be up there with the very best ways to experience NSW’s South Coast. Purchase oysters unopened to take back to your Airbnb in Merimbula or dine in the beautiful on-site venue, one of the best restaurants in Merimbula.

Slurp on world-class oysters at Wheelers Seafood Restaurant. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

Address: 162 Arthur Kaine Drive, Pambula

Tathra Oysters

You are more than likely to find oyster farmers knee-deep in the water when you arrive at Nelson Lagoon, which is surrounded by a mess of trees within Mimosa Rocks National Park. Visit the ‘shellar door’ at Tathra Oysters  between December and June to learn more about the merroir that defines the oysters grown in the pristine waterway.

Scoop up a handful of Tathra Oysters. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

The oysters produced by this family business are regarded as some of the best in the world and are only sold in prime condition. The Rodely family have been farming here for more than three decades. Order the oysters opened or unopened.

The Rodely family have been oyster farming for over 30 years. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

Address: 1 Reservoir St, Tathra

Wapengo Rocks

It’s a good look to practise the pronunciation of Wapengo (it’s Wop And Go) before you arrive at Wapengo Rocks looking like an absolute gumby in your Thai fisherman pants.

Wapengo Lake produces some of the best rock oysters. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

Wapengo Rocks was the first oyster farm to be certified organic in Australia. And while owner Shane Buckley’s farm isn’t open to the public, this stretch of the Sapphire Coast is worth a look – and you can taste Wapengo Oysters at Mimosa Wines. Merimbula Fresh Seafoods also stocks some of the best and freshest Merimbula seafood on offer.

Taste the goods for yourself at Mimosa Wines. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

Address: 3 Alice St, Merimbula