Meet the Oyster Farmer

SAPPHIRE COAST OYSTER PRODUCERS

Oyster farming is the largest aquaculture industry in NSW, with approximately 280 oyster farming businesses, spread across 32 coastal estuaries. Commerical farming in the Sapphire Coast region commenced in the late 1800s, with traditional flat-bottomed timber dinghys known as ‘punts’, and early cultivation techniques. 

Today, Sapphire Coast oysters are some of the most awarded in Australia, thanks to an ideal growing environment and a passionate oyster farming community. Our growers utilise the latest environmental practices and technology to look after the estuary, producing a premium product.

Becuase Sydney rock oysters possess the unique ability to capture the flavour of their environment, no two Sapphire Coast oysters taste exactly the same. Watch the videos below to hear from our oyster farmers on what makes their oysters special. 

SHANE BUCKLEY, WAPENGO ROCKS

Shane Buckley farms wild caught native Sydney rock oysters from pristine Wapengo Lake, located within Mimosa Rocks National Park. Wapengo Rocks combines the latest in sustainable aqua-culture techniques with the purest water quality, and became Australia's first certified organic rock oyster farm in 2013. Their cultivation techniques help to restore the lake ecology and improve estuarine habitat, including the regeneration of important sea grass beds.

The farm isn’t open to the public, but you can taste Wapengo oysters at local restaurants and eateries, or purchase them from local retailers.  Visit their website here.

SUE MCINTYRE, BROADWATER OYSTERS

Broadwater Oysters have been farming  Sydney rock oysters at Pambula Lake oysters for over 24 years. Named by Landcare as 'Champions of the Catchment', owners Sue and Greg take caring for the environment seriously. It's the reason that Pambula oysters are so good!

Broadwater Oysters' delicious Sydney rock oysters regularly bring home awards from across Australia -  including gold, silver and bronze medals at the Sydney Royal Show and Royal Hobart Show. But it’s not just the oysters that win awards! Owners of Broadwater Oysters, Greg and Sue are both shucking champions, with awards from Eden Whale Festival, Pambula Show and the iconic Narooma Oyster Festival.

Visit the farm at Pambula Lake, or book in for a Farm Tour or Shuck School. Visit their website here.

HUGH WHEELER, WHEELER's OYSTERS

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. Pitt Warn Pty Ltd, the original company, was founded by Mr & Mrs Pitt Warn in Merimbula in the early 1900's. Merimbula locals Hugh and Debbie Wheeler purchased the farm in 1982, growing the business by adding a fresh seafood shop, offering oyster tours and then expanding into "The Kiosk" - selling delicious fresh oysters as well as fresh fish, prawns and other seafood dishes.

With more than 40 years at the helm of Wheeler's Oysters, Hugh and Debbie, alongside their son James, are now concentrating on running the farm full time. Wheeler's Seafood Restaurant is owned and managed by Jacqui Smith, still serving the same quality and freshness that has built the business to what it is today.

Visit Wheeler's Seafood Restaurant to enjoy a meal or purchase oysters to take home. Visit their website here.

ROSS MANTON, AJN OYSTERS

AJN Oysters is a family owned and run oyster farming enterprise, operating at Jigamy Farm in Eden. Owner Ross Manton comes from a long line of Indigenous oyster farmers, originally based in Port Stephens. Sydney rock oysters are harvested from Merimbula Lake, before being processed at their oyster sheds at the Jigamy Farm property at Pambula Lake, which is managed by Twofold Bay Aboriginal Corporation.

Whilst Australia has a rich history of oyster collection by First Nations people, current examples of Indigenous-owned oyster farms are rare. AJN Oysters is helping to set the groundwork for local Aboriginal people who want to work in the industry, or establish a business of their own. 

You can purchase opened or unopened AJN Oysters at Jigamy Farm between Pambula and Eden, just give them a call to check if they’re at the sheds! Visit their Facebook page here.

BRETT WEINGARTH, PAMBULA LAKE

Brett Weingarth, also known as ''Captain Sponge'', has a lifetime of farming experience both aquatic and dryland having been raised on a farm and running cattle, sheep, wheat & canola in Cowra in central west NSW. He, his wife Jodie and three boys moved off the farm and onto the lake (as it were) in the thick of the worst drought in a hundred years.

Sponge farms a four acre oyster lease in Merimbula Lake and a number of oyster leases in Pambula Lake and Pambula River, run from a rustic oyster hut on the foreshore.

Jump on board his oyster punt with Captain Sponge's Magical Oyster Tours, which operate on the spectacular Pambula Lake estuary. Visit his website here.