australia’s most underrated foodie destination that needs to be on your radar
incredible local produce (fresh oysters, yes please!), a queen chow pop-up from merivale, and pristine beaches, narooma is the ideal location for foodies and beach bums. a five hour drive from sydney, sits on the nsw south coast in the eurobodalla region. the small coastal town is fast becoming a favourite amongst out of towners for its serene atmosphere and world-class food scene - just ask justin hemmes, the merivale owner who has recently bought up three of narooma’s culinary establishments. ahead of our trip to mystery bay, just outside of narooma with environmentalist laura wells, we thought we’d spotlight the best food and drink on offer at this sapphire coast gem.
The oyster farmer’s daughter
natasha clutterbuck is the daughter of a fourth generation oyster farmer. in 2020, she opened a boutique food trailer and oyster bar on her dad’s oyster farm, a tiny operation at wagonga inlet that’s been there for more than 30 years. fresh oysters are sourced, of course, from her dad’s farm, and prepared by natasha in a variety of ways. oyster purists can enjoy fresh oysters with a squeeze of lemon, or venture out of the norm and try a half dozen with a thai dressing, or kilpatrick style with smoky bacon from narooma’s local butcher. other fishy offerings include fresh lobster, fish and chips, or buckets of prawns served with lemon and herb aioli. drinks are locally sourced where possible too - gin from north of eden gin, a nearby distillery, beers from shark island brewery, and natural wines from independent bottleshops int he area.
https://www.theoysterfarmersdaughter.com.au/
the whale
sitting on a hill overlooking forster beach and wagonga inlet, the whale inn is a hotel and restaraunt that has been in operation for over 15 years. in june this year the venue was purchased by justin hemmes, following another merivale acquisition in narooma of quarterdeck tiki bar. the venue’s 17 rooms each feature ocean views, and its licensed restaurant champions local produce, foraged native ingredients, and has its own onsite garden to service the kitchen. sydney’s favourite cantonese eatery queen chow will soon take over the venue, following another popup by chez dominique earlier this year.
https://merivale.com/venues/the-whale-inn-narooma/
the inlet
another merivale offshoot, the inlet is a good old fashioned fish and chip joint set on the beautiful wagonga inlet. nothing here is trying to reinvent the wheel - rather, the inlet does the classics, and does classics well. think fresh caught fish, local oysters, and some of the best hot chips you’ve ever had. old school potato scallops are also on the menu, alongside a selection of top notch burgers for some heartier fare.
https://merivale.com/venues/the-inlet-narooma/
bend & sip bar
go for the yoga sessions, stay for the margaritas, narooma’s bend & sip bar is a wellness centre, cafe, and bar all rolled into one. resident yoga cydney teaches daily yoga classes in a range of styles, for both beginners and advanced yogis alike. their sip bar serves up mezze plates and local oysters to be enjoyed alongside delicious cocktails or natural wines. on fridays and saturdays the space hosts a pop up cafe, the good folk kitchen, a ‘pay as you feel’ operation offering nourishing meals for the community.
https://www.bendandsip.com/
quarterdeck
set on the picturesque wagonga inlet foreshore, quarterdeck has been serving tiki style drinks to the narooma community for over a decade and a half. while the venue was bought by merivale in early 2021, the bar retains its laidback vibes and popularity as a local hangout spot. in true tiki bar fashion, the cocktail list is heavy on the rum, with tropical flourishes of banana, lychee, and coconut. the food menu hasn’t been forgotten either, with a well thought out selection of tacos, local oysters, and share plates of mussels, spatchcock, or steak.
https://merivale.com/venues/quarterdeck-narooma/
narooma oyster festival
every year, narooma hosts its annual oyster festival, a celebration of the region’s fantastic produce, growers, and chefs. highlights include cooking demonstrations from some of the world’s best, live music, and long table dinners on the water that conclude with a firework display. the festival also hosts their famous oyster shucking championships, and competition for the world’s biggest oyster.
the 2022 narooma oyster festival will take place on the 6th and 7th of may.
https://www.naroomaoysterfestival.com/
the marine escape in mystery bay with laura wells
from $500.00
24 february - 27 february, 2022
have you ever dreamed of swimming alongside seals, sharks, rays and colourful fish? well you can fulfil a once-in-a-lifetime experience only a few hours from sydney! with mesmerising rock pools, lagoons and a stretch of azure ocean, the south coast of new south wales is the perfect location for a marine escape. expect seals that are playful as puppies, that are as curious about you as you are about them. you can even observe a penguin parade at dusk as the little penguins make their way home after a day in the ocean. we will also see rare geological formations and stunning ocean views as you hike along pinnacle beach and track. we will be welcomed by local first nations via a guided hike to learn about the significance of country, culture and dreaming. indulge in a mouth-watering campfire dinner every night under the dwindling sun and blushing sky. environmentalist laura wells will be our guide on this transformative travel adventure.
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