Taste NSW: Must-try foodie experiences this Summer

Covering almost a million square kilometres with geography ranging from Outback desert to fertile valleys and coastline, the diversity of growing conditions in New South Wales (NSW) ensures world-class produce can be found at every turn.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the State’s fine produce is a credit to our farmers and producers, and a great reason to get out and experience everything NSW has on offer.

“From tasting some of the world’s best oysters on the South Coast to mingling with local producers at a farmers’ market in the Riverina, now is the ideal time for gourmands to plan their destination dining itinerary for the summer months in NSW,” Mr Marshall said.

“I encourage you to discover the best of NSW’s local produce in rural and regional areas, whether it’s off a restaurant menu, straight from the farm or a fishing boat or at a local farmers’ market.”

Here’s a snapshot of some of the best farm gates, markets and fresh seafood in NSW this Summer.

Summer seafood

Looking for local seafood on the North Coast? Try Northern Rivers Seafood in Ballina and The Bay Seafood Market in Byron Bay for fresh seafood straight from the fishing boat. Also, Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-operative and the Commercial Fisherman’s Co-operative in Newcastleare well worth a visit.

Also on the North Coast, a side trip to pretty Soldiers Point near Port Stephens is its own reward: you can buy oysters from Holbert Oyster Supplies or stop for a meal at this waterside shop. Another renowned oyster farm further north, right on the shores of Wallis Lake, is Barclays Oyster Farm in Forster, the State’s largest supplier of Sydney Rock oysters.

Heading South? Detour to Greenwell Point to meet Jim Wild, Australia’s champion oyster shucker at Jim Wild’s Oyster Service. Jim, who is also renowned for his Hawaiian shirts, grows Sydney Rock and Pacific oysters in the estuary of the Crookhaven and Shoalhaven Rivers.

There are two great reasons to head into the seaside town of Tathra: the wharf, the only remaining coastal steamer wharf in NSW, is a beauty and the backyard Tathra Oyster shop, where you can try fresh Sydney Rock oysters grown in the pristine waters of Nelson’s Lake in Mimosa Rocks National Park. This National Park is a 17-metre strip of coast, known for its sea caves and towering rock stacks.

If you’d like to collect your own wild oysters – as well as dive for mussels, crayfish, urchin, and abalone, sign up for the scuba-diving and Ocean to Plate experience at Eden’s Australia’s Coastal Wilderness Adventures. You’ll don a wetsuit and brave the waves to learn all about sustainable collection techniques before preparing the day’s catch for a delicious water-side seafood feast.

Farmers’ Markets

There’s a farmers’ market on almost every day of the week in the “Rainbow Region” – New Brighton on Tuesday, Byron Bay on Thursday, Mullumbimby on Friday and Bangalow on Saturday. At the Byron Farmers’ Market try Chef Roberto Costanzo’s menu at The Nomadic Kitchen; he buys his produce direct from fellow market stallholders and comes up with some really inventive dishes.

Every second Sunday of the month in the Blue Mountains, the town of Blackheath comes alive with the buzz of the local Growers’ Market. Held to support local food producers, visitors will be able to smell, taste and buy local honey, pork from Trunkey Creek and farm-made goat’s cheese.

Pop into the Junee Farmers’ Markets, held the first Sunday of the month, for wine, cheese, olives, honey, meat, and fruit and vegetables all grown and produced locally. While in Junee why not visit the famous Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory for a guided tour to watch their organic licorice and chocolate being made.

A market that wears its ethos on its sleeve is SAGE Farmers’ Market, Moruya. It’s a weekday afternoon market featuring goods grown or made within a 160-km radius. Other South Coast farmers’ markets worth putting on the radar are Bega, Kiama, and Tilba Tilba.

The twice-monthly Dubbo Farmers’ Market draws on farmers and locals from all over the Central West, offering a range of seasonal fresh produce, fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and plants. Other top-notch Country NSW farmers’ markets include Bathurst, Cowra, Mudgee, Orange,and Young.

Farm Gates and Experiences

Download Hawkesbury Harvest’s Farm Gate App for an insider’s guide to farm gate experiences in the Hawkesbury. The fabulous Hawkesbury Harvest farm gate trail has more than 30 farms that welcome visitors. Find seasonal information and opening hours online and plan your visit before you set off. Some farms love you to pick your own, while others will do all the work for you.

At Bucks Farm in Chillingham in the Tweed, stroll around the beautiful bush-tucker garden and learn about Buck’s native finger limes, kaffir lime, lemon myrtle, yuzu fruit and other tropical fruit grown here. Also on the lush North Coast, Valley of the Mist orchard and wetland sanctuary near Macksville is an idyllic setting to learn about bush tucker and taste what’s in season, including the fruits of the lilly pilly, macadamia nuts, lemon and aniseed myrtles, finger limes and Davidson plums. Stock up on jams, chutneys, and dressings made with authentic bush ingredients.

Young is the undisputed cherry capital of Australia and the perfect place to stock up pre-Christmas for your cherry fix. During November and December pick cherries straight off the tree at one of the many orchards around Young, including Hill-Lock Orchard and Allambie Orchard. Plan your trip for early December and you may be lucky to catch the National Cherry Festival, a three-day celebration that involves pie eating, cherry pit spitting and more!

On the Mid-North Coast, you’ll find Near River Produce, a very special farm close to Port Macquarie. Farmer Andrew Hearne encourages guests to dig for their supper at his Meals in the Fields and Breakfast in the Beds events, providing an authentic paddock to plate experience for young and old.

In the spectacular setting of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, there are several options for discovering wild bush tucker. Gain insights into the culture of the local Aboriginal people as you learn about bush tucker and hear Dreamtime stories on a tour with Aboriginal Blue Mountains Walkabout Tours. Or take a botanic journey with an Aboriginal horticulturist at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah.

For more information on NSW food experiences go to visitnsw.com