Central Coast oyster farm tours achieve national ECO Certification with peak Australian body

Recognised as the only ECO Certified oyster farm in New South Wales, the Central Coast’s own Sydney Oyster Farm Tours are thrilled to celebrate the announcement of this state-first achievement. This certification is a testament to Sydney Oyster Farm Tours’ commitment over the past 17 years of operation to sustainable oyster growing and harvesting practices.

Did you know oyster farming is considered one of the most sustainable types of farming compared to other forms of aquaculture? With a very minimal burden on the environment, preserving the ecosystem of the stunning waterways on the Central Coast while offering unique experiences for visitors to enjoy is at the heart of Sydney Oyster Farm Tours’ mission.

By achieving this certification, they are joining forces with other Central Coast ECO Certified operators - known as the region's 'Eco Advocates' - to build a destination filled with sustainable tourism experiences. 

Sitting along the fringe of Mooney Mooney waterways on the Central Coast, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours is a family-owned and operated oyster farm, providing locally grown oysters to the Central Coast and Sydney region for the past 17 years. The oyster farm offers a range of boat and in-water tours and experiences that highlight their farming and cultivation practices and educate guests on the sustainability of oyster farming, all while providing a unique culinary experience.

Their business is committed to social, cultural and environmental responsibility, inspired by the appreciation and consideration for the waterways of the Hawkesbury River. Through carbon sequestration, responsible product and package purchasing, recycling practices and litter management, the Sydney Oyster Farm team are contributing to protecting and preserving our region’s waterways and coastline.

All businesses that commit to their ECO Certification journey are assessed against globally recognised sustainability standards across four pillars: environmental, cultural, and socio-economic impact and sustainable business operations. By achieving ECO Certification status, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours’ guests are guaranteed a unique and authentic sustainable tourism experience, that leaves minimal impact on the environment.

With Sydney Oyster Farm Tours reaching this milestone of official certification, they are one of 25 Eco Advocates on their journey to make the Central Coast, a certified ECO Destination since 2022, a region brimming with sustainable experiences for locals and visitors to embrace.

Committing to being an ECO Certified business is an ongoing journey and for Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, who continue to go from strength to strength in growing their immersive experiences for the eco-traveller, families, couples and more! 

Find out what it takes to pursue the ECO Certification journey.

OYSTER FARM TOUR

Start your Oyster Farm Tour in the heart of Mooney Mooney. During this educational tour, you’ll hop on a boat and take a ride across the stunning Hawkesbury River and visit their oyster leases. You’ll learn how to shuck oysters onboard the boat and taste a dozen oysters, freshly harvested from the lease you visit.

IMMERSIVE IN-WATER DINING EXPERIENCE

Offering the first in-water dining experience at an oyster farm, the ‘Immerse Yourself’ package is a culinary treat. Following a boat tour out to the oyster farm leases, guests will slide into waders and disembark at their newest oyster lease where you will be met by more farmers who will guide you to your in-water table. Get ready to taste 18 freshly shucked oysters from the very waters you are standing in, along with a side of prawns.

OYSTER ELEGANCE EXPERIENCE

During a boat ride out to their oyster leases, you’ll learn about the evolution of oyster farming and see how this oyster farm is sustainably growing and harvesting fresh oysters. From there, you’ll be taken to a secluded beach offering panoramic views of the Hawkesbury, where you’ll feast in a gourmet seafood lunch by the water along with refreshments and master shucking 18 locally grown Sydney Rock and Pacific Oysters.

Book your sustainable oyster farm experience now, direct with the operator.

There’s a long list of sustainability initiatives taking place every day at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, so for a taste here’s some of the highlights we thought were most impressive for future guests:

Combatting carbon emissions, one oyster at a time

Naturally, oysters are doing their part to combat carbon emissions. Due to a process called calcification, oysters filter the carbon ions from seawater and store it within their shell structure. With one oyster being able to filter hundreds of litres of water per day, they are the ultimate contributors to sequestering carbon. By sustainably growing an abundance of oysters, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours are doing their part in this process to reduce carbon emissions.

Keeping it green

Sydney Oyster Farm Tours adopt green purchasing policies that prioritise the purchasing of locally sourced biodegradable and recyclable products with minimal packaging.

Zero waste in our waterways

With their love and appreciation for the water, it’s no surprise that litter management is a priority for this business. During tours, the team encourage guests to leave no trace behind by disposing of waste properly and frequently conduct river clean-ups to keep the waterways pristine.

Sydney Oyster Farm Tours are the 5th successful Central Coast business to achieve their ECO Certification as a participant on the Eco Advocate incentive program since 2022, supported by Destination Central Coast’s award-winning ‘Eco Advocate’ industry incentive program, and delivered in partnership with Ecotourism Australia.

The program aims to drive understanding of sustainable tourism principles across the entire region’s visitor economy as part of the region’s wider ECO Destination certification program.

Huge congratulations to team at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours for promoting sustainable practices on the Central Coast! We expect to hear more about their contribution to respectful, nature-based experiences in future as their business continues to lead the way for sustainable winemaking in our region, inspired by nature.

Get to know more about Sydney Oyster Farm Tours by visiting their dedicated Love Central Coast page and finding out about their latest oyster experiences via their website.

Discover more about ecotourism on the Central Coast by wandering over to explore our ECO Destination guide.